Cycle Opera

Two-wheel soprano heads for Scunthorpe

Published: March 28, 2011 at 8:39 am

Always wondered what would happen when two wheels met opera? Of course you have. This just in on a new 'Cycle Opera'…



The wheels are in motion for a project which will see opera and cycling coalesce and be celebrated in ‘Cycle Opera’. The project has been commissioned as part of imove, the Legacy Trust UK programme for Yorkshire. ‘Cycle Opera’, which is supported by North Lincolnshire Council, will see more than 2,000 performers, singers and cyclists take to the stage for a large scale community opera to be held in Scunthorpe on 14-15 July 2012.



Imove brings together the best creative talent from the region to produce a programme of events designed to inspire the public in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. ‘Cycle Opera’ unites Olympic ideals with the themes of human movement, bringing together arts and sports in the home town of cycling legend Albert ‘Lal’ White who won an Olympic silver medal in 1920.



The opera’s story will centre on local hero Lal White, a steel worker from Scunthorpe whose tale is little-known outside the area. Lal embodies the principles of the Olympic movement, working in the back-breaking steel works and then training and cycling to rise above the ordinary; to go faster, reach higher and become stronger, ultimately pushing himself to the reward of a silver Olympic medal in the 1920 games held in Antwerp. ‘Cycle Opera’ will celebrate the beauty of cycling, highlighting Scunthorpe as a place where creative and exciting events happen, while also creating a legacy across the local community.



An extensive outreach programme over the next 16 months will culminate in two performances of the new opera on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July 2012 and the weekend will also see two days of family friendly festival activities including street theatre, art exhibitions and a mobile skate park.



More at www.imoveand.com