Am-a-Day-Us - Amateurs join with Community Opera team and guests to create an Opera in a Day

There was an open invitation to take part in the project, which was free, regardless of age and ability. The unique creative team behind the third Opera in a Day included Edward Lynch, one of the founder members of Leeds-based Phoenix Dance, DJ and MC artists from NYCC Connecting Youth Culture led by James Koppert, Ryedale Festival Community Opera and members of the public from the local community.

In total 40 people took part in the project, which was funded by Arts Council England, Yorkshire. Work began at 9.30am and the new opera was then performed at 4pm in the Memorial Hall. Em Whitfield Brooks, Director of Ryedale Festival Community Opera, said: 'The idea for our Opera in a Day came about due to the large numbers of people from across Ryedale, of all ages, abilities and levels of experience who, by sheer numbers, could not get places in our summer productions which take place every year as part of the Ryedale Festival, so we decided to open the doors for a one-day experience to anybody who would like to take part. The resulting work was a great success mixing dance, rap and soaring sopranos, with masks made by members of Cauwood Day Centre for learning disabled adults, and banners by three local youth clubs; everyone who took part learnt a lot about their chosen disciplines and about working with a wide range of other artists and participants in an intense but fun and very creative atmosphere.'

Jennifer Hallam, Visual Arts Officer, Arts Council England, Yorkshire, added: 'It's great to see people with such a wide range of backgrounds in the arts - from people entirely new to the arts to experienced professional arts practitioners coming together in this way to share ideas and skills in a way that benefits all the participants and the local community. Arts Council England, Yorkshire is delighted that we were able to support the day and Ryedale Festival Community Opera.'

Ryedale Festival Community Opera is holding auditions across Ryedale for its tenth anniversary production on 12 and 17 May. The production, a new adaptation of the medieval morality play, Everyman will be staged on 17 and 18 July. For more details email Em Whitfield Brooks on em.whitfield@talk21.com or visit Ryedale Festival

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