ArtHouse Jersey and Jersey Opera House have announced an open call for local chorus members to take part in Held in the Tide, a new opera created for and with the people of Jersey.
The production will premiere on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March at 7.30pm at the newly reopened Jersey Opera House
As part of the production, ArtHouse Jersey is inviting 20 to 25 Islanders aged 18 and over to join the community chorus. No professional experience or audition is required, and the call is open to confident performers and enthusiastic beginners alike who enjoy singing and want to be part of a collaborative creative process.
Held in the Tide is a contemporary, one hour opera that blends classical, folk and electronic music, with a story shaped by Jersey’s landscapes, rhythms and lived experience. Performed in accessible, everyday language and recommended for ages 10+, the work is designed to be welcoming for those new to opera as well as regular audiences.
The opera begins with a storm, a shoreline and the re-emergence of three long buried stones, prompting tensions between Lillie, a geologist returning home after years away, and Frances, an artist deeply rooted in the Island. As the story unfolds, the work explores themes of memory, identity, progress and belonging.
The production is led by internationally acclaimed Jersey born mezzo soprano Georgia Mae Bishop and performed by three professional singers and four musicians, all born on the Island. It is the culmination of a year long collaboration between world class opera makers and young Islanders aged 18 to 30, developed through open workshops and creative exchanges.
Chorus members will work closely with the creative team, including Creative Director Georgia Mae Bishop, Musical Director Ashley Beauchamp, Stage Director Cecilia Stinton and Chorus Director Grace Garnier. The chorus will play a central role in shaping the sound, atmosphere and emotional landscape of the production.
Participants will receive vocal and performance guidance from leading professionals and gain experience performing in a world premiere opera. Rehearsals will run from January to March 2026 and will include Monday evening rehearsals, Sunday sessions and production week rehearsals, culminating in two performances at Jersey Opera House.
Producer at ArtHouse Jersey, Robyn Cabaret, said: “Creating Held in the Tide has been an extraordinary journey. From the very beginning, our aim was to redefine a post-medieval artform, moving beyond opera’s traditionally male-dominated narratives and create something that feels unmistakably Jersey: shaped by our landscapes, our humour, and the many voices of the people who call this Island home. What emerged is a work that is bold, generous, and deeply human. We’re incredibly excited to share it with audiences of all ages next spring, and we hope Islanders will feel proud of the story we’ve created together.”
Programme Manager for Jersey Opera House, Rebecca Stanier, said: “We hope that having the voices of the Island showcased in this exciting, accessible and collaborative new opera will appeal to a broad audience; from newcomers to opera lovers and everyone in between. We’re delighted to be supporting such a local, community led project, with Jersey being amplified through both the storytelling and performers, which will be a huge highlight in our Spring programme.”
Pictured: Georgia Mae Bishop by Max Burnett
