John Kefala-Kerr » Opera & Music Theatre

Blood Choir

JKK — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 15:47:27 +0000

Performers draw blood in a work that explores the idea of blood
as a symbol of violence, affiliation, ethnicity, bodily integrity and
sacrifice. Sung notes are determined by blood glucose levels measured
during the performance and then altered by regular intakes of food and drink.
The result is a musical canon that becomes increasingly ‘viscous’ as the
density of sound increases.

Visit the BLOOD CHOIR MICROSITE

JKK — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 09:53:19 +0000

“The piece will slowly infiltrate your mind, much like the diffusion of steam, and leave you intrigued.” — Maria Tang

Title
Steamsong

Description
Operatic Poem

Duration
60′

Commissioned by:
National Railway Museum/BRASS: Durham International Festival

Performances:
Gala Theatre, Durham 12 July 2014.

VIEW SCORE

A Sign in Space

JKK — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 04:57:02 +0000

A Sign in Space (extract)

*VIEW SCORE

Sound opera for large ensemble, mixed chorus and 4-channel digital sound, commissioned by The Forge and Durham Cathedral for Durham International Brass Festival.

Duration

70 mins

First Performance

Durham Cathedral 21 July 2012

Composer/Director
John Kefala-Kerr

Producer
Fiona Melvin

Floor Manager
Lisa Laws

Performers
Helen Critten: violin
David Quinn: organ
Rosanna Moore: harp
Denise Kerr: sound toys
Durham County Youth Big Band
Durham County Youth Choir
Durham Cathedral Choristers
Durham Cathedral Young Singers
Tudhoe Grange High School
Vox

Creation

JKK — Sat, 12 Jul 2003 07:13:07 +0000

Creation: An Opera in a Marquee (2003)

Description
A wordless opera. The final work in the Beyond Belief cycle of four ritual operas commissioned by Cumbria Arts and composed in response to the Cumbrian foot-and-mouth crisis.

Duration
1 hr

First Performance
Earth Balance, Northumberland, 12th July 2003. Produced by KOPCO

Composer/Director
John Kefala-Kerr

Choreographer
Paula Turner

Ensemble
David Murray: piano
Jennifer Murray: clarinets
Geoff Hannan: double bass
Sheila Jankovicz: double bass
John Kefala-Kerr: keyboard/sampler

Wendy Smith: voice
Paula Turner: bride
Simon Tarrant: groom/accordion

Lighting
Jason Hares

Performers
PhilipArchboldGavinBellStephenBellWillBensonJulieCarrCarlChandlerMatthewClarkAngelaConway
KayDickAnnaDoddsSamanthaDyeStevenEnglesLorrenEvansStuartFearDamianFergusonLauraFisher
BenGrovesVannessaHafeziLillianHenleyLeeHoldroydLisaMcGrillisDominiqueMilliganJohnQuinn
ClintRedshawClairRobinsonSamScullionLouiseShelleyDanielSquiresAlanTateTerryThompson
NatalieVusthoffClaireWebsterRachelWilcockAdeleWhiteRebeccaWhite

Special thanks to:
Hirst High School, Alexandra Middle School, Bothal Middle School, Earth Balance Trust, Bryan Smith, Dave Tyrell, Nicholas Baumfield, Sarah Hudson, Wansbeck District Council, Denise Allan, Cumbria Arts in Education, Jane Dudman, Will Benson, Sam Barkworth, Joyce Richardson, Wansbeck Youth Concety Band, Denise Kerr, Sandra Kerr, Werca’s Folk, VoiceMae, Tesco, University of Sunderland

Passion

admin — Fri, 29 Nov 2002 11:33:46 +0000

Title
Passion: An Opera in a Sports Centre (2002)

Description
The second in the Beyond Belief cycle of four ritual operas commissioned by Cumbria Arts in Education and composed in response to the Cumbrian foot-and-mouth crisis.

Duration
1 hr

First Performance
Whitehaven Sports Centre. Produced by KOPCO.

Composer/Director
John Kefala-Kerr

Choreographer
Paula Turner

Ensemble
Emma Welton: violin
Charlotte Bishop: cello
Geoff Hannan: piano
Dave Price: percussion
John Kefala-Kerr: keyboard/sampler

Liz Potter: soprano
Paula Turner: baptised woman
Lido van der Laan: magician
Lesley Vevers: hairdresser

Lighting
John Deakin

“Carstallation”
Claire Webster

Stage Manager
John Quinn

Performers
Victoria Allen, JennaBarne s Lisa Batty, Gavin Bell, Lynn Branthwaite, Christopher Bullock,
JadeCarter, Katie Chisholm, Sean Craggs, Bryonie Crawford, Scott Crowe, Charlotte Cunningham, Hayley Dodgson, Samantha Dye, Becky Fitzsimons, Sean Fitzsimons, Paul Forster, Ashleigh Glasson, Charlotte Glover, Michael Grayson, Becky Hardman, Lilly Henley, Alice Hewitt, Cally Hooks Kyle Inglesfield, Anna Kerr, Joshua Kerr, Kelly Kirkbride, Jenna Lamb, Debi Lepley, Allan MacDonald, Jodie McCartney, Craig McCourt, Antony McDowell, Jenna Middleton, Gemma Moore, Heather Moore, Catherine Morgan, Samantha Morris, Curtis Pattinson, Luke Parkes, Tony Phillips, Chloe Pickering, Bryan Postlethwaite, Hollie Robinson, Kayleigh Roperlan Sharples, DanSquires, Philip Stewart, Kay Stott, Ashton Storey, Anthony Stourton, Scott Telford, Lee Turner LucyVaughan, Amy Walker,Terri Walker, Rebecca Whitmarsh, Rachel Wilcock, Kerslie Williams, Tom Wren, Xue Yang

Special thanks to:
JaneHanlon, Rachael Jones, Copeland Arts Development, Distington Junior School, Valley Junior School, St. Benedict’s High School, Professor Steven Connor, Distington Community Centre, University of Northumbria, Steve Cunningham, Rosehill Theatre, Gelnfield Hotel, McSherry’s Hair Studio, BBC, WhitehavenSportsCentre

Ikon of the Nativity

JKK — Wed, 09 Jan 2002 06:42:45 +0000

Title
Ikon of the Nativity (2001)

Description
The first in the Beyond Belief cycle of four ritual operas commissioned by Cumbria Arts in Education and composed in response to the Cumbrian foot-and-mouth crisis.

Duration
30 mins

First Performance
Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven. Produced by KOPCO.

Composer/Director
John Kefala-Kerr

Choreographer
Paula Turner

Soprano
Tracy Cadman

Cast
Year 5 & 6 pupils from Bransty, Lowca and Moresby Primary Schools

Read Elaine Williams’ article ‘Nativity Play’ for the Times Educational Supplement.

Makeover Melodrama

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 1999 15:21:00 +0000

Title
Makeover Melodrama

Description
Karaoke opera for solo female performer and backing tape.

Duration
8′

First Performance
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre Hexham, 25 June 1999, prod. KOPCO, performer Claire Webster.

Commissioned by
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham, UK

US (Kitchen Sink Karaoke)

JKK — Fri, 03 May 1996 13:52:53 +0000

Title

Us (Kitchen Sink Karaoke)

Duration

15′

Performances

Cutting Edge Festival, The Warehouse, London, Oct 2003/Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, June 2001/Newcastle Playhouse, Oct 2000/Haydon Lodge, Northumberland, July 1998, Fiona MacPherson & Walter James performers, KOPCO.

Junk Male (A Novelty Space-Age Mini Opera)

admin — Fri, 17 Nov 1995 14:10:54 +0000

Title
Junk Male (A Novelty Space-Age Mini Opera)

Duration
20′

First Performance
Gulbenkian Studio Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, 15th & 16th September 1995, Andrew Gallacher (Baritone), KOPCO.