Why commission an opera ?

“As long as we live, there is never enough singing” - Martin Luther King

Planning the choir’s 50th anniversary celebrations began when I took over as Musical Director in 2001. Having been a long-standing member of FCMG myself, I was fortunate enough to have taken part in a number of performances of Britten’s Noyes Fludde, most notably at the Royal Festival Hall, St George’s Chapel, Windsor and at the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms. The opera has been at the heart of FCMG’s music-making since 1958 when the choir was founded, and is a piece that I feel I grew up with. Very aware of the aims and aspirations of the choir’s founders, it was clear that the most fitting way to celebrate the achievements of FCMG was to commission a number of works that would showcase the talents of the choir from composers that understood how to write for the voice, and how to musically challenge and engage young singers and musicians. I wanted to start the choir’s next 50 years in the same vein as its first, with a new opera that would bring together every member of FCMG with other young musicians, professional singers and instrumentalists.

To mark our 50th anniversary we commissioned two major song cycles for children’s choir from composers John Pickard (Songs of Rain and Sea with text by Sigrn Davdsdttir) and James Weeks (Hototogisu, a setting of 17 Haiku written by the great Japanese post Basho). These were premiered at St Pancras Church, London, in July 2008 and were given their second performance the following January at Kings Place. Both were very well received and the choir formed a strong relationship with both pieces very early on in the rehearsal process.

Historically FCMG has tackled social and political issues through opera or other semi-staged pieces (Britten’s Children’s Crusade and Williamson’s Julius Caesar Jones for example), and it felt right that this 50th anniversary commission should do the same. Composed by Malcolm Singer with libretto by Nick Toczek, The Jailer’s Tale discusses issues of the day that performers and audience members of all ages can relate to. Opera is a strong vehicle for communication, and as such, we are able to explore a wide spectrum of issues and emotions in a way that perhaps we are unable to with other musical genres when writing for young voices. The Jailer’s Tale is a powerful piece and offers vocal, musical and dramatic challenges to all our members. FCMG draws in children from all walks of life from all over London and the neighbouring counties, with one major thing in common – a desire to sing and perform, and a thirst for learning music. Rehearsing the opera and giving performances in North London and Surrey will offer a strong bonding experience for our members, encourage deeper relationships with local schools, and broaden our links within the musical community.

Noyes Fludde made a lasting impression on me as a musician, singer and performer. I am confident that The Jailer’s Tale will similarly inspire the many talented young singers at FCMG today.

Grace Rossiter, Musical Director