Pegasus Opera, a trailblazer in promoting diversity in the world of opera, is thrilled to announce two exclusive concerts commemorating the Windrush 75th Anniversary. These extraordinary musical performances will take place at the National Opera Studio and the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, showcasing a remarkable lineup of talented singers and composers from African, Caribbean, and Asian backgrounds.
On Friday, June 9, at 7:30pm our Windrush 75th Anniversary Concert will take place at the prestigious National Opera Studio as part of the Wandsworth Arts Festival. The evening will be hosted by the esteemed Trinidadian tenor, Ronald Samm, fresh from his acclaimed performance in English National Opera’s “Blue.” Joining Ronald Samm will be the winner of the prestigious Sir Willard White Trophy grand prize of the Voice of Black Opera competition, Rachel Duckett, a remarkable Jamaican and British coloratura soprano. The lineup also includes the captivating soprano, Donna Bateman, vivacious mezzo soprano, Felicity Buckland, and the talented Zimbabwean bass, Masimba Ushe. Audiences will be treated to an extraordinary array of music, encompassing gospel, spirituals, opera, musical theatre, and traditional Caribbean songs such as “Murdah in di market,” “Linstead Market,” and “Long Time Gyal / Come let me hold your hand!” Furthermore, attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to experience excerpts from Pegasus Opera’s newest creation, the Windrush opera, unveiling its captivating melodies for the first time.
On Friday, June 23, at 7:30pm, music enthusiasts are invited to the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Haringey for an enchanting evening of melodies that traverse continents and cultures. Hosted by the internationally acclaimed opera star and Artistic Director of Pegasus Opera, Alison Buchanan, who was recently featured on the Netflix series ‘Queen Charlotte’ from the Bridgerton Series. The concert will feature celebrated Jamaican folk music singer Adwoa Dickson, along with a stellar cast of Pegasus Opera artists. The repertoire will span across various genres, including gospel, spirituals, opera, and songs inspired by the black diaspora. Additionally, the performance will include excerpts from Pegasus Opera’s highly anticipated Windrush opera, a masterful composition by Edson Burton MBE and Des Oliver, inspired by the remarkable stories of the Windrush generation.
Pegasus Opera Company will be staging an opera flash mob on Windrush Square in Brixton on Thursday 22nd June at 16.00pm bringing musical theatre, opera and Caribbean classics to the Lambeth community. We invite the audience to bring their best voice and join in!
Alison Buchanan, Artistic Director of Pegasus Opera, expressed her enthusiasm for these landmark concerts: “Pegasus Opera is excited to present our Windrush 75 Celebration concerts at the Wandsworth Fringe festival and at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre. We are proud to bring music of different genres by composers from around the Caribbean and from the diaspora. We are thrilled that these concerts mark the beginning of what we hope will be long partnerships with NOS and the BGAC. As the leaders in promoting diversity in opera in the UK, we are passionate about bringing diverse artists and repertoire to new audiences in London.”
Don’t miss these extraordinary Windrush 75th Anniversary Concerts, where exceptional talent, cultural richness, and artistic excellence will merge to create an unforgettable musical experience. Tickets are available for purchase through the respective booking links below:
Windrush 75th Anniversary Concert at National Opera Studio:
Date: Friday, June 9, 2023
Time: 7:30pm
Ticket Booking Link: https://www.wandsworthfringe.com/whats-on-2023/windrush-anniversary-concert
Ticket Price: £8 or £5
Lambeth Council Windrush 75 Procession and concert, Windrush Square, Brixton
Date: Thursday 22nd June, 2023
Time: 4pm
Information: https://lambethwindrush.com/windrush-day/
Windrush 75th Anniversary Concert at Bernie Grant Arts Centre:
Date: Friday, June 23, 2023
Time: 7:30pm
Ticket Booking Link: https://www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk/whats-on/windrush75-pegasus-opera/
Ticket Price: £8 or £5
Windrush 75th Anniversary Concert at The Harpur Suite, Bedford
Date: Saturday 24th June
Time:1.30pm
