Push

Powerful new opera explores themes of invasion, loss and the redeeming power of human goodness.

Following the World Première on October 1st, a semi-staged version of this inspirational opera comes to Battle, specially commissioned for Battle Festival 2016 and the ROOT 1066 International Festival in partnership with Glyndebourne and the De La Warr Pavilion.

Taking inspiration from events that shaped our history, PUSH explores themes of invasion, loss and the redeeming power of human kindness. Written by internationally acclaimed composer Howard Moody, the opera is inspired by the compelling, true story of Simon Gronowski, who was pushed from a train bound for Auschwitz by his mother in 1943. Yet the story neither begins nor ends there.

The narrative also draws on various accounts of those who have experienced refugee and prisoner status, including events of 2016; ‘The Jungle’ in Calais, the mass arrival of Syrian refugees into Europe, and the scenes from the train stations in Budapest as refugees were trapped whilst trying to board trains.

PUSH is supported by Arts Council England, Hastings Borough Council, Rother District Council, East Sussex Arts Partnership, Chalk Cliff Trust, Magdalen and Lasher Charity, Battle Partnership.

PUSH is a Battle Festival production in partnership with Glyndebourne and the De La Warr Pavilion for Root 1066 International Festival.