Lost in the Stars

In October 2016, HighburyOperaTheatre premièred London's first fully-staged production of Kurt Weil's Lost in the Stars. 

Based on Alan Paton's novel Cry the Beloved Country, Lost in the Stars gives passionate voice to the powerful, uncompromising social indictment of apartheid South Africa. Written in 1948, the stirring story is of two ageing men—a black country parson and a separatist white British planter—who are brought together by a shared grief. With a powerful score often compared to Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, Lost in the Stars lays bare the tragedy of social barriers among all people, yet ends with a deeply moving promise of reconciliation and hope for the future.

 HOT's new production reunited conductor Scott Stroman and director Jean Lacornerie, who together created French premier productions of Weill's One Touch of Venus and Lady in the Dark, nominated for a prestigious Molière Award, France's version of the British Olivier Awards.

HOT had the honour of working in partnership with Guildhall School of Music and Drama jazz vocalists, Classical Vybes and Eclectic Voices to cast the chorus and solo roles. The Youth Chorus comprised young voices from Highbury Youth Choir, Gayhurst Community School I can sing! choir and HMDT  CYMH Chamber Choir.

The production was funded in part by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music and Arts Council England.