Infinite Opera is bringing a women and beer-themed show, Besse, to Signature Brew’s taproom, in East London, from 24th to 26th July.
Besse is an operatic triptych (presented as three acts). It takes the audience on a musical journey through the rich and forgotten history of women and beer.
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.
Birmingham-based Infinite Opera comprises composer/conductor Daniel Blanco and librettist/soprano Roxanne Korda with an eight-piece cast and six-piece ensemble, who are all alumni of the 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! Tickets are available here.
“At Signature Brew, we’re extremely passionate about fresh beer, great music, and incredible experiences, so we’re of course excited to welcome the very first beer opera to grace our brewery this summer,” said the brewer.
“Working with exciting and experienced people like Infinite Opera allows us to provide beer and music lovers alike with a sonically unique and beer-fuelled experience.”
