Red Hat Opera are proud to have collaborated with Streetwise Opera on the project Blue Shangri-La , which was inspired by the work of the composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. It was created using improvisational techniques that allow one to create freely.
Streetwise Opera is an award-winning performing arts charity, using creativity and singing to inspire and empower people who are experiencing homelessness and recovering from homelessness.
Blue Shangri-La is a collaboration between participants at both Red Hat Opera and Streetwise Opera, taking place at the Southbank Centre. They got together to devise a collection of poems, songs and graphic scores that were fundamental to the performance which was based on the opera Donnerstag (meaning Thursday in German). In this opera, the main protagonist, Michael, visits some countries and cities from around the world, including: New York City, Japan, India, Africa and finally the point of arrival – which we called ‘Blue Shangri-La’. The group created improvisational pieces based on the sensations of travelling to each of these places, led by a ‘conductor’ from the group. You can listen to the improvisations here:
The graphic scores used to inspire improvised vocalisation
And here are some examples of collaborative and individual writing from the devising sessions:
Group poem:
I’m going somewhere – a break from my everyday reality. Feeling free, leaving behind all baggage; cares and worries fade. Meeting new friends, experience new cultures, new places, the sea, nature. New perspective of life and inner peace. At last we will live free.
Individual poems:
I couldn’t wait for the time to start my tour, what a perfect sunny day for my best travel. Surprised and happy to see a clear sky, and a beautiful shore like that. I’ll freeze time here in this beautiful place, and never lose it.
Melancholic. Impeded. Forlorn. Solitary. Pensive. Philosophical. Stayed too long. Time has come to venture forth whatever tomorrow brings. Leaving behind my old ‘skin’, not fearing cold weather. My fears as a fantasy; I was welcomed, I was reborn. There will be a purpose. Time has become so precious.
The end of the journey:
What you’re looking for is right where you’re standing. It’s been here all along, though it’s your gaze that has changed. You’ve changed your spectacles and cleared the smudged window. Perhaps the place changes as your perspective does. Find your perspective and you’ll find your place.
Red Hat Opera Workshop 