Uploaded February 2011 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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A Chamber Opera by Alexander Campkin
Libretto by Lewis Reynolds
Arcola Theatre, London
Grimeborn Annual Contemporary Opera Festival

Vanessa Bowers - Rose, older sister
Danae Eleni - Laura, younger sister
Kelvin Ola-Ayoade - Daniel, the boy
Lewis Reynolds - Director

'This story is an adaptation of an old Flemish folk-tale. The tale is about a boy, Daniel, whose experience of war turns his heart to stone. The boy doesn't know what love is, or beauty, or any of that. But he hears, and wants to know. He meets a mysterious character who promises him he can have love, but he has to take it, for himself, from the heart of a girl, with a sickle. The man teaches Daniel a song to draw the girl to him, and to call out her heart.'

Musicalis Ensemble, conducted by Alexander Campkin
Kimon Pallikaropoulos - Piano
Elaine Ruby & Victoria Kerby - Clarinets

Stage Manager - Roland Reynolds
Set Designer - Laurie Bamon
Lighting Designer - Max Pappenheim
Costume Designer - Eleanor Reynolds
Archive Recordings - Thea Stevenson
Photography - Kim Sheard