Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio

Hello, Cincinnati! Good evening. I’m so excited to hear that the Cincinnati Opera is putting on my Liverpool Oratorio.

This work is really special for me because it was the first large scale thing like this that I’d done, and it’s largely based on a lot of events from my childhood. The school I went to… the teacher, Miss Inkley, who was the only female teacher in a school of a thousand boys. So it’s really true, as it says in the opera, where she says, ‘Hello, boys. You can call me, ‘Sir.’ Well, as 11-year-olds, it’s a little difficult to make sense of that.

But anyway, I love the piece, and I love that you’re doing it there in Cincinnati. So I hope you have a great evening. Thank you very much for putting it on. I wish I was there with you, but I can’t be there. So I’m here. So have a great one. Thank you.

Paul McCartney – Through a pre-taped message that played for the capacity crowd in Cincinnati Music Hall’s 2,300-capacity Springer Auditorium before the opening night – From Paul McCartney Sends Message For Debut of ‘Liverpool Oratorio’ Opera (billboard.com), July 19, 2024

From Liverpool Oratorio — Cincinnati Opera:

PAUL MCCARTNEY’S
LIVERPOOL ORATORIO

JULY 18 & 20, 2024 | 7:30 PM
JULY 21 & 27, 2024 | 3:00 PM
MUSIC HALL • SPRINGER AUDITORIUM

Music and libretto by Paul McCartney and Carl Davis

Sung in English with projected lyrics

FOR THE WHOLE WERE WE BORN.

Memories from Paul McCartney’s life in Liverpool England inspire chapters on growing up and finding our way. Beginning with Latin which means, “not for ourselves, but for the whole were we born,” the piece explores formative moments, relationships, and the responsibilities we face. See the world premiere opera adaptation of McCartney’s acclaimed work for orchestra and voices, a powerful story full of heartfelt lyrics and effortless melodies.

From Cincinnati Business Courier, September 20, 2023:

The music and the libretto of the “Liverpool Oratorio” are entirely McCartney’s work. But because McCartney doesn’t read or write music, he needed a partner – Davis – to orchestrate the parts, set the texts and make a full vocal and orchestral score, said Evans Mirageas, Cincinnati Opera artistic director.

“I knew it existed, it sold millions of copies, and that it had been performed over 100 times as a concert work, like Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah,’” Mirageas said. “So I bought a score and listened to it, and thought, they’ve actually created an opera. There’s just no staging.”

The oratorio had everything necessary for opera: drama, character development, glorious choruses, arias and intimate duets. Mirageas contacted McCartney’s publisher, who said others have had the same idea, but an opera never came to fruition.

The publisher contacted McCartney, who asked for more details. His answer came back quickly. “We had his blessing,” Mirageas said.

McCartney wrote in a letter to the company, “I am writing to express my wholehearted support for this project. I believe that Cincinnati Opera is uniquely positioned to bring this work to life in a new way, and I have no doubt that your production will be an inspiring experience for all who see it … I look forward to its premiere next summer.”

In terms of staging, Mirageas felt the work needed a designer and director who had a connection to North England, especially the industrial cities. Caroline Clegg will direct. Sets and costumes will be designed by Leslie Travers. Lighting will be overseen by Thomas C. Hase.

Mirageas also thought that the musical interludes in the work were “crying out for dance.” There will be choreography by Michael Pappalardo.

The opera-to-be calls for operatic voices. The oratorio was premiered by the legendary soprano Kiri Te Kanawa and tenor Jerry Hadley.

“I think it’s important to understand that this piece is genuine opera. It is not pop songs,” Mirageas said. “He found a vein of creativity in this work that is genuinely operatic.”

Mirageas spent “a magical afternoon” going through the score with Davis, who also conducted the oratorio’s world premiere in Liverpool Cathedral. Unfortunately, Davis died unexpectedly in August. […]

Will McCartney come to the premiere? His manager believes he will unless he is occupied on a tour. […]

From Come Together Cincy — Cincinnati Opera:

This summer, Cincinnati Opera presents the world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. It’s a powerful story, full of heartfelt lyrics and soaring melodies, written by Paul McCartney and Carl Davis in 1991 for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society. While it has been performed around the world, it has never been presented with full scenery, costumes, lighting, and choreography—until now.

Everyone is invited to come together to #GetPaulToMusicHall, show the world how special the Greater Cincinnati region is—and why Sir Paul said “Yes!” to this historic production happening right here.

#GETPAULTOMUSICHALL

Greater Cincinnati comes together to #GetPaulToMusicHall for the world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio happening right here at Music Hall this summer!

Make your shareable digital video tribute to Sir Paul letting him know how special he is to you and why he should visit Cincinnati this summer. Post your video on your favorite social media channel tagged with #GetPaulToMusicHall and #CincyOpera. […]

Cincinnati Music Hall, Springer Auditorium

This was the 1st concert played at Cincinnati Music Hall, Springer Auditorium.

A total of 4 concerts have been played there • 2024 • Jul 18th • Jul 20th • Jul 21st • Jul 27th