Held in the Tide, a brand-new opera for Jersey
…and launch an open call for local chorus members.
ArtHouse Jersey and Jersey Opera House are delighted to announce Held in the Tide, an ambitious new opera created for and with the people of Jersey, premiering on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March at 7.30pm at the newly reopened Jersey Opera House. Held in the Tide marks a landmark moment: a contemporary opera shaped directly by Jersey’s people, performed by Jersey-born professionals alongside a community chorus, and rooted in the living stories of our Island.
Blending live classical, folk, and electronic music with a story grounded in the rhythms and questions of Island life, Held in the Tide offers audiences an evocative, modern theatrical experience that is powerful, welcoming, and accessible.
At just one hour long and performed in everyday, relatable language, it serves as an ideal entry point for those who have never experienced opera before.The score draws on the Island’s sound world; its rhythms, tides, and multilingual textures. With its imaginative moments, emotional depth, and multi-layered storytelling, the production is recommended for ages 10+, opening the door for younger audiences and families to enjoy the artform in a fresh, contemporary way.
A story shaped by Jersey
The opera begins with a storm, a shoreline, and the sudden re-emergence of three long-buried stones. From this moment, tensions unravel between Lillie, a geologist returning home after years away, and Frances, an artist deeply rooted in the Island. As the stones reappear, so too do questions about memory, identity, progress, and the delicate balance between preserving what we inherit and embracing what comes next.
Rich with humour, humanity, and emotional depth, Held in the Tide invites audiences to reflect on what it means to belong. The piece is led by internationally acclaimed Jersey-born mezzo-soprano Georgia Mae Bishop and performed by three professional singers and four musicians who were all born on the Island. Their work is the culmination of a year-long collaboration between world-class opera-makers and young Islanders aged 18–30, developed through open workshops and creative exchanges that place Jersey’s lived experience at the centre of the storytelling.
This is opera made differently: community-rooted, modern in tone, and crafted with care by many hands.
Pictured: Georgia Mae Bishop by Max Burnett
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.”
Open call: Islanders invited to join the Held in the Tide chorus
As part of this landmark cultural moment, ArtHouse Jersey is launching an Island-wide callout for 20–25 chorus members to join the production. Whether participants are confident performers or enthusiastic beginners, the team welcomes anyone aged 18+ living in Jersey who enjoys singing and is excited to be part of a vibrant creative process. No professional experience or audition is required.
The chorus 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, and 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, gain experience performing an original world-premiere opera, and become part of a joyful, collaborative community of makers. The full rehearsal period runs from January to March 2026, with a mix of Monday evening rehearsals, Sunday sessions, and production-week rehearsals, culminating in two performances at Jersey Opera House.
Those interested can express interest via the short sign-up form on the ArtHouse Jersey website’s Opportunities page.
A major creative milestone for the Island
Held in the Tide is part of Raise Your Voice, Jersey!, an ambitious project seeking to expand who opera is for, how it is made, and whose voices it represents. Through story-gathering sessions, residencies, and community workshops, Islanders have helped shape this work at every stage, ensuring the opera resonates with local experiences and feels deeply connected to Jersey’s cultural identity.
Held in the Tide is commissioned and produced by ArtHouse Jersey, developed and presented in partnership with Jersey Opera House, and supported by Coutts Crown Dependencies as part of ArtHouse Jersey's New Work Programme.
Tickets are £20 and available via Jersey Opera House website and box office.
