Projects / Performance / Black February/Mis Bach Du
Black February / Mis Bach Du was commissioned by the Welsh National Opera and produced with and by the people of Fishguard, a beautiful little town on the coast of Pembrokeshire in the south-west of Wales. It told the story of the last invasion of Britain, in 1797, by a motley force of French convicts led by Irish and American officers, who were eventually persuaded to surrender before much blood was spilt.
The piece took over a year to create, in collaboration with a team from WNO and the people of the surrounding areas, including many school-aged participants. It is scored for a mix of amateur and professional musicians including brass band, with all the vocal roles sung by non-professionals.
“Community opera projects… at their best – and this is one of the best I have ever seen - …can pull together entire communities in a creative process that both enriches and celebrates the innate skills and talents of the community involved.”
Michael Parkin, Western Mail, November 1997
“A wonderful community effort involving all sorts of people who have never done anything like it before.”
Mike Woakes, Fishguard Bicentenary spokesman, 29 October 97