Nature
Streetwise Opera Manchester
Thank you for attending our Nature performance!
Today’s event was co-created by participants in Streetwise Opera’s weekly singing and creative workshops at the Manchester Central Library Over the last six months, performers have been reflecting and doing research about the environment and the climate emergency, as they rewrite the words to some of the loveliest nature-inspired pieces from the world of opera.
Inspired by memories of towering forests, glistening rockpools and the moon’s quiet pull over the tides, Nature invites audiences to experience the climate crisis not as an abstract issue, but as something deeply personal.
With music by Handel, Delibes, Dvořák, Rimsky-Korsakov and Britten, this project enables people with lived experience of homelessness to raise their voices for climate justice. Besides the performance at Castlefield Viaduct and Manchester museum, there are similar events in Nottingham and London. Find out more.
Running order
Chorus of the Birds. From Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera The Snow Maiden (1881)
Winter is breaking, now Spring is awaking
And soon no icy winds will be blowing.
Rainclouds are clearing, the sun is appearing
And flowers in the earth start regrowing.
We had fled south to warmer lands,
The pattern of our yearly migration.
We’ve returned, as the time commands,
So we can join the Spring celebration.
Winter’s had its annual runtime
(always such a glum time)
Now the world’s in need of a fun time
Let’s bring back the sunshine!
Ah!
Winter is breaking, now Spring is awaking
And soon no icy winds will be blowing
Rainclouds are clearing, the sun is appearing
And flowers in the earth start regrowing.
Winter-time is over
Winter-time is over
Winter-time is over!
NARRATION: The birds have returned from their winter migration, ready to build their nests among the trees and retake their place in the circle of nature by helping to spread pollen between flowers. But the flowers are in danger as the climate changes and their habitats are destroyed – these beautiful blossoms may not last forever.
Flower duet. From by Léo Delibes’ opera Lakme (1883).
Roses, Tulips, Sunflowers and Bluebells
Daffodils, Chrysanthemums,
Marigolds and Buttercups
Save our flowers!
Plant bulbs and seeds
They give us,
What we need!
Roses, Tulips, Sunflowers and Bluebells
Daffodils, Chrysanthemums,
Marigolds and Buttercups
NARRATION: As night falls, and the beauty of the universe’s stars fills the darkness, the Moon shines down. Is it a sign of hope? The world prays – for love, for peace, for a better future.
Song To The Moon. From Antonín Dvořák’s opera Rusalka (1901).
Silvery moon in the velvet sky,
Your light shines far in the heavens
Over the world wandering
Gazing in people’s dwellings
Moon for a while
Please stay with me
Tell me oh where is my love?
Moonlight oh stay with me, stay with me
Please tell me where is my love where?
Tell him, oh tell him, silver moon
I am here, for him, waiting here for him
If by chance he dreams of me
Let the thought of me wake him
Moonlight oh stay with me
Stay with me moonlight
Oh… stay with me
NARRATION: Feel the breeze and the rain, listen to the hum of the bees. The beauty of nature is everywhere. Just imagine how beautiful the planet could be, if we take care of it – if we take the time to learn how to nurture and protect responsibly. What a paradise we could imagine and create.
Where’er you walk. From George Frideric Handel’s opera Serse (1738).
Come, walk with me
And feel the gentle breeze
Trees overheard
Will put your mind at ease
Trees overhead will put your mind at ease
On every path
You won’t be on your own
Breeze will guide so you don’t feel alone
Leaves on each tree
And birds singing freely
Look where you go
The beauty’s clear to see
All nature blooming,
All nature blooming
And here I’m feeling free (x3)
Come, walk with me
And feel the gentle breeze
Trees overheard
Will put your mind at ease
Trees overhead put your mind at ease
NARRATION: There is still hope, if we do listen and we do act. Open your eyes: nature has a force of its own. It must be saved for future generations. How would you feel if you woke up and everything was gone? Next time the birds return from their migration, what will they find?
Credits
Performers: Allan, Andy, Anita, Brian, Catherine, Chloe, Claire, Debbie, Farah, Gemma, Kris, Liz, Lucy (RNCM), Mark, Martin, Phillip, Ricky, Saeed, Sirus (RNCM), Stephen, Terry.
Artistic team: Jonathan Ainscough, Marie Claire Breen, Matthew Roughley.
Producer: Anoushka Gordon.
Support workers: Martim Pocinho, Jonathan Kilcourse.
Frontline homelessness work: As part of Nature, we worked with Back on Track and Albert Kennedy Trust, two homelessness support centres in Manchester, with sessions led by harpist Rachael Gladwin and composer Michael Betteridge. Read more here.
Artistic partners: Manchester Central Library, Castlefield Viaduct (National Trust), Manchester Museum.
Get involved
How to plant your seeded paper
1. In Spring/Summer, when it’s warm, soak paper in water and tear into small pieces
2. Place in a pot of compost and very lightly sprinkle more compost on top
3. Keep the soil and paper moist (but not soaking wet) in a warm and light environment
4. Once your small plants have grown, place pot outside or keep on a window that has lots of sun
Nature is fragile – do not plant in the wild; suitable for gardens & windows only.