St Pancras Station To Become Opera Stage On International Women’s Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022 the Royal Opera House will present Lost and Found, a series of new train-themed micro-operas created by women composers and librettists, at London’s St Pancras International Station.

Features new train-themed micro-operas by women composers

On 8 March 2022, from 11am to 6pm, St Pancras Station will be transformed into an opera stage for the free pop-up performances. The seven newly commissioned micro-operas, based on anecdotes submitted by the public exploring the themes of train travel, time, motion, meetings and farewells, were selected by the Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme (JPYA). The operas will be sung by rising stars of the opera world and accompanied by musicians from Belgium’s Caso Phil chamber orchestra.

The works include Georgia Barnes and Olivia Bell’s Everything You Carry, and Rose Hall and Katie Colombus’ It’s The Little Things at the Eurostar Terminal; Laura Reid and Oge Nwosu’s Detritus at the National Rail Service departure boards; and Sarah Lianne Lewis and Sophia Chapadjiev’s The Parting Place, Joanna Taylor and Kerry Priest’s I Just Wanna Be (in Center Parcs), Anna Braithwaite and Kerry Priest’s The Hardest Journey, and Victoria Bernath and Teresa Howard’s Mini Break beneath the station’s iconic statue The Meeting Place.

Inspired by personal stories submitted by the public

“It has been a privilege to read the personal stories that were shared with us for this project, and watch them inspire seven new works in different styles and approaches,” said JPYA producer Angelique MacDonald. “Opera is an innately human art form and it’s hugely exciting to be able to perform such relatable work with Caso Phil at St Pancras International.”

“We are so excited for St Pancras International to be the backdrop for the latest Lost and Found performances, straight off the Eurostar,” added Wendy Spinks, Commercial Director at HS1. “There will no doubt be many interesting and entertaining stories from travellers who pass through train stations, and we can’t wait to see them brought to life through the magic and beauty of opera.”

The opera performances at St Pancras Station on International Women’s Day are presented in collaboration with site-performance specialists Curated Place, offering London’s commuters and long-haul travellers the chance to pause, reflect and enjoy a moment of art and connection in an unlikely place.

Lost and Found is part of the Europalia Arts Festival, reaching European railway stations including Antwerp Central Station, Brussels Central Station, and, in May 2022, Rotterdam Central Station.

For more information click here.

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