Shoulder To Shoulder

Performance :7pm

Pre-Show Talk: 6:30pm

How do you beat loneliness? How do you learn to laugh again?

Featured on ITV Wales, BBC Radio Wales and in the Western Mail, Shoulder To Shoulder is an original, uplifting opera created and staged by the acclaimed opera company Swansea City Opera.

Shoulder To Shoulder is inspired by the moving and sometimes laugh-out stories from members of the charity Men’s Sheds Cymru.  The charity supports isolated men by creating warm and welcoming spaces where men can build friendships and make new beginnings, enjoy their hobbies, learn new skills, and drink tea!

From conversations with Men’s Sheds Cymru members, Swansea City Opera went on to create a moving and witty libretto and set it to music.

The talented cast features singers who have sung in and with some of the UK’s and Europe’s leading opera houses and companies ranging from the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Welsh National Opera.

The cast includes Jessica Robinson a Welsh soprano who was a finalist in the prestigious international opera competition BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2023.  As a finalist, Jessica follows in the footsteps of names including the internationally renowned Welsh singer Sir Byrn Terfal.

“simply brilliant in every department” Audience member

Shoulder to Shoulder was a huge hit with audiences – many new to opera - across Wales in 2022.

Composer Lenny Sayers 

Librettist Brendan Wheatley

Cast  Gwen Jessica Robinson  Ioan Robyn Lyn Evans Dai  Aled Hall  Rhys Dyfed Wyn Evans  Charlie Wynn Pencarreg

Musical Director John Beswick  Accompanied by a chamber ensemble