This December, 9th-11th, I have been invited to sing in BambinO At Home , click the link for tickets which are available on Improbable’s website. I’m really looking forward to returning to the role of Uccellina and taking part in an opera that brings this fabulous art form to an age group that often doesn’t get a look in … babies!
In order to bring the magic of BambinO to parents, carers and babies in 2021, Improbable have adapted the original production, which they co-produced with Scottish Opera and the Manchester International Festival, to a new digital format. This made-for-screen performance will combine a live stream of the show with interwoven moments of live illustration from children’s illustrator Viviane Schawrz.
My contributions to the project also have an added twist this year, as Improbable have asked me to help with their audience development. I’m having a lot of fun creating campaigns for their social media platforms – you can keep an eye out for my final designs on Improbable’s profiles. So far I have been inspired by Viv’s illustrative responses to the opera and she kindly gave me access to a few of her designs, which you can see below on some of the images I have been working on.
For the final selection I chose to have these images pop out against a palette of sky blue, white & navy. These colours were inspired by the original set design by Emma and Giuseppe Belli, who drew influence from cherubs in ceiling murals in grand architecture. After all BambinO is a grown up opera, it‘s not just for babies it’s for the young at heart.
I am really interested to see if I can help Improbable connect with established groups that offer advice to new and returning parents, grandparents, day nursery groups and carers. Do you have any trusted websites, forums or people that you follow for tips and activity ideas for this age group? I’d appreciate you taking the time to let me know so I can approach them and help spread the word so that as many babies as possible can experience the joy of music this December. I would hate for them to miss out.
The shows are streamed on:
Thursday 9th December at 14:00
Saturday 11th December at 11:00
Saturday 11th December at 14:00
Click through the above links to get tickets.
If you know anybody that would enjoy experiencing BambinO at Home. Please pass on the links. Let me know what you think of the images I’ve developed so far and if you have any suggestions or even questions about the project – because that’s always helpful!
In the weeks ahead, I hope to collect some videos of the artists taking part and some fun craft tasks to enhance your experience. Let’s all get stuck in and have an eggciting time!
I would love to hear your comments and any suggestions you may have to help us reach out to our intended audience.
I have included below some links to previous posts for anyone who may have missed them and wants to recap 🙂
I like your messages to the families. I would keep the hashtag #operaforbabies in each message. It lets parents know exactly what you are talking about. Best wishes.
Thanks John, my Nana has her first great-grandchild who is six months old now so she’s thrilled she can watch this with him. She came to see a live show in Manchester.
Best wishes
Charlotte
My favorite images here are the 1st, 3rd, 5th and final. How exciting to know that BambinO is coming about again. I always thought it was a remarkable idea and I know there are going tobe throngs who wish to connect with this experience.
Thank you Annette, these are my early designs, I’ve prepared six for Improbable to use and these were my first ideas. I will choose three for my Instagram so thanks for your feedback.
In the live shows we had babies and carers in the circle seat and it was totally immersive with babies allowed to crawl and walk into the floor space, I was amazed at their attentiveness and their actions, helping to build a nest with pillows, touching the egg as it grew, just dancing along in the space. Then there were others watching, parents and grandparents in the outer area just watching in amazement, if we can recreate just a little of that it will be great.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is so wonderful for the kids, you are so sweet, Charlotte! God bless you. 🙏🏻❤️
Thank John, when we toured with the Manchester International Festival we went to all the towns around Manchester in the North of England, people came to watch with their babies not knowing what to expect. I didn’t know what to expect but after 100 live shows, each one different this new digital adventure is quite exciting.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I am so happy you are reprising this opera. Our two little ones are now two and a half and three, so maybe a little old (odd thing to imagine that at that age they could be too old for and Opera!) for these performances. I will pass the dates around and see if I can get any bites. There is another grandchild on the way next March, so we will definitely want to tune in this time next year – a 2022 Christmas revival?
I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by since your grandchildren were born, I love two to three year olds they’re so funny at that age. Please do pass the dates around I’d love to get some feedback of how their babies interact with the live steamed show. I’ve been persuading friends to have a BambinO party with a couple of their friends with babies around, throw the cushions on the floor and let them listen and watch freely in the space.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’ll do my best – they have demanding timetables these days! I have been looking on Youtube for a good clip to tempt them and I think the French one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghmIRiW4K3k) looks great.
Haha baby diaries. The two weeks in Paris was fabulous, I remember being asked to do an interview in French and I practised every day in the local cafe with the Manager and staff, they were fabulous especially when I was throwing the odd German word in to explain what I was doing in their City. There are some videos on my YouTube I’ll have to rewatch them and use links thank you.
Best wishes
I’m really excited for you, to be doing Bambino again, without all the touring.
I will hopefully be watching with Arthur.xx
I’m going to ask Mum to make you a papier mâché egg for Arthur to play with 😂 . Yes, we’re filming in London.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
This sounds absolutely fantastic.
When Scottish Opera toured this around the Scottish highlands, it went down a treat. We’d had a fortnight of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe which were sold out too. It is going to be a challenge to create the full ambience of a live show but we will do our best to.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’m sure you all will. And I am sure the cast will be fantastic xxx
Cool that you are revisiting this. I just sent the link to this post to my sister – she might show it to her grandson.
Thank you, Trent. This little opera breaks down all the perceived barriers to opera, we took the show to civic centres all over and people were so surprised it worked so well. It is going to be interesting to see how it translates to a live stream without the babies in the space, but as long as people encourage their babies to do whatever they wish, i.e. use home pillows to make their own nest (which was one of the favourite activities); and use their own space to move around and make noise I’m hoping it is just as enjoyable after all the sounds and music is the same.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Good morning my dear hoather
Good morning my friend, I hope that you have a lovely week ahead.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I am so pleased that BambinO is being reprieved and modified, though I think the original live version is the more exciting. I suppose with the pandemic and the wish to reach even more people the new version is the way forward. Unfortunately, I only know two people who might be interested. My god-daughter fosters babies and also runs a creche; I will send her the links. I also used to follow a blog about children/babies which has recently left WP for Instagram. I will see if I can find it again and send links.
Good luck with this new venture, Charlotte!
I agree, Clare it is going to be challenging to reproduce the exciting live version, easier for us singers because we don’t have babies all around the space so we can move freely, but I am thinking about how I can use the cameras to keep the excitement and stimulation high.
I am hoping that creche’s take the opportunity to have the show because it is the same cost just £4 for all the babies to enjoy it and the babies interact so well together sharing pillows etc. in the live show it would be good if they could have a little BambinO party 😊.
Thanks for sharing the links for us, Clare. The pandemic, especially the lockdowns, must have affected the older babies of the age group, and BambinO is a very child-centred show. This online at home (or creche) version is more accessible than a live show and I can’t wait for the feedback.
Best wishes
Charlotte
My pleasure, Charlotte xx
“You’ve come a long way Baby!” It looks like you are going to have a lot of fun. E così sono alcuni bambini.
I’m excited about the project Tim. Babies born after March 2020 will have only known a world struggling with covid and lockdowns and masks. The development stages 6-18 months is extraordinary and you might be surprised just how much the babies that participated in the live shows interacted and made noise, nests, danced, laughing, and yes, even sometimes crying along. My aim is fun, fun, fun.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Everyone loves live performances. Especially, babies.
I love the fact your revisiting this opera, it’s an absolute must for parents with babies. I might have to kidnap one for a while😳 I’ll pass the links along in my craft group as a lot of them have grand children. I need a sneaky peek! I love all your pictures, each has a small difference, but I like them all.🥰👏👏👏
You always wanted to see it and now you get a chance to😊 xx. Thanks for passing the links on Gill. If you can think of anyone else I can ask to share the news please let me know.
Best wishes
Charlotte
My grandson would love this! Tears that you are not in the US!
Hi Noelle, it’s a live stream show to watch on phone, laptop or tv if you can screen mirror it or it’s a smart tv, such a shame if the time difference doesn’t work for you because I’d love you to be able to watch with your grandson. Hope you are well and looking forward to Christmas in your new home.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This sounds wonderful for the babies, Charlotte! Wishing you all the best!
I do love this little show. It’s going to be odd not having babies crawling around my feet. It’s a new experience.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is amazing, Charlotte! Love that this is streaming.
I will check out Improbable!
I reviewed all of the BambinO links.
You could become famous for this role, an influencer. You will be very exposed to a large audience.
One thing leads to another. I’m so happy for you! ❦❦❦❦
Hi Resa, I love this role and entertaining babies, they all react so differently, some jump right in dancing and throwing pillows around, some sit absolutely still and watch entranced, others like to make a noise. It’s taken me to Paris and New York and all around Northern England and my friend Hazel in the role to Oman.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful news Charlotte.
Thank you Don, the stage set is just lovely and portable so that we could take it all around from venue to venue.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is the project that I think I like most. Have fun!
Thank you I love this project too. It will be good to shake my tail feathers again.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This sounds like a wonderful program for the very young, Charlotte! Best wishes for all your endeavors!
Thank you Lavinia, the babies do love it, we need to get the message out so that people don’t miss it because we’re only doing three days of live shows. I hope you are keeping well?
Best wishes
Charlotte
So far so good. We have been triple vaccinated, and have been able to perform out on a limited basis. With the new variants out there, we will see how things go over the winter and spring.
We lost a dear niece to cancer over the end of summer, and two of the older cats this year. Rick had surgery this month. Other than that, fire season is over for the year, and we are well, and grateful for all we have. I am looking forward to some creative time over the winter.