RAISE YOUR VOICE, JERSEY! OPERA

Raise Your Voice, Jersey! is an ambitious new project redefining opera through co-creation right here in Jersey.

ArtHouse Jersey is collaborating with Jersey-born mezzo-soprano Georgia Mae Bishop to produce a groundbreaking new opera with, by, and for the people of Jersey. This isn't your traditional approach to opera - this is about rediscovering opera as a contemporary art form that belongs to everyone. This project will uncover the playful, heartfelt, and surprising ways opera brings stories to life, connecting Jersey’s young professionals with a stellar team of visiting creatives. Throughout 2025, this vibrant project will blend storytelling, music, and drama to create something truly innovative, resonant, and uniquely ours.

Join us to co-create a brand-new opera for the Island

Ever wondered how opera, musicals, or theatre is made? Now’s your chance to be at the heart of the creative process! Join a team of leading industry professionals and play a key role in shaping an entirely new opera for Jersey. From being part of the very first conversations to the final performance, this is your opportunity to explore, experiment, and have your say on the stories that take centre stage.

ArtHouse Jersey is calling upon anyone aged 18-30 to join a series of workshops between Saturday 29 March and Sunday 6 April 2025. Whether you're into writing, music, theatre, singing, storytelling, or are just looking for a new creative experience, this is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with the creative team during their writing residency at ArtHouse Jersey, and see your ideas come to life on stage.

This is your chance to help shape a bold and fresh take on opera, where Jersey’s people, landscapes, history, and legends will become the foundation for something truly unique. The final production will premiere in March 2026 at Jersey Opera House, performed by a cast of professional artists and local performers who will be recruited at the end of the year.

Who is this for?

Absolutely anyone aged 18-30! No previous experience is needed. Whether you’re a writer, singer, storyteller, or simply curious, your voice matters. You can come to a single session or be part of the full journey. Every contribution, big or small, will help shape the story, music, and themes of the final production.

Why get involved?

This project is about more than just the performing arts - it’s about community, creativity, and connection. By taking part, you will:  

• Gain insight into how new work is created with guidance from top professionals.

• Develop skills in storytelling, composition, drama, and performance.

• Boost your confidence, creativity, and teamwork skills.

• Be part of a groundbreaking project that celebrates Jersey’s culture.

• See your ideas come to life on stage at the Jersey Opera House in 2026!

We believe in the power of the arts to improve overall well-being and provide young people with new opportunities. Whether you’re in full-time work, an apprenticeship, an internship, or are still figuring things out, this project is for you. No experience is necessary - just curiosity and an open mind!

Why opera and why now?

Opera isn’t just about grand arias and powdered wigs - it’s about storytelling and bringing communities together through shared experiences. It blends music, drama, movement, and design to bring stories to life in ways that are deeply emotional, playful, and resonant. 

Raise Your Voice, Jersey! will explore:  

Place – This Place, Now

How do we capture the rhythm of Jersey? From the eerie beauty of Fliquet Bay at low tide to the fast-paced energy of the International Finance Centre, music can transport us anywhere.  

People – Rebels, Refugees & Local Heroes

From Neolithic settlers to WWII resistance fighters, Jersey has always been shaped by extraordinary people. But does every story need a hero and a villain?  

Storytelling – Myth, Mystery & Memory

The Island is full of legends, ghost stories, and hidden histories. How do these shape how we see the world today?  

By joining this project, you will help celebrate and preserve Jersey’s stories and culture while gaining new creative skills and a sense of accomplishment from co-creating this unique opera with a team of seasoned professionals.  

Meet the Creative Team

Join a stellar team of opera professionals leading this journey:  

• Creative Director & Librettist – Georgia Mae Bishop: Internationally acclaimed Jersey-born opera singer (Opera North, English National Opera).  

• Composer – Lucy Armstrong: A rising star in contemporary composition (Glyndebourne, Royal Opera House).  

• Head of Music – Ashley Beauchamp: Conductor and pianist (Glyndebourne, Waterperry Opera Festival).  

• Movement Director – Cecilia Stinton: Stage director with a flair for dynamic storytelling (Opera Holland Park, Spectra Ensemble).

Schedule

Join in a way that suits you. You can:

• Start from the beginning and attend the first session to help define key ideas and themes.

• Drop in to a later session to explore and shape emerging narratives, mood, and characters. 

• Stay for the full ride by experiencing the full creative process, from early ideas to collaborative composition. 

DATES

• Friday 28 March, 18:30-20:00 – Meet the Creative Team  

• Saturday 29 March, 10:00-17:00 – Writing & Composition Sessions  

• Sunday 30 March, 10:00-17:00 – Storytelling & Character Development  

• Wednesday 2 April, 18:30-20:30 – Evening Creative Session  

• Saturday 5 April, 10:00-17:00 – Refining the Narrative  

• Sunday 6 April, 10:00-13:00 – Bringing it Together

Choose your level of commitment! Whether you come for one session or dive in for the whole journey, your voice will directly shape this opera. To get the most out of the experience, we recommend attending the first Saturday, if possible, where the team will give an introduction to how we are approaching opera as an artform, and this project.

Details

Location: ArtHouse Jersey’s Greve de Lecq Barracks in Studio 1 & 2

Free to attend – places are limited! Register now via Eventbrite to secure your spot.

For more information, contact Producer Robyn Cabaret at robyn@arts.je.

Raise your voice. Tell your story. Help create Jersey’s newest opera.