Sheffield school children embrace opera world premiere
“They are so proud of what they have created and are really excited to perform”
The exciting world premiere of a children’s opera starring Sheffield school children is taking place next week as part of a city festival.
‘Henny Penny’, by acclaimed composer Julian Philips, will be performed live for the first time during Music in the Round’s Sheffield Chamber Music Festival on Saturday, May 23.
Children in Years 4 & 5 from Meynell Primary School in Wadsley Bridge will bring the adaptation of the famous folk tale to life, alongside award-winning soprano Claire Booth.
Original songs created by Year 5 students at Mundella Primary School in Norton Lees as part of a composition project will also premiere in the same concert at the Crucible Playhouse.
Ellen Sargen, composer and project leader for this Music in the Round event, said: “All of the children have embraced this project. They are so proud of what they have created and are really excited to perform.
“The really thrilling element is that they have the opportunity to practice and perform with world-class professional musicians and singers, including Claire Booth.
“This is an opera, and the youngsters have taken on board the storytelling side of this project.
“There’s been a lot of joy in seeing the children bring their ideas and stories to life.
“When you hear their voices you can tell just how seriously they are taking it.”
The project originated thanks to Music in the Round’s work in schools with their visiting string quartet, the Consone Quartet.
It has involved more than 180 children across the two schools.
Composer Julian Philips is attending the premiere of ‘Henny Penny’, which is about a young chicken who believes the sky is falling in when an acorn lands on its head. An original ‘song cycle’ created by Mundella Primary School’s pupils is also being premiered, based on a reimagining of the folk tale Hansel and Gretel, called ‘Rumours’.
Ellen added: “We hope the legacy of the project is that these children will continue enjoying singing and coming up with creative ways to tell stories.
“But also that they come and see chamber music, as well as opera, in the future and remain excited by it.”
The concert will be the penultimate event in the 43rd Sheffield Chamber Music Festival, which runs from 15-23 May.
Claire Booth, winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Singer of the Year 2025, is the Festival’s Guest Curator and has woven a storytelling theme throughout the programme.
Other highlights include superstar jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock (16 May), actor Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls, Amandaland, Great Pottery Throw Down, Traitors Ireland) (18 May), BAFTA-winning, GRAMMY-winning pianist Christopher Glynn (19 May) and folk star Miranda Rutter, in collaboration with Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron (20 May).
Tickets start at £5.
See the full programme, and book all events, at https://musicintheround.co.uk