- Director, Ella Marchment
- Conductor, Michael Rosewell
- Composer, Libby Larsen
- Librettist, Libby Larsen and Bridget Carpenter
- Designer, Madeleine Boyd
- Choreographer, Adam Haigh
- Royal College of Music
- Britten Theatre, London
- UK premiere
- June–July 2023
Synopsis
Barnum’s Bird is the story of a relationship ahead of its time – that of the ‘great showman’ PT Barnum, and his star opera singer, Jenny Lind.
Known as the ‘Swedish Nightingale’, Jenny Lind was the most treasured soprano of her time, with a reputation that would have rivalled that of Elvis Presley or the Beatles. A savvy businesswoman, she went on an American tour in 1850 with Barnum, who put Lind’s name on cigars, soap and cakes, and marketed her personality – something that had never been seen before.
Grammy Award-winning composer Libby Larsen’s chamber opera in two acts is a story of art, artists and the human soul. At the same time, it’s a tale of how great art serves commerce and profit, as well as humanity, and makes us question our own experiences as a consumer of entertainment.
Synopsis by Royal College of Music.
Video
Video courtesy of Adam Haigh
Photos
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-17-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-4-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i0.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-2-681x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-18-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-1-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-6-681x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i1.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-10-681x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i0.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-5-681x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-16-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i1.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-3-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-12-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i1.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-11-681x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i0.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-8-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-7-681x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i0.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-9-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i0.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-13-681x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i0.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-14-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnum’s Bird directed by Ella Marchment for The Royal College of Music July 2023 Photo copyright Chris Christodoulou](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-direct-by-Ella-Marchment-for-The-Royal-College-of-Music-July-2023-Photo-copyright-Chris-Christodoulou-15-1024x681.jpg?ssl=1)
![Barnums Bird directed by Ella Marchment for the Royal College of Music - (c) RCM](https://i2.wp.com/ellamarchment.org/wp-content/uploads/Barnums-Bird-directed-by-Ella-Marchment-for-the-Royal-College-of-Music-c-RCM-1024x682.jpg?ssl=1)
All photos (C) Chris Christodoulou