Everyman Opera

05/05/2026

Have just completed the fifth, and final libretto (What Is Signed) in the Al-Uzza cycle. A couple of the more harrowing ones were based on true events. What I am sharing with audiences is exploring how systems exist before us—and how we make them real through participation. Each of these librettos has gone off to different opera companies for dramaturgial assessment. Here's hoping for some excellent news🫰Here is a pictorial depiction of the cycle, which may better capture the thesis that I am hoping to stage. So far, I have approached 7 opera companies that work in experimental productions such as these. I am intrigued as to whether any will contact me with development in mind 🎭

18/03/2026

🎬 Filmmakers wanted (Oxford area) – Opera project

This is a small-scale Phase 1 filming for a new opera development project. We’re recording a set of arias with mezzo soprano, baritone, and pianist in a private house setting — more workshop than performance.

What I’m looking for is:

Coverage of 2 recording sessions (dates TBC).

A simple but well-framed setup (ideally wide + close shots)
Priority on clear audio and capturing the singers’ expressions
Some natural rehearsal/process footage (no heavy staging)

Deliverables:

A 2–4 minute edited video (development-style, not a polished promo); access to the raw footage

In terms of budget, I’m working lean at this stage — I can offer a modest sum for both sessions and the edit, plus covering transport and providing food on the day.

There will be a second phase with a live audience where a more formal sizzle reel will be created, so there’s potential for further work if this goes well.

Let me know if this aligns, and if you have any examples of similar work. Excellent opportunity for student filmakers building their portfolios.

Interested? DM me or email: [email protected] with a link to your work + role you’re interested in. Background info: Everyman Opera fb; YouTube (John Tatlow)

Happy to share more details! 🎼

01/03/2026

Just the other night, the idea came to me that earlier music recorded by Spyros for my libretto 'Sheikh Muhammad' could be recorded along with the arias from 'Pawn Queen'. Spyros thinks this is an excellent idea also, and has given me the go ahead. Thus, when I attend the recording session, the baritone shall be singing 2 arias from 'Pawn Queen', plus 1 from 'Sheikh Muhammad'. The mezzo-soprano will also be singing 2 arias from 'Pawn Queen', plus 2 from 'Sheikh Muhammad'. I explain in the video how the timeline is shortening: that Spyros is likely to have completed the laboratory work, scoring the music to the 4 arias from 'Pawn Queen' by mid April. 🌠🧞‍♂️
What is exceedingly exciting is that I shall now be approaching opera houses with not one opera idea, but three. This has come about from my incorporating the same arias from 'Sheikh Muhammad' (which just was not working for me) into first a redrafted piece that I entitled 'The Cutting Room'🧞. Later, I decided on an alternative story arc - again, with the same music, sung by the same players - and this libretto came to be named 'One Arabian Night'🧞‍♀️. So, 3 operas instead of the 1.
You shall get to hear the music after the recordings have been made. Expect this to be in May. I am very wary of there being people who may possibly capture the melody/idea for themselves, and gain from the collaborative enterprise of Spyros, and myself.

Just the other night, the idea came to me that earlier music recorded by Spyros for my libretto 'Sheikh Muhammad' could be recorded along with the arias from...

26/02/2026

Spyros emails to say that he has completed the first aria. He will have done the 4 by the last week of April, if he maintains this work rate 🏃‍♂️‍➡️🎼 Good news too with my request for singers, pianist, piano, and recording space. Composer John McCool works with choirs, so knows plenty of singers. He also has contact with a pianist who plays for opera voices. That would be a bonus! As one would expect, John has a piano at home, and space to record Pawn Queen's sample arias for the opera houses. Everything is going tickerty-boo!! 👌

24/02/2026

Just registered my 10 libretti with the US Library of Congress: 1-15106164061:-

1. One Arabian Night
2. The Cutting Room
3. Seongbuk R***e
4. Syd Al-Nujum
5. Picasso
6. Maar-Picasso
7. Pawn Queen
8. Mordechai
9. In Pursuit of Matka Chai's Tea with the Taliban
10 Memento Mori

Better be safe than sorry. Thieving jays are ever about 😈

23/02/2026

Opera Update
Pawn Queen advances to the music making stage. As I failed to secure a grant from The Arts Council of England, Spyros Syrmos (composer) and I have gone to plan 'B'. Spyros is currently scoring the music for 4 arias from the opera. I anticipate that, come May, I shall be able to hear these works. Following this comes the making of audio/video recordings of performers singing these airs to piano accompaniment. These will form an essential part of the presentation material for general managers, and artistic directors to consider at opera houses worldwide. Hopes are high that I'll manage to persuade one house to finance, and stage a full production of Pawn Queen.

22/02/2026

Cast Call
Audio recordings showcasing the new opera ‘Pawn Queen’* required in Oxford UK, May, 2025. These to be included in the creative portfolio presented to opera houses worldwide. Opportunity for the following talent to take part:
1 mezzo soprano - 2 arias
1 baritone - 2 arias
1 Pianist
Respond with contact details: [email protected]; *YouTube; *Everyman Opera fb

31/12/2025

https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/lee-miller/members-private-view-lee-miller Just enjoyed my birthday, Tate membership gift off Fiona.

Tate Britain Private view Members Private View: Lee Miller London Private Views Pass required 4 February 2026 at 18.45–21.30 Free entry for Members Become a Member Visit the exhibition in these special times reserved for Members with the London Private Views pass With the most extensive retrospect...

22/12/2025

Merry Christmas. 2 years on from the founding of Everyman Opera. The vlog gives an update of where the project stands. Spyros Syrmos will be hired in March 2026 to write the musical score. I am waiting on funds to be agreed (or not) by The Arts Council of England. The vlog explains all.

Happy holidays, and Merry Xmas to evryone. 2 years on from founding Everyman Opera, and here is an update on how my 'Pawn Queen' opera project is progressing...

01/12/2025

ACE application submitted. £27,282 requested. The response will come in 14 weeks (Valentines '26). Here's a short clip of carnatic music usually associated with southern Indian weddings. The main traditional instruments for South Indian weddings are the Nadaswaram (a wind instrument) and the Thavil (a pair of drums). The Nadaswaram is considered highly auspicious and is played by two musicians at a time, accompanied by the Thavil drums and sometimes a drone instrument called the ottu (Wiki).

Nadaswaram is the lively music played during the wedding ceremony of South Indian Hindus. It is also the instrument that is a two and half foot long oboe acc...

22/11/2025

Pawn Queen moves closer to production. Hopefully, The Arts Fundraisers believe this to be the case. In which case I shall submit to ACE in the next few days 🎭🎼 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075873024282

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