Oratorio of Hope was our spectacular opening event for Croydon’s year as London Borough of Culture programme ‘This is Croydon’.
As part of this truly unique performance event, almost 400 local professional and amateur performers, young and old, joined us on stage in Fairfield Halls to present music created specially for the occasion in collaboration with local schools, communities, artists, multicultural groups and dance companies.
Motifs from the opening movement composed by Croydon-born, Grammy Award-nominated Tarik O’Regan were referenced in the seven following movements, composed by Fiona Brice, Sarah Freestone, Jeff Moore and SILVASTONE which brought together dance, specially commissioned films, spoken word, choirs, visual art, Afrobeats rhythms and traditional Indian instruments in a roof-raising celebration of all things Croydon.
Staging, colourful lighting, smoke effects and projections all contributed to the upbeat atmosphere enjoyed by the largest audience seen at Fairfield Halls for a classical concert since it closed for refurbishment in 2016.
As well as the Saturday and Sunday evening Oratorio performances in the Concert Hall, over 200 amateur Croydon performers took part in a Sunday Showcase of Croydon Talent which transformed the public open spaces of Fairfield Halls, inside and out, for one magnificent afternoon, with four stages showcasing the incredible diversity of music and dance being created across the borough.
The Oratorio of Hope felt like an Olympic opening ceremony. There was not a single person that I spoke to in the audience who was not thoroughly enthused, energised, and mesmerised by the performance or by the sheer positivity of the afternoon.Neil Ridulfa, showcase performer
Working with children and young people
Over 250 students from dozens of primary and secondary schools across the borough were involved in the spectacular finale, with young players from Croydon Music & Arts ensembles playing alongside us while accompanied by a mass Children’s Chorus.
Providing a platform for amateur performers
Over the opening weekend, we also held a free afternoon showcase of local Croydon talent in the public open spaces of Fairfield Halls, featuring performances from choirs, solo performers, dance groups and bands from all over the borough such as Beeja Dance, Croydon Salvation Army Band and Gospel Rising. Hundreds of people flooded in to enjoy the afternoon, with many in the audience either visiting Fairfield for the very first time, or returning for the first time since the pandemic.
I can count on one and a bit hands the large-scale projects I’ve worked on (over many years!) that have been equally as well designed, planned and delivered as this was. A truly joyful celebration.Sarah Freestone, composer
Press coverage
Oratorio of Hope gained a 4-star review from Richard Morrison in The Times, who described the event as “a buoyant and ingeniously constructed showcase,” highlighting the “joyous music,” “sheer quality of the participants,” “upbeat vibes” and “roof-raising finale”.
In addition, Oratorio of Hope featured on radio and TV, with features and interviews on ITV London and BBC London News, BBC Radio London and Resonance FM, and features in London and local press, including Inside Croydon.
We put our community centre stage
There’s no better way to celebrate the incredible talent in our home borough.
This project was supported by
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Mayor of London
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Arts Council England
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Croydon Council