The Magician's Cat

The Magician's Cat is a participatory concert for school children using the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, soloists and a storyteller, accompanied with a film. The concerts are targeted at years 5 and 6 and the children participate by singing specifically selected songs.
 
The theme of the repertoire is the macabre (witches, magic, death). The pieces are Danse Macabre by Camille Saint Saens, Kikimora and The Enchanted Lake by Anatol Liadov and Sorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas. These pieces are woven together with an original narrative from celebrated children's' writer and twice Carnegie award winner Berlie Doherty, with new and exciting orchestral composed sections which unite the pieces, by Welsh composer Julian Philips. The visual accompaniment to the concert is a specially commissioned film, which incorporates children's artwork. The film is edited by Cardiff-based photography development agency, Ffotogallery, following workshops led by Welsh artists Sophie Cobb and Stefhan Caddick.
 
Each school will receive a half-day workshop for up to 40 children during the spring, based on the repertoire but without revealing the story that the children will follow at the concert! They will learn musical motifs, the concert format and instruments of the orchestra and explore narrative themes of magic and the macabre. They will also learn one or two songs they will sing during the concert. A team of vocal animateurs and performers from Welsh National Opera leads these workshops.

Composer:  Various including Julian Philips
Conductor: James Lowe
Writer:  Berlie Doherty
Singers: Owen Webb (Baritone)

5th November - Colston Hall, Bristol

13th November - Central Hall, Southampton

4th December - Sheldonian, Oxford