Just three weeks into the new school year, twenty year 9 music and drama students travelled south for a day in the capital for a once in a lifetime cultural experience. The main purpose of the trip was to visit to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to see a matinee performance of Rossini’s comic opera The Barber of Seville. Many of the students had never visited London before and none of them had previously seen a live opera. Funded by The Taylor Family Foundation, this schools’ matinee performance in the magnificent Royal Opera House was bustling with school groups from across the country. Performed by the orchestra, chorus and soloists of the Royal Opera House the standard of performance was unbeatable. As well as the comedy through music and overall standard of performance, students were also impressed by the brightly coloured costumes and the moving stage which are made specifically for use in this incredible professional venue. One student commented that “the building itself is really impressive and like nothing I’ve seen before”. Many of the students didn’t know what expect but were open minded and sat transfixed throughout. Following the performance we had time to explore some tourist hotspots such as Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben before returning back to Newcastle that night by train. Unsurprisingly, a great day was had by all; the students were engaged and well-mannered; they enjoyed each other’s’ company and the opportunities that the visit had to offer. They were a credit to themselves and the school.
Visit to Opera
