Our 2025 schools project will create and premiere in-school mini-operas based on The Comet Huntress, as we celebrate the life and career of local scientist, Caroline Herschel.

In Georgian Bath, in an era of horses and carts and Bridgerton-style balls and concerts, Caroline Herschel worked as a singer along with her brother the composer William Herschel. But as their musical careers blossomed, they both became more and more interested in space, and in astronomical discoveries. They built a telescope together in their house in Bath and gradually became famous for their astronomical discoveries. Caroline Herschel became the first woman to receive a salary as a scientist and the first woman in England to hold a government position, earning her the nickname, The Comet Huntress.

We are devising a series of mini operas in four local schools. Students will work on creating their shows with singing, movement, drama and songwriting, to devise an in-schools performance, inspired by themes of science, space and female empowerment. We will also introduce space-themed musical works from Holst’s The Planets and If Opera’s 2025 programmed Orpheus in the Underworld. The project will introduce students to opera as a multi-disciplinary art form which includes many artistic elements – music, acting, singing, composing, movement, dance, art, set design, lighting design and prop making. All skills which develop a young person’s confidence, creativity, communication, helping them to flourish as individuals as well as being part of a company to tell a story and captivate an audience. The workshops culminate in a 30-minute whole school singing performance-assembly.

This year’s school projects are devised and led by charismatic soprano and founder director of Celebrate Voice, Lynsey Docherty. Lynsey has sung professionally for 20 years, was Director of Education at Dorset Opera for six years and has created opera workshops and been Creative Director for arts organisations across the UK, including the Royal Opera House, The Grange Festival, and previous projects for If Opera. Lynsey is also joined by composer/lyricist Tim Gilvin, and tenor Anthony Flaum.