At War Child, we have a proud history, of working with some of the biggest and best rock bands.
But did you know that we also have a partnership with English National Opera (ENO)?
This might not seem like the perfect match but we have loads in common.
ENO believes that opera can make a difference to young people’s lives. It even has its own youth programme.
It’s why it’s central to War Child and ENO’s DNA.
It’s also why we are perfect partners.
ENO is performing the UK’s first fully staged production of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem to mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice.
Britten’s choral masterpiece was written for the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral in 1962, combining the traditional Latin text of the Requiem Mass with the English poetry of Wilfred Owen.
The result is a passionate protest about the futility of war.
World-renowned Turner Prize-winning artist, Wolfgang Tillmans, is collaborating with ENO.
Along with ENO’s artistic director Daniel Kramer, music, drama, and visual arts will help communicate the horrors of war.
“In my research again and again I came across the importance of children and youth,” Tillmans says.
“Playing war and training for war cannot be separated.”
War Requiem is performed by the combined forces of an 80-strong chorus.
Three soloists and a children's choir of 40 are showing the things we hold dear that often get crushed by the horrors of war.
Examining grief and loss from wars past and present, the production’s themes resonate with War Child’s education and livelihood programmes.
Breaking the cycle of violence is only possible once we find a way for children to secure their futures.
War Child UK will receive donations from a souvenir programme available at the performances.
War Requiem, 16 Nov–7 Dec, London Coliseum, sung in English and Latin.
Tickets start from £12 (plus booking fee) with 500 seats available at £20 or less for every performance (booking fee is £2.25 per ticket).
Visit the ENO website for tickets.
