Last year, Opera Tutti, Welsh National Opera’s immersive multi-sensory concert for those with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), reached nearly 500 young people across Wales, Southwest England and the East Midlands. Opera Tutti has been designed to tour to PMLD schools due to the barriers faced by these young people when accessing conventional concerts, including travel, venue space and performance length.
The one-hour concert is designed for a small group of young people with PMLD and their support staff. Seated in a circle, singers move around the space, interacting with the audience throughout. At times, the instrumentalists also get to their feet to perform up close to the young people. Each concert begins with a ‘Hello’ song, a poignant moment where the musicians greet everyone by name, setting the tone for the interactive, person-centred performance.
The repertoire, including the works of Verdi, Mozart and Schubert, gives young people a broad musical experience, including the opportunity to hear the full ensemble of nine singers and musicians, as well as individual voices and instruments. Sensory props, costumes, lights, and aromas complement the performance, helping young people interpret the narrative of the music. With the seasons as the theme, the concert begins with the gentle awakening of spring, building to a joyful summer, followed by the stormy discord of Autumn and finally a restful winter. This theme is a deliberate mechanism ensuring that the tempo and intensity of the performance are gradual, avoiding any upset of those sensitive to sudden sounds and actions.
Feedback from the staff who support the young people with PMLD is incredibly moving and positive, noting that they are seeing them react in ways they’ve never seen before. Here are a few extracts:
Such amazing levels of enjoyment and communication from our young people. One student who communicates through making continual noises was quiet as he was so interested in the opera. Just amazing.
It was a rare and valuable opportunity for our learners to access a high-quality cultural experience in a way that felt safe and enjoyable. Fantastic sensory experience, which was very stimulating or calming, depending on the piece.
It was one of the most emotional days I have had being a teacher, and I felt privileged to be a part of it.
Due to the positive impact of Opera Tutti and the demand for more live music experiences for disabled young people, we have developed a studio version for a wider Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Group. We are delighted to continue to reach those with PMLD and to reach more young people in terms of both their needs and geographical location, something we couldn’t do without the amazing contributions from WNO supporters who help fund our engagement work.
For more information aboutOpera Tutti, don't hesitate to get in touch with the programme producer, Sandra Taylor, at sandra.taylor@wno.org.uk