Mahogany Opera and Britten Pears Arts will present the world premiere of “A Christmas Miracle,” a new community opera by Errollyn Wallen, Master of The King’s Music, at Orford Church on Nov. 20 and 21, 2026.

The work is inspired by Benjamin Britten’s unrealized plans for an intergenerational community opera on the Christmas story, to be titled “A Christmas Sequence.” It uses text from the Chester Mystery Plays and includes settings of Christmas carols for audience participation.

Developed by Mahogany Opera and co-produced by Britten Pears Arts, the production is supported by Jubilee Opera and Orkney Music and Culture.

Frederic Wake-Walker directs, Ruth Paton is lead designer, and Jerwood Foundation is providing support to Jodi Rabinowitz as lighting designer. John Andrews conducts.

Sopranos Hilary Cronin and Emma Tring share the role of Angel Gabriel. Countertenor Andrew Watts sings Herod, mezzo-soprano Idunnu Münch is Melchior, and actor-singer Nick Mercer is Preco/MC. Robert Gildon is cast as Balthasar. Ensemble X will perform, and amateur musicians recruited in each location will support them in certain sections.

The Nov. 20 performance kicks off at 6:30 p.m.. There will be two performances the following day with one at 3 p.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m. The production will then travel to St. Magnus Cathedral in Orkney, Wallen’s home, for performances on Dec. 4 and 5.