Diary

Upcoming Events

Dangerous Matter

Start date: June 24, 2024
End date: June 24, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Royal Northern College of Music

Performers

Zakiya Leeming composer
Sam Redway Wells director, dramaturg
Melvin Tay conductor
Rosie Middleton Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
Ruth Harley Sarah Chiswell / Multi-role
Ankur Dang Princess Caroline / Multi-role
Jasmine Ai Higgs Greek Inoculator / Multi-role
Yu Chinen Variola / Multi-role
Oscar Bowen-Hill Dr Charles Maitland / Multi-role

About

Memory shapes the past, defines the present, and guides the future.

In 18th century Britain, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu defied medical convention by championing inoculation, a practice she had witnessed in Turkey. Facing resistance from the Royal Society, she trusted the expertise of inoculators across Asia and Africa, paving the way for evidence-based, preventative medicine. Her advocacy laid the groundwork for Edward Jenner who would refine these ideas 40 years later, leading to the first vaccine.

Through Lady Mary’s story, Dangerous Matter explores memory in its many forms: historical, personal, and biological. Who do we remember for shaping the world and transforming global health? How does memory define identity and legacy? And how does the body itself remember, protecting us through generations?

Blending science and history, Dangerous Matter is a powerful reflection on the role of memory in medicine and human progress.

This opera is the result of a collaborative process between scientists and musicians, working together to bring the production to life. It is part of the Thanks for the Memories project, supported by the Wellcome Trust.

Who is Molly Leigh?

Start date: July 23, 2025
End date: July 27, 2025
Time: 12:00 am – 12:00 am
Location: B-arts, Stoke on Trent

A new community opera exploring the legend of accused witch Molly Leigh at B.ARTS in Stoke in July 2025

Through immersive music and storytelling, we will explore local history from the perspective of women and those excluded by society for being ‘different’ to find out, “Who is Molly Leigh?”

Composed and Written by Francesca Le Lohe and Gareth Mattey, the opera is creatively produced by B.ARTS and co-created with members of the local community.

B.ARTS, 64-72 Hartshill Road, Stoke, ST4 7RB

Tickets are “Pay what you can”.

Get your tickets now – ticketsource.co.uk/b-arts

This is an immersive, promenade piece where audiences choose their own route through the opera.

Rhizomessages

Date: November 1, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival

Past Events

Dangerous Matter

Start date: June 24, 2024
End date: June 24, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Royal Northern College of Music

Performers

Zakiya Leeming composer
Sam Redway Wells director, dramaturg
Melvin Tay conductor
Rosie Middleton Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
Ruth Harley Sarah Chiswell / Multi-role
Ankur Dang Princess Caroline / Multi-role
Jasmine Ai Higgs Greek Inoculator / Multi-role
Yu Chinen Variola / Multi-role
Oscar Bowen-Hill Dr Charles Maitland / Multi-role

About

Memory shapes the past, defines the present, and guides the future.

In 18th century Britain, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu defied medical convention by championing inoculation, a practice she had witnessed in Turkey. Facing resistance from the Royal Society, she trusted the expertise of inoculators across Asia and Africa, paving the way for evidence-based, preventative medicine. Her advocacy laid the groundwork for Edward Jenner who would refine these ideas 40 years later, leading to the first vaccine.

Through Lady Mary’s story, Dangerous Matter explores memory in its many forms: historical, personal, and biological. Who do we remember for shaping the world and transforming global health? How does memory define identity and legacy? And how does the body itself remember, protecting us through generations?

Blending science and history, Dangerous Matter is a powerful reflection on the role of memory in medicine and human progress.

This opera is the result of a collaborative process between scientists and musicians, working together to bring the production to life. It is part of the Thanks for the Memories project, supported by the Wellcome Trust.

Who is Molly Leigh?

Start date: July 23, 2025
End date: July 27, 2025
Time: 12:00 am – 12:00 am
Location: B-arts, Stoke on Trent

A new community opera exploring the legend of accused witch Molly Leigh at B.ARTS in Stoke in July 2025

Through immersive music and storytelling, we will explore local history from the perspective of women and those excluded by society for being ‘different’ to find out, “Who is Molly Leigh?”

Composed and Written by Francesca Le Lohe and Gareth Mattey, the opera is creatively produced by B.ARTS and co-created with members of the local community.

B.ARTS, 64-72 Hartshill Road, Stoke, ST4 7RB

Tickets are “Pay what you can”.

Get your tickets now – ticketsource.co.uk/b-arts

This is an immersive, promenade piece where audiences choose their own route through the opera.

Rhizomessages

Date: November 1, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival

2023:

Thanksong – Cassandra Miller with Phaedra Ensemble at Cafe Oto

PLASTIC BODIES – HCMF Shorts 

with  p.e.r.s.o.n.a.l.c.l.u.t.t.e.r. at Deep Time Festival, Edinburgh Fruitmarket Gallery. World premiere by Sara Glojnaric and works by Jessie Marino, Jennifer Walshe, Berglind Maria Tomasdottir, Esin Gunduz.

voice(less) with Angharad Davies – at Woolwich Works for Music in the Round

works by Gavin Bryars and Cassandra Miller with Phaedra Ensemble, Little Missingdon Festival

voice(less) with Angharad Davies – at Portsmouth Guildhall for Music in the Round

PLASTIC BODIES at Tete-a-Tete Festival

Woman at Point Zero – Sama (cover) Royal Opera House and Britten Pears Arts 

Darmstadter FerienKurse

What the Dog Said to the Harvest – Jasmin Kent Rodgman and Lisa Luxx – Southbank Centre and Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 

Carmen, cours d’assizes – Diana Soh and Alexandra LaCroix, TAP Poitiers

voice(less) – Harpa, Dark Music Days, Reykjavik 

p.e.r.s.o.n.a.l.c.l.u.t.t.e.r. – Salurinn, Dark Music Days, Reykjavik