From 'Under the Little Red Moon' to 'The Great Stink' - ETO's operas for children

Russell Hepplewhite: Under the Little Red Moon - Rachel Speirs, Bradley Travis - English Touring Opera

As well as touring its new productions of Rossini's La Cenerentola and Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, English Touring Opera (ETO) has been touring a new opera for babies, Under the Little Red Moon by composer written and directed by Tim Yealland and composed by Russell Hepplewhite. This has just finished its three-month tour, with six performers and eight members of the production and creative teams. They travelled some 910 miles and gave 56 performances in 34 venues to over 2200 audience members with over 960 babies!

Looking ahead, the company returns in the Spring with The Great Stink, a newly commissioned opera for children aged 7-11 written by composer Omar Shahryar and librettist Hannah Khalil. This will be performed to over 6000 children on tour next Spring. Set on the banks of the River Thames in 19th Century London and brought to life by singers, musicians and puppets, The Great Stink will explore the impact of pollution on our waterways and other environmental issues.

Between 28 November and 5 December, ETO is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, which will raise funds to support The Great Stink. The Big Give Christmas Challenge is a match-funding campaign, championed by The Reed Foundation, which will see every donation doubled.  

To find out more see the ETO website.