Writing the music for our Horse Opera.

A mythic tale of love, death, lust, beauty, peace, joy AND horses. (It is Opera after all!)

Does the very thought of Opera make you want to run screaming in the opposite direction? Have no fear! For us the word simply sums up our promise to you to produce sublimely  beautiful music to be sung by amazing professional singers as well as amateur singers, and local choirs. In our Opera, horses will be given "centre stage" (although we will be working outside in the landscape for the final production, so no stage at all, we plan to debut in Cornwall in 2025). 

This unusual project is creating an opportunity for its audiences and participants to experience a wonderful connection to nature and in particular, horses. Our story aims for us to consider some compelling questions about the way we as humans exist alongside nature.

"What if horses know of a deep spiritual truth that humans could learn to share? What if it was possible to understand a common idea? What if all animals can and do respond to vibrations that are tangible to humans?" Our ethos is not to tell our horses what to do but rather to be led by their ideas. We will listen with their ears and look with their eyes, to glimpse the harmony of present moment together. 

We have already created the framework creatively for bringing the Horse Opera to production, we have held several workshops and recently held a pop-up creative residence at the first Falmouth International Arts Festival. Our amazing composer Matt Thomason is inspired both by the horses he has met so far and by our magical story. 

Whilst Covid 19 has held us up a little, we are taking the time it takes to explore every beautiful step along the way. "FEAST" and "Hall for Cornwall" have both assisted us with small grants which have been the backbone of our funding so far, but mainly we have had "in kind" support from the amazing people who want to see our project come to fruition, now we need to compose our score and for that we need your help!

Our small but mighty Company comprises: 

Alison Zuend, a truly inspiring horsewoman, her work with her own horses at liberty is breathtaking. She is one of only 3 level four Parelli (Natural Horsemanship) instructors in the UK (the highest level), her husband David being one of the others! Colin Seddon, musician and lecturer at Plymouth College of Further Education has worked with Kneehigh Theatre and Wildworks. Elaine Claxton, actor, singer and poet brings all her formidable skills to the table. David Zuend, is internationally renowned for his work starting many hundreds of horses as a young horse specialist. Matthew Thomason, musician and composer, his collaborative work on a series of short films during lockdown with Robert Mennear, dancer and dance teacher at Hall for Cornwall and another of our team, brought him sharply into focus during 2021 and Janine Falle, who conceived the story and the project invited him to join the growing band of talented creators. Shelley Claxton, film maker, drama teacher and life long horse woman has an almost spiritual connection with horses, she is currently studying the Trust technique to become a practitioner. Sue Hill, previously of Kneehigh Theatre and co-founder of Wildworks Theatre has always wanted to create a piece of work with horses, she has loved and drawn them since childhood. Last but most definitely not least, Suzie West, wonderful dancer, teacher and creator. And of course  the wonderful small herd of horses that join us for our work, Golden, Harry, Yellow, Hugo, Shaun, Gypsy, Merlin, Tao, Frank, Mouse and Joker.

The final production will include many more professional and amateur musicians, dancers, actors as well as horse handlers, both professional and amateur. It is planned that the debut performance will take place in 2025 in Cornwall but we will be holding pilot performances in the run up to which our supporters will be given opportunities to participate and attend.

Please join hands with us as we pursue our fantastic adventure to create Cornwall's first Horse Opera.