Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen inspired by a comic strip in his local paper is the perfection introduction to opera for younger audiences. Janáček brought his unique vision to this captivating tale of a mischievous young vixen Sharp-Ears who, having been captured by a Forester to become his family’s pet, eventually manages to escape back into the wild only to be shot while defending her cubs. By turns funny and profound, the opera features a host of colourful characters including hens, a dragonfly and a badger, and a playful score brimming with folk-infused melodies.
Originally a Scottish Opera/ Welsh National Opera co-production, Sir David Pountney’s interpretation of Janáček’s work is widely regarded as a classic. Andrew Gourlay conducts a cast which sees a host of singers making a welcome return to the Opera North stage.
The Cunning Little Vixen will be offered as a schools’ matinee both in Leeds and on tour to give upper KS2 and KS3 pupils the chance to experience live opera in the theatre, many for the first time. A learning pack linked to various subjects in the curriculum will provide information and resources for teachers to use in the classroom before their visit, and schools will have the option to attend an online interactive music and drama workshop early in the year to explore the score, plot and characters with a vocal animateur and drama practitioner from the company’s Education team.
Taking Janáček’s opera as its inspiration, a family-friendly show Little Listeners: Mini Vixen has also been created to give all ages a chance to experience live music and storytelling in relaxed and welcoming settings. A cast of professional opera singers and musicians will take the audience on a fun-filled adventure in the forest as a vixen and fox discover that working together achieves far more than going it alone. The show will tour throughout the North with performances already planned in Alnwick, Cumbria, Dewsbury, Doncaster, Halifax, Hull, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Salford Quays, Wakefield and York.
The Cunning Little Vixen at Leeds Grand 17 & 23 February & 3 & 4 March. Then Hull New Theatre 29 & 31 March.
Production pictures by Tristram Kenton
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