A new monologue opera It Takes a Child’s Imagination – The Hunting of the Snark, is at the same time Yolanda Harding’s master recital in vocal music.

Programme

From the world of “Alice in Wonderland” we give you a new story based around Lewis Carroll’s unusual children’s poem, “The Hunting of the Snark”. Set in a child’s bedroom, this fantastical story takes the audience on a ride through a child’s imaginary adventure overseas in pursuit of finding the allusive creature: the Snark. Yet, ‘Fear’ is always watching and takes every opportunity to disrupt their journey. Will the child escape Fear’s grasp? An opera the whole family can enjoy!

This wacky monologue opera has been composed this year for Yolanda Harding’s master’s concert by composer, singer, and poet Niki Main and it will have its premiere on June 5th, 2024. The piece is a commentary on how most fears we have as adults are placed upon us during childhood through society and during this process, we lose our ability to create and play without judgement. This is an ongoing project by Main and Harding; the performance is a minimalist demonstration of the larger opera currently in the works.

Performers

Artistic Team

• Libretto & Composition: Niki Main

• Director: Yolanda Harding

• Directing consultant: Martina Roos

• Conductor: Elisar Riddelin

• Lighting designer: Jukka Kolimaa

• Set Design: Yolanda Harding

Ensemble

• Soprano: Yolanda Harding

• Narrator: Niki Main

• Accordian: Sabina Aftyka

• Clarinet: Gracia Ortega Navarro

• Bassoon: Aaro Lehtovaara

• Double Bass: Tuomo Matero

• Percussion: Teo de la Cruz