Thematic analysis of Opera Spanga policy plan for 2021-2024

For the purposes of the present thesis a policy plan document produced by Opera Spanga for the period 2021-2024 “The Northern Opera House for new and old ears”

was analysed. The thematic analysis method was conducted in order to identify the narrative of Opera Spanga regarding its social impact. In particular, we tried to find relevant references to our research questions in the text. Furthermore, we tried to examine whether or not Opera Spanga can be characterised as a “community arts”

project or at least if it is self-identified as one. It is interesting to see that the document does not include any reference to the term community arts nor does it focus on the benefits to the local community of Spanga as social impact. However, there are some references to the close connection with the location and the community with phrases like “socially relevant opera productions in vital relationship with the surroundings”

(2020, p. 1)

The strong relationship of the organisation with the community is mentioned in the paragraph 5.2 Community (Mienskip) in the swamp; we meet a national and regional need. In this paragraph, it is highlighted that Opera Spanga brings attention and visitors to the area, namely “Opera Spanga has been putting Spanga on the Frisian and

national map since 1989” and also “it has become a necessity of life in the region, both for those involved and for visitors”. (2020, p. 5) In other words, the document supports the opinion that the opera has a positive impact on the revitalization and growth of the area. At the same time, artistic Director Corina van Eijk admits that “The cooperation of the community (mienskip in Frisian) is of great importance for the success of the productions.” She also mentions that opera Spanga has worked with several generations of Spanga residents both in front of and behind the scenes with no former experience of theatre. However, apart from implying that the opera has widened the cultural horizons of the local participants no other benefit to their personal or public life is mentioned.

The social impact of Opera Spanga seems interrelated to its artistic vision in paragraphs 4 and 5 where art is seen “as a means to stimulate awareness and to think ethically” (2020, p. 4). This objective is achieved through classic pieces because of their universal content, but through a modern prism that includes video projections, festival-like location etc. Thus, the combination of classical and modern is something that the organisation wants to be known for and the reason its productions are addressed to a diverse audience. This quote implies that the Opera Spanga productions widen the horizons of the audience but also make them think critically by experiencing a different view on classic art that can by extension produce critical thinking of political regimes, social issues and other aspects of life.

The other social impact mentioned in the document is the development of sustainable encounters in a time when everything is temporary. As stated in their policy plan for 2021-24, “ We want to connect people through our work and show them that they cannot make it as individuals, but must form a community, preferably a sharing community.” From these lines we can understand that Opera Spanga wants to foster the concept of community, develop tolerance and build bridges among the different groups in it. It is also something conveyed from their productions that often include main characters from suppressed or marginalised groups (jews; After the Flood, Anne

and Zef, gipsies; Carmen) and deal with the issues of racism, sexism, antisemitism, but also from the fact that the organisation consist of a multinational cast and crew.

On a personal level, the document refers to the transformative character of opera and its contributions to identity development. “Developing your own identity, by connecting with society, is essential to become a complete human being. Broadening your gaze and experiencing strong emotions can help cause us to act differently in our daily lives.” (Opera Spanga, 2020 ,p. 5) In other words, by broadening the horizons of their audience, opera performances can change the way people act in their personal lifes but also in the social domain. In addition, this process can be also seen as a positive impact on mental health as discussed in the case of ancient drama.

The layered and multi-headed medium opera shows us practically everything a human being is capable of - even all its dark sides. The core message of our exciting and contemporary operas leaves no one unmoved. The images we create relate directly to our primal feelings about paradise, hate, hell, love, about our fear of the Apocalypse, which lives as long as our own agony. (Opera Spanga, 2020, p.1)

This quote implies that through the performances the audience can identify themselves in the main characters and have a better understanding of their feelings in a healing and consolatory way.

Finally, the major social impact stated in this policy document is the educational projects of Opera Spanga. Since 2020 there is a change of focus towards more educational projects, aimed at a young audience from age 12 and over. This attempt includes two phases; first to educate the audience of the future by introducing the genre of opera to children and adolescents at school and b) the second phase is the development of future creators by including young talents in the productions alongside professional artists. For these reasons, several partnerships with schools mainly from the north provinces and conservatories from around the Netherlands have been established.

With regard to young audience development, specially designed operas with youth thematics like Anne & Zef (2018) or Madame Scrooge (2021) are performed throughout the year in schools, youth centres and on location. This youth opera is something that the organisation aims to continue on an annual basis as since 2021 Opera Spanga has a winter location in the village. “To keep the future alive, we ourselves will have to provide a new growth of audiences with 'new ears'. In 2020 we developed the project WAKE UP! a head start on our ambitions to have an annual opera for young people in 2021-2024.” (Opera Spanga, 2020, p. 6) At the same time, a lot of effort is made in order to support the development of the international and Dutch young talents.

Young makers participate in all facets of the performance. (...) They are responsible for art direction, makeup design and sfx/video editing. Our ideal environment - a place that defies convention and offers targeted opportunities to develop a love for the medium -gives young talent a diverse range of opportunities. (2020, p.3)

An example is the summer 2022 production “After the Flood” where student composers created 5 scenes of the opera under the supervision of professional composer Floris van Bergeijk. In addition, 3 of the 10 performances were made especially for schools that visited Opera Spanga on location and were followed by focused discussions led by expert Arnold Helmantel on diversity and inclusion.

From all the above, we can conclude that the Opera Spanga organisation is not self-identified as a community art project, however, they acknowledge the strong connection with the location and community of Spanga. The document argues that Opera Spanga brings attention to the Frisian village and supports its viability, but at the same time recognises the importance of the community’s involvement in every production as well as in the company’s identity. The focus of this document, and by extension the main arguments for acclaiming public funding are the impacts on the audience’s personal development, community empowerment and their educational programs for talent development and audience growth. In particular, educational

activities are seen as the major social impact of Opera Spanga, while the other parameters that are also discussed in the present thesis are not widely acknowledged.