Infinite Opera x Signature Brew present...

Besse: Water, Rye and Hops - The Beer Opera

Besse is an operatic triptych (presented as three acts) that fights the patriarchy with fermentation. It takes the audience on a musical journey through the rich and forgotten history of women and beer from the comfort of a seat in a local craft brewery taproom. The production centres around the fictional brewster Besse who is living through the Black Death and battling the changing trade of brewing from domestic to commercial, alongside the growing fear of witchcraft. The characters behave as personifications of the beer ingredients (yeast, water, rye and hops), the fate of each mirroring the reactions and outcomes that lead to the brew.

This unique event that emphasises the quirky and creative industry of craft beer, was created by Birmingham based Infinite Opera which comprises composer/conductor Daniel Blanco, and librettist/soprano Roxanne Korda. The 8 piece cast and 6 piece ensemble are all alumni of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and have been regularly performing this piece since its debut at Digbrew Co in 2019. This time they will be joined by the Peking Opera specialist, dancer, and choreographer Jingya Peng, and the Iranian dramaturg Mahana Narimani.

Expect a black comedy involving feminist activism, rhyming couplets and the unpredictable effects that a single beer can create! These are definitely two hours of refreshingly zingy and hoppy music for all!

More About Besse: Water, Rye and Hops - https://infiniteopera.com/works/besse/

24-26 July, 2024

Performance at 7.30pm, Running time 2.15 hr including 2 intervals

Signature Brew, Unit 15, Uplands Business Park, Blackhorse Lane, London, E17 5QJ

This is an 18+ event