Opens: 5 June 2012
Closes: 23 July 2012
Composing for opera doesn’t have to be scary. That’s why we’re swinging the Coliseum doors open and handing the chief job over to you – yes, you!
We’ve picked the best entries from the scriptwriting round and now we want you to compose a soundtrack, based on those words.
Here’s what we want you to do. Read the scripts below and pick the one that interests you most. Then compose a soundtrack for a 5-7 minute opera based on that story. When it comes to inspiration, anything goes: You can compose anything you like, using any sounds you like! You’ll see from the example soundtracks that you’re free to make any changes or additions or deletions you see fit to make the story your own.
In July we’ll pick the best tracks to go through to the next round. Those soundtracks will become the seeds that we will ask people to make a film for in the next competition.
At the end of the Mini Operas competition we’ll choose three lucky people to participate in a new mentoring scheme with Jeremy Sams, Nico Muhly or Leo Warner.
But for now, just get composing. You’ve got until 23 July to compose your own track and enter it via Soundcloud on our online form.
If you’re stuck on how to approach them, don’t panic. We’ve enlisted the help of three talented composers – Sxip Shirey, Bill Ryder-Jones and Bishi – who have each recorded their musical interpretations of each seed story. You might choose to do something completely different – it’s up to you. We’ll be adding more expert help to the site so come back soon for further inspiration.
