The Relatives (Try Out)

Friday 9 January 2026, 6pm

CBSO Centre, Birmingham

Tickets: FREE

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Sergej Newski’s opera The Relatives: Videoconference of a Crimean Family 1912–2025 will be a moving work combining live music with groundbreaking AI-driven audio-visual technology.

Through a lens on five generations of the composer’s own family, from his great grandmother to his daughter, it tells a story of survival. From war, occupation and famine, The Relatives offers a unique perspective on a multi-ethnic Crimea that has maintained her humanity and sense of humour against all the odds.

Ahead of its world premiere in September 2026, we invite you to this ‘Try Out’, where we present a scene from the opera following two days of workshops.

Read the programme notes

Artists

Mimi Doulton Mezzo-soprano

James Quilligan Baritone

John Reid Piano

Melvin Tay Conductor

Creative Team

Gareth Mattey Librettist

Yan Kalnberzin Videographer

Stephan Meier Artistic Director

Stage Realisation

Taran Singh AI Lead

Oliver Farrow AI Technician

Mat Spencer Stage Technician

Programme

Sergej Newski (b.1972): Tarussa (2020) for mezzo-soprano, piano and playback, 8'

Alban Berg (1885–1935): Vier Gesänge, Op. 2 (1909–10) for voice and piano – I. 'Schlafen, schlafen', 3'

Anton Webern (1883–1945): Fünf Lieder aus ‘Der siebente Ring’, Op. 3 (1908–09) for voice and piano – II. ‘Im Windesweben’ and V. ‘Kahl reckt der Baum’, 2'

Sergej Newski: Prologue from The Relatives: Videoconference of a Crimean Family 1912–2025 (2025) for mezzo-soprano, baritone, piano and playback, 5'

This project is supported through CreaTech Frontiers and delivered as part of the ‘Technology Mediation in Contemporary Opera’ Conference at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Want to get involved? 

Our wonderful supporters mean we can commission The Relatives as a full-length opera. We say thank you by naming them in the score, inviting them to rehearsals, and the world première, where they can meet the composer.

For more info visit www.bcmg.org.uk/sound-investment. You can support a piece as a one-off through Sound Investment or give monthly through Sound Investment Monthly.

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