A Christ­mas Miracle

A new opera by Errollyn Wallen

A Christmas Miracle is a new opera for children, adults and professional artists by The Master of the King’s Music, Errollyn Wallen. It has been developed by Mahogany Opera, co-produced by Britten Pears Arts and supported by Jubilee Opera and Orkney Music and Culture. The world premiere performances will take place in Orford Church, where, in 1958, Britten’s visionary community opera Noye’s Fludde was premiered. A Christmas Miracle will then travel to Errollyn Wallen’s home of Orkney for performances in St. Magnus Cathedral.

Inspired by Britten’s unrealised plans for his intergenerational community opera of the Christmas Story (titled A Christmas Sequence), and using text from the Chester Mystery Plays, the new opera by Errollyn Wallen includes special settings of much-loved Christmas carols for everyone to sing along with. A Christmas Miracle is designed to be bespoke for each performance; the production will tour with a small professional cast (4 singers and 10 instrumentalists) and production team, which will work with a large community cast of around 80-100 participants of varying ages, backgrounds and skills in each location.

This new community opera is a compelling re-telling of the Christmas story for the 21^st century. The work builds on the fundamental principles established by Britten in Noye’s Fludde, and responds to today’s approaches to co-creation, accessibility and sustainability. The story will run from the Annunciation and the Journey to Bethlehem, through to the Slaying of the Innocents and the Flight into Egypt. Wallen brings her rich and unique sound world to a dynamic retelling of the Christmas story which remains relevant with its universal themes of taking refuge, navigating the forces of jealousy and power, and the wonder of birth.

Tickets will go on general sale on Saturday 8 August.