A Buxton International Festival production, in collaboration with the Royal Overseas League, and the Festival Orchestra with members from the Northern Chamber Orchestra and our Young Instrumentalist Programme.
Composed by Kate Whitley and written by Laura Attridge.
Buxton International Festival is proud to present a specially commissioned oratorio, Our Future In Your Hands, composed by Kate Whitley and written by Laura Attridge.
Over the last twenty years the global scientific community has been raising the alarm about climate change. Government action has been stuck in red tape and endless debate. The process of change has stalled. This inaction was too much for young people who have decided to go on a strike to protest the lack of action in the face of climate change. Our Future In Your Hands uses the oratorio to give voice to the hopes and fears of the young people who will one day inherit our world.
Kate Whitley, a winner of the British Composers Award, was commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra to write Sky Dances which was conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. She runs the Multi-Story Orchestra with conductor Christopher Stark and creates works for young people. Kate is committed to organising music as a powerful tool for social change and the common good. She is an important composer of her generation, in particular in her word settings in opera, songs or choral music.
Laura Attridge is a dynamic maker of opera and theatre with a passion for collaborative creative work. She directed the critically acclaimed Cendrillon for Buxton International Festival in 2021 and her song cycles have been premiered at Glyndebourne, the Royal College of Music (RCM), the National Gallery and Bard College. Notably, her ongoing creative partnership with composer Lewis Murphy has produced numerous works for the stage produced by Scottish Opera, Glyndebourne, Scottish Opera and Sound Festival. Laura is also a director and facilitator, working regularly with young people and communities.
Young musicians from the RNCM, led by mentors from the Northern Chamber Orchestra will make up the orchestra for the project. The choirs will be drawn from local schools and will be joined by soloists from the Buxton Festival Company.
Thanks to the PRS Foundation, Granada Foundation, Golden Jubilee Trust (via ROSL), The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Ida Carroll Trust, Borletti-Buitoni Trust, Samuel Gardner Memorial Trust, Andre Bernheim Trust, RVW Trust, The Michael Guest Charitable Foundation, Orchestras Live.
Thanks to members of the Our Future in Your Hands Syndicate, in memory of Emilie Schmid-Tröndle.
In partnership with ROSL
Creatives & Soloists
Tom Newall Conductor
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Fiona Finsbury Soprano
Rhiannon Doogan Mezzo-soprano
Christopher Cull Baritone