BambinO
An operatic adventure for 6 to 18 month olds.
A co-production with Manchester International Festival and Scottish Opera
This unique and colourful work for infants aged 6 to 18 months reinvents operatic language and traditions for children at an age when their minds are wide open to new sounds, images and experiences. Babies are free to explore during the performance, interacting with singers, musicians and each other. We hope adults might find new ways of enjoying music too – through the ears of their bambini!
“It is inspiring to create a new opera for what is possibly the most discerning – and important – audience there is. We all know that babies respond to music and we want to nurture and stimulate that relationship through their very first opera.” - Phelim McDermott
Synopsis:
BambinO follows a bird, called Uccellina, who discovers an egg. It hatches, revealing a baby bird called Pulcino. He explores the world. Uccellina is initially overjoyed, though passingly annoyed at his hyperactive behaviour! The pair reconcile quickly, elated to have found each other.
Uccellina tells Pulcino of the sky and its wonders, and that it is his destiny to fly the nest. Although saddened at the thought of being separated, they are soon caught up in the excitement of his imminent flight. Ready to take to the skies, the birds sing a final duet of farewell. Pulcino takes flight and soars among the clouds, and Uccellina ponders his journey.
Creative Team:
Composer: Lliam Paterson
Music Director: Chris Gray
Original Director: Phelim McDermott
Revival Director: Lissa Lorenzo
Original Designers: Emma & Giuseppi Belli
Previous Creative Team:
Composer: Lliam Paterson
Director: Phelim McDermott
Designers: Giuseppe Belli & Emma Belli
Performers:
Uccellina: Charlotte Hoather
Pulcino: Sam Pantcheff
Cello: Andrew Drummond Huggan
Percussion: Darren Gallacher
Previous Performers:
Soprano: Charlotte Hoather, Hazel McBain
Baritone: Timothy Connor, Samuel Pantcheff
Cello: Laura Sergeant, Andrew Drummond Huggan
Percussion: Stuart Semple, Michael D Clark
Upcoming performances:
Previous performances:
BambinO was first performed in 2017 at Manchester International Festival, Edinburgh Fringe and Scottish Opera, Glasgow. After runs in Paris and New York, BambinO returned to Edinburgh Fringe, followed by a tour of Scotland.
Press:
“Full marks to BambinO, opera can work for babies and maybe one day they'll come to enjoy it as adults too.”
★★★★★ The Arts Desk
“A complete delight on every level.”
★★★★★ The Herald
“The pay-off for an initiative like this is incalculable... rarely has innocent pleasure felt more vital.”
★★★★ The Observer
“The joy of something like this is watching the joy in your little one's face.”
★★★★ Manchester Evening News
