Garsington Opera’s Youth Company performed in the world premiere of The Happy Princess, a new commission written specially for the Company by composer Paul Fincham, with a libretto by Jessica Duchen (Silver Birch, 2017). Based on Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince, the title role was sung by professional soprano Lara Marie Müller, winner of the 2017 Simon Sandbach Award. There were a number of solo roles for the Youth Company which consists of 80 young people aged 9 to 21 from the local area. The performance was conducted by Jonathon Swinard, Garsington’s Head of Music, with Karen Gillingham (director), Suzi Zumpe (vocal director) and Ruth Paton (designer).
The Happy Princess & A Fool’s Paradise. Image: Garsington Opera
The Happy Princess & A Fool’s Paradise. Image: Garsington Opera
“Nowhere is our passion more evident than in our outreach team, so brilliantly led by Karen Gillingham”
Douglas Boyd, artistic director of GO and Nicola Creed, executive director
Karen Gillingham 