THE IMPOSTER
Short Chamber Opera for Atmospheres Festival 2020
'The Imposter' is a short chamber opera written for Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's (RWCMD) Atmospheres Festival 2020. Collaboratively written between composers Ella Penn and Natalie Roe and Opera Director and Librettist Madeleine Brooks, the opera addresses Imposter Syndrome through the two vocal lines presenting the inner and outer voices of a person. The three collaborators felt the importance of highlighting Imposter Syndrome in an arts college as it is common for people in the arts industry to experience this during their career.
Originally written to be staged in RWCMD's foyer as a 'Pop-up Opera', the opera was reimagined to fit the digital platform of RWCMD's Atmospheres Radio. Due to COVID-19 the opera was recorded by the individual musicians in their homes using a click track, this created an interesting recording which resulted in a unique and exciting sound.
The Imposter Opera was premiered on 2nd May 2020 and had two online performances over the Atmospheres Festival.
Further reconceptulization of the opera has occurred regarding the visuals as it has not been possible to perform this live. The short opera has been re-envisioned as a photography and animation hybrid video which is being created by designer Ruby Brown.
Video coming soon...
