24-26 July, 2024
Doors open at 7pm. Performance at 7.30pm.
Approximately Running Time: 2.15 hr including 2 intervals
Signature Brew, Unit 15, Uplands Business Park, Blackhorse Lane, London, E17 5QJ
£20 + booking fee
About Besse
Besse is an operatic triptych (presented as three acts) that fights the patriarchy with fermentation. It takes the audience on a musical journey through the rich and forgotten history of women and beer from the comfort of a seat in a local craft brewery taproom. The production centres around the fictional brewster Besse who is living through the Black Death and battling the changing trade of brewing from domestic to commercial, alongside the growing fear of witchcraft. The characters behave as personifications of the beer ingredients (yeast, water, rye and hops), the fate of each mirroring the reactions and outcomes that lead to the brew.
This unique event, that emphasises the quirky and creative industry of craft beer, was created by Birmingham based Infinite Opera which comprises composer/conductor Daniel Blanco and librettist/soprano Roxanne Korda. The 8 piece cast and 6 piece ensemble are all alumni of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and have been regularly performing this piece since its debut at Digbrew Co. in 2019. This time they will be joined by the Peking Opera specialist, dancer, and choreographer Jingya Peng, and the Iranian dramaturg Mahana Narimani.
Expect a black comedy involving feminist activism, rhyming couplets and the unpredictable effects that a single beer can create!
It will be performed at Signature Brew’s brewery and venue on Blackhorse Rd 24, 25, 26 July.
About Signature Brew
Signature Brew is on a mission to unite people through the power of fresh beer, great music and unforgettable experiences. This ethos, along with our commitment to the community and the environment, means we’re the only brewery to have won SIBA’s prestigious Brewery Of The Year Award twice (2018 & 2021).
And since we started in 2011, our legendary band collaboration beers have seen us brew with more artists than any other brewery in the world, including the likes of The Libertines, The Hives, Hot Chip, alt-J, Mastodon, IDLES, The Darkness, Sports Team, Enter Shikari, Big Joanie, Mogwai, Ed Gamble and Hospital Records.
Quote from Infinite Opera
We are thrilled to collaborate with Signature Brew on this three day run of the epic and tragic story of Besse, a stout brewster caught in the nexus of a society of extremes. This is an IPActful opera as you have never experienced it, infused with delicious craft beer from the audience to the stage – sometimes merrily crispy, sometimes dramatically sour, and sometimes bitterly sweet. These are definitely two hours of refreshingly zingy and hoppy music for all.
Quote from Signature Brew
At Signature Brew we’re extremely passionate about fresh beer, great music and incredible experiences, so we’re of course excited to welcome the very first beer opera to grace our brewery this summer. Working with exciting and experienced people like Infinite Opera allows us to provide beer and music lovers alike with a sonically unique and beer-fuelled experience.
More About Besse: Water, Rye and Hops –https://infiniteopera.com/works/besse/
Trailer – https://youtu.be/s7wcI1cGzu4
Ticket link – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/infiniteopera/1240791
Images (crediting the photographer), posters (credit, Infinite Opera), and video materials below.
Press release materials – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bPxC-hp_0rARUY4_eQgpJX5WnxEgull-?usp=drive_link
For more information contact:
Infinite Opera – infiniteopera@gmail.com
Signature Brew – events@signaturebrew.co.uk
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