Experience into opera

An opera that aims to bring to life the subjective experience of dementia and reduce the stigma surrounding the condition is to be staged in English and Welsh in North Wales.

The opera, entitled Y Bont/The Bridge, blends the human voice and instrumental music to create a piece giving the audience a sense of what dementia sounds and feels like. It stems from Exeter University’s Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) research programme.

Professor Linda Clare, IDEAL chief investigator, said: “Using performance is a powerful way to bring our research findings to life and convey aspects of what it can be like to live with dementia, or support someone with dementia. We learn a great deal, too, when audience members share their insightful reflections on what they have seen and heard.”

Performances take place at the Ucheldre Centre in Holyhead on 31 March and the Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre in Bangor on 1 April.

For a preview click HERE