YOUNG people from across County Durham will join with local singers and professional musicians next month to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta with a new community opera, which will be performed in both Durham and Middlesbrough cathedrals.

The Magna Carta, which incidentally is Latin for The Great Charter, was a peace-making document drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to settle unrest between King John and a group of rebel barons. Issued on June 15, 1215 at Runnymede near Windsor, it promised the protection of church rights, protection for the barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown. The Magna Carta subsequently formed the basis of the American and French revolutions, shaped the constitutions of postcolonial nations, and inspired the configuration of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is now the theme of a new community opera.

The main themes of equality before the law, democracy, and freedom have been woven together by composer Timothy Craig Harrison and librettist Paul Hodgson, to create The Great Charter, an opera spread across two periods in time: that of King John and a futuristic period.

Librettist Paul Hodgson explained: “Any tale of oppression and injustice remains relevant for all time and Timothy and I felt that a double narrative would increase the immediacy of the issues being put on stage. The Great Charter, is not just about the Magna Carta and the conflict between King John and the Barons, there is a parallel futuristic story told in alternate scenes about a totalitarian state run by the Protector.”

The opera, which is a community-focused project, will be performed by professional musicians, the Durham Singers, Durham Cathedral Young Singers, and DCYS VOX: both choirs formed as part of Durham Cathedral’s music outreach programme, and Middlesbrough Cathedral Choristers.

The choirs will be joined by soloists Deryck Webb (tenor), Clare Tunney (soprano) and Harriet Beckham (mezzo-soprano) and children from St Edwards RC, St Augustine's RC, and St Bernadette's RC Primary Schools in Middlesbrough and pupils from Durham Johnston School, Durham.

Composer Timothy Craig Harrison said: “The Great Charter is an opera for everyone; adults and children and I hope that everyone will enjoy being part of it either as an actor, singer, orchestral musician or member of the audience.”

Michael Sadgrove, Dean of Durham adds: “The creation of a community opera in celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, was conceived by the Cathedral and the Durham Singers. I am delighted that the Cathedral is both a commissioner and a venue for this new and imaginative work. It is also particularly pleasing to be working with another faith organisation, the Catholic Cathedral of St Mary’s, Middlesbrough and primary schools in its Diocese. These world premier performances promise to be wonderful evenings of cultural enrichment.”

Durham Cathedral holds three issues of Magana Carta, 1216, 1225 and 1300. The 1216 copy is the only surviving copy from this date and will be on display at Palace Green Library as part of its Magna Carta and the Changing Face of Revolt exhibition this summer.

The Great Charter opera will take place in Durham Cathedral on June 13 and at Middlesbrough Cathedral on June at 20

  • Tickets for both performances from Durham’s Gala Theatre, Box Office on 03000-266-600, or galadurham.co.uk