More than 1,000 Gloucestershire children to experience opera in person

The Longborough Festival Opera is bringing its Playground Opera project to 14 schools across Gloucestershire, Oxford, and Warwickshire until Friday, February 7.

The initiative aims to introduce the art form to children who might not otherwise have the chance to experience it.

This year, the programme will see more than 1,000 pupils introduced to opera.

The project, now in its fourth year, has become a part of Longborough's mission to make opera accessible to everyone.

The 2025 production is a retelling of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, renamed The Implausible Potions of Dr Dulcamara.

It is a story filled with love, humour, and a touch of magic, specifically adapted for young audiences.

The show features an impressive cast, including Katherine McIndoe as Adina, Tobias Campos Santinaque as Nemorino, and Sam Young playing the roles of Belcore and Dr Dulcamara.

The creative team behind the production includes set designer Harry Pizzey, stage manager Henry Beach, and assistant stage manager Adam Music.

The programme extends beyond simply performing opera in schools.

It includes hands-on workshops, in which the Longborough education team helps pupils to explore the opera's themes.

The children are encouraged to think about their own choices and even have the opportunity to rewrite parts of the story.

The day concludes with a performance where the pupils join the professional cast.

Emma Campbell, Longborough’s head of learning and participation, said: "Our mission is to break down barriers to opera and bring it to children who may never have encountered it otherwise.

"Playground Opera introduces pupils to the power of music, storytelling, and collaboration, helping to build confidence, spark creativity, and expand horizons.

"We’re so proud to offer this experience to over 1,000 young people this year."

For more information, visit lfo.org.uk.