“The actual performance of the new community opera surely constitute the proverbial tip of the iceberg. The months & months of preparation and workshopping must have been a hugely valuable experience for all involved whether they appeared on stage or not. The event really was a community enterprise… the scale was daunting. There were 5 orchestras.. dotted about the auditorium.. more than 150 singers of every known age, race and gender… nothing but praise. ”

— Rodney Milnes, Opera Magazine

“The event really was a community enterprise… the scale was daunting. There were 5 orchestras.. dotted about the auditorium.. more than 150 singers of every known age, race and gender… nothing but praise. ”

— Rodney Milnes, Opera Magazine

Hats off to the young and old of Hackney…

In 2002, HMDT Music launched Operaction Hackney, a programme offering adult language and literacy courses which would lead to the production of a new community opera for Hackney. Our vision was motivated by what was then the seeds of our now entrenched methodology of embedding the arts across all learning.

With learners and a wide range of musical groups contributing to the new work through writing and composition workshops with librettist Alasdair Middleton and composer Matthew King, On London Fields was born.

A theatrical stage with a large audience, featuring a scene from the musical 'Les Misérables.' The scene shows characters dressed in 19th-century costumes, with some kneeling and others standing, around a staircase. A backdrop displays a cosmic or nebula-like image, and a large telescope prop is set on stage.

Performed at Hackney Empire in 2004 by several different community performing groups from across the borough, the opera told the historical story of 17th century Hackney’s various religious and political groups brought together by local seer Hannah Trapnel rebelling against Oliver Cromwell’s regime and how they came together as a community.

Performers dressed in period costumes dancing and playing drums on stage during a theatrical performance with a large cast in the background.

“I doubt other boroughs (less mixed demographically) would provide such a rich experience. The objectives of HMDT I think are remarkable. Long may it continue to be so diversely creative.”

— Mary Todd, performer

Stage scene from a theatrical production depicting a woman in a blue dress and white shawl standing with arms outstretched on a platform, surrounded by women in blue dresses and white head coverings, with a backdrop of falling snow and a large moon.

“The music is lovely. Matthew King has written me a fabulous aria. I have never been involved with a community project like this before, but HMDT Music seems to have a great talent for doing it. ”

— Sally Burgess, opera singer

“The most powerful aspect of the experience for me is the fact that the standard was set resolutely high… it is quite something to determine to do something well and it was great to be a part of something built on that ethos.”

— Sam Hellmuth, performer

A group of actors in historical costumes performing on stage, with an elderly woman in the foreground gesturing while speaking.

“The atmosphere was a real joy. Bravo to the minds behind this and all the excellent people making it happen. I thought the co-ordination of so many different elements was absolutely superb.”

— Thelma Owen, Academy of St Martin in the Fields

We are proud that Operaction Hackney: On London Fields won the Royal Philharmonic Society music award for Education in 2004.

A theatrical stage performance featuring people dressed in historical costumes, with some wearing large hats and red sashes, on a multi-level set. The background displays a sign that reads 'Execution'.

Theatrical performance with actors in historical costumes, including women in white bonnets and black dresses, and a man in a black coat and hat, on stage.

“What mattered most was the unselfconscious eagerness shown by every amateur singer or player, tiny child or senior citizen. ”

— Stephen Pettitt, The Evening Standard

“Using an existing story that has genuine local relevance as a basis for the action proved to be much more effective dramatically than some of the confections that have been put together in recent years under the banner of community opera. ”

— Clare Stevens, Opera Now

A theatrical scene with children in period costumes portraying nuns, peasants, and other roles on stage with a dark background, showing expressions of anger, fear, or sadness, and a man standing behind them with his hands raised.

“On London Fields is not just about these performances. It is about a process, during which people have discovered amazing creativity within themselves.”

— Adam Eisenberg, HMDT General Director

A woman is angrily shouting and holding a hook-shaped object, surrounded by other women who appear attentive or concerned, in a theatrical performance."

A group of people on stage, with some raising their right hands, performing in a theatrical production. The scene features diverse characters in period costumes, with dark background and stage lighting.

“There was an intense feeling of physical and artistic involvement, and pride in what was being made.”

— Marilyn Kingwill, The Times

“I have met and engaged with my neighbours; together we achieved something extraordinary. I have learned so much about my community, met some brilliant people and gained a lot of vocal confidence. Loved every minute of it. ”

— Martina Messing, performer