The Redwall Opera

Illustration © Christopher Denise

Brian Jacques is a true fan of opera, and devotes considerable time on his radio show, "Jakestown", to the opera. He's a veritable expert on the three tenors. It seems only fitting that his first work has become the subject of an opera.

Redwall is the basis for a children's opera (actually a musical theatre piece) called The Legend of Redwall Abbey, produced by OperaDelaware.

The composer/librettist, Evelyn Swensson, worked on this project for over a year with the assistance of Brian Jacques. The work follows the book very closely.

The premiere performance was presented March 1998, at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware.

Public performances were presented

Saturday, March 7, 1998 at 3:00 pm
Sunday, March 8, 1998 at 3:00 pm

Daytime school performances were presented:

Thursday, March 5, 1998 at 10:30 am
Friday, March 6, 1998 at 9:30 am and 12:00 noon
Monday, March 9, 1998 at 9:30 am and 12:00 noon
Tuesday, March 10, 1998 at 9:30 am and 12:00 noon.

Over 7,000 kids from schools throughout the Delaware Valley were invited to the school performances.

An encore performance was presented Thursday July 1st, 1999. Here are some photos from OperaDelaware's performances of The Legend of Redwall Abbey graciously provided by Ted Sacher of Natural Photography: