Riverside ECHG - Homeless people perform World Premiere of “new choral masterpiece” at Royal Festival Hall

Hostel residents from English Churches Housing Group (ECHG), were part of a choir made up of homeless people from across the country who performed the World Premiere of the new choral piece, My Secret Heart, at London’s Royal Festival Hall (Wednesday 3 December).

Inspired by Gregorio Allegri's 17th-century choral masterpiece Miserere Mei, My Secret Heart, was performed by 80 people, including 17 from ECHG’s hostels in London and Middlesbrough, in the production by leading electronic composer Mira Calix.

Throughout the autumn, ECHG residents have been practising in workshops across the UK, brought together by the groundbreaking Streetwise Opera charity. Streetwise Opera uses music as a tool to help people who have experienced homelessness reconnect with their emotions, gain self esteem and move forward with their lives.

Homeless participants helped devise the dramatic movements of the piece and were involved in the filming for the installation’s video. They also underwent intensive drama workshops at venues around the country to prepare for the performance.

One of ECHG’s participating residents, Craig, said: “It has brought my confidence out and made me think about enrolling into college to do drama classes - while keeping my self occupied I have been able to reduce my methadone intake. It was a good experience and I’m looking forward to going to London and hope for more things in the future.”
Homeless participants helped devise the dramatic movements of the piece and were involved in the filming for the installation’s video. They also underwent intensive drama workshops at venues around the country to prepare for the performance.

One of ECHG’s Support Workers from its Middlesbrough hostel, Joanne O’Connor, stood alongside her residents to sing the new piece. She said: “I have been involved with Streetwise Opera since it started in November 2007 and participated in all the sessions. I have witnessed the massive impact it’s had on our residents. I am extremely proud of all the hard work and commitment the residents had put into the performance to make it a professional show.”

Innovative to the last, the event comprised of not just the Operatic Performance, but also a stand-alone installation and a DVD film. It brought together different formats, using flat screen TVs and combining them with speakers and singers, making it a truly unique experience.

After the World Premiere the film and soundtrack are now embarking on a world tour to around 40 venues worldwide including New York, Sydney and Paris – that means that the piece the participants have created will be viewed by an estimated 50,000 people worldwide.