A new opera for Newbury

“It’s not every day you get asked to write an opera,” says Newbury composer Edward Lambert; “which is a good job, because the challenge is enormous!”

He has, however, written 13 to date, and is now writing a new, purpose-built work for Kennet Opera who will be performing it in the autumn.

Opera has come a long way since it was ‘invented’ in Italy over 400 years ago. If, at first, it was the preserve of a wealthy elite, grand opera quickly spread to public theatres all over Italy and beyond. Since it brings together music and song, drama and poetry, scenery and spectacle, opera has plenty of fans. Kennet Opera was founded in 1994 to bring opera to Newbury and to give local singers and musicians the chance to participate.

“Most of my operas have been short and small-scale,” says Ed, “simply to keep the cost down. The opera world has moved with the times, becoming much more relevant, inclusive and wide-ranging in recent years."

The new work is called Swellfellow the Tyrant and is based on a play by the poet Shelley inspired by the political upheavals of 1820. The establishment, reeling from country-wide unrest, sided with King George IV in his battle with his wife, Queen Caroline, from whom he wanted a divorce. She, on the contrary, became a figurehead for social reformers.

Shelley’s play satirises these events, drawing on Greek drama, pantomime and commedia dell’arte. It has plenty of choruses which portray the oppressed working class and, apart from the slothful, corpulent King and the triumphant Queen, there are also sleazy ministers, rowdy parliamentarians and stalking paparazzi - the story seems strangely familiar. There's a star appearance for a female Minotaur so altogether it sounds like there’ll be lots of fun in this new work. 2022 marks the bicentenary of Shelley’s death.

Kennet Opera chairman Jim Mitchell says: “We are very excited to be part of this innovative project to create an original work for our company and we can't wait to begin rehearsals next week.”

Edward Lambert conducts Swellfellow the Tyrant on November 17, 18, 19 at Arlington Arts.

Kennet Opera welcomes new members, contact secretary@kennetopera.co.uk