Snappy Opera Festival

Snappy Operas is a program by the Mahogany Opera Group intended for young people aged 7–11. A Snappy Opera is a ten-minute opera co-created and performed by children, introducing all the essential elements of opera in fun, colorful, bite-sized pieces. It empowers children, regardless of background or ability, to collaborate and express themselves through music and theater. Every child takes part, with no solo roles, working together to shape the story, the music, and even the props and costumes.

Since 2016, Mahogany Opera has commissioned 15 Snappy Operas, created by composers and writers collaborating with schoolchildren. These operas have been performed by over 5,000 young people in more than 100 schools across the UK, from Cornwall to Aberdeen, and internationally in Germany and Lithuania. The program also supports teaching for creativity in the classroom, helping teachers bring imaginative, playful learning into everyday lessons. In 2022–23, the first Snappy Opera was created in partnership with a school for students with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND).

In 2026, a Snappy Opera Festival will take place across West Cumbria, County Durham, and Humberside. Each school will participate in workshops with professional artists and prepare for a performance in July 2026.

Snappy Operas is supported by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further Information:
mahoganyopera.co.uk

Date

July 1, 2026
Gala Theatre, Durham