22 February 2022
Newsdesk
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, St. Pancras International Station will host Lost and Found, a series of micro-operas created by women composer and librettist teams, presented by The Royal Opera House.
The station will become the main stage for the day, with seven brand-new, micro-operas performed around the station, inspired by tales of travelling and train connections. Taking place on Tuesday 8 March 2022, between 11am and 6pm, commuters will have the chance to enjoy live, first-class performances, based on stories submitted by the public and selected by Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme (JPYA).
Outside the Eurostar arrivals, passengers will be serenaded by two works that explore and reflect on shared experiences, and moments of magic found in the mundanity of everyday commuting. Travellers at the main departure boards will hear Laura Reid and Oge Nwosu’s poetic song Detritus – told through the eyes of a cleaner, who unites people with their lost items. The iconic statue ‘The Meeting Place’ will be the backdrop for four works centred around time and travel.
Singers will feature the Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Young Artists, accompanied by players from Belgium chamber ensemble, Casco Phil.
Wendy Spinks, Commercial Director at HS1, said: “We are so excited for St. Pancras International to be the backdrop for the latest Lost and Found performances, straight off the Eurostar. There will no doubt be many interesting and entertaining stories from travellers who pass through train stations, and we can’t wait to see them brought to life through the magic and beauty of opera.
The collection of performances adds to our host of arts and cultural experiences on offer at the station throughout the year and we’re thrilled to be working with The Royal Opera House to delight visitors during their journeys to and from the station on International Women’s Day.”
Angelique MacDonald, Producer for the Jetter Parker Young Artists at ROH, said: “It has been a privilege to read the personal stories that were shared with us for this project, and watch them inspire seven new works in different styles and approaches. Opera is an innately human artform and it’s hugely exciting to be able to perform such relatable work with Casco Phil at St. Pancras International.”
Lost and Found is part of the Europalia Arts Festival, reaching European railway stations including Antwerp Central Station, Brussels Central Station, and, in May 2022, Rotterdam Central Station. The performances in St. Pancras International are presented in collaboration with site-performance specialists Curated Place, offering London’s commuters and long-haul travellers the chance to pause, reflect and enjoy a moment of art and connection in an unlikely place.
Lost and Found presents the world premieres of:
I just wanna be (In Center Parcs) by Joanne Taylor and Kerry Priest
Everything you carry by Georgia Barnes and Olivia Bell
It’s the Little Things by Rose Hall and Katie Colombus
Detritus by Laura Reid and Oge Nwosu
Mini Break by Victoria Bernath and Teresa Howard
The Parting Place by Sarah Lianne Lewis and Sophia Chapadjiev
The Hardest Journey by Anna Braithwaite and Kerry Priest
