15 / 10 / 2021
13 / 3 / 2013
Anya 17 goes to Germany
Anya17 will be performed amidst the stunning landscape of Thuringia at Kammerspiele des Meininger Theater in Meiningen with a cast from Theater Meiningen. The run will start on November 28th 2013 and finish on February 8th 2014.
The Meiningen Court Orchestra is one of the oldest and most tradition rich orchestras in Europe. Founded in 1690 by Duke Bernhard I, this elite 70-strong orchestra has attracted composers such as Johannes Brahms and musical direction from such luminaries as Hans von Bülow, Max Reger and Richard Strauss. The visionary Philippe Bach has been the Music Director since 2010.
The confirmed dates so far are: Nov 28th 2013, Dec 8th 2013, Dec 14th 2013, Jan 10th 2014, Feb 8th 2014
It is hoped that performances in other countries will follow.
Congratulations Anya 17!
14 / 4 / 2013
Anya17 is going west
The USA premiere of the award-winning opera Anya17 has been confirmed for June next year.
Anya17 will be performed in San Francisco by Opera Parallèle over June July 2014, highlighting the very serious contemporary issue of humantTrafficking on the West Coast.
California is a top destination for human trafficking in the United States, and within California itself, the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles have the highest rates of human trafficking.
Anya17’s Composer Adam Gorb expressed his horror over the US trafficking statistics, and said that “This is very exciting news. I’m thrilled that this work which is dealing with a world-wide problem is now reaching audiences around the globe.”
In addition to those trafficked into the USA from foreign countries every year, an estimated 100,000 children in the States today are victims of sex trafficking within US borders, with another 200,000 at risk. The victims are primarily adolescent girls between the ages of 12 and 16. The average age of entry for children deceived and coerced into the sex trade is a mere 12 years. Approximately 80% of human trafficking victims are women and girls and up to 50% are minors.
Anya17’s Librettist Ben Kaye added “Whilst these statistics are truly appalling, numbers simply cannot convey the victims’ suffering; statistics don’t let us penetrate the thick fog and truly look into their eyes. When their stories are told, we hope that legislators and members of the public alike will be moved to act.”
20 / 2 / 2013
Anya17 Nominated for Prestigious Award
HUMAN TRAFFICKING OPERA ‘ANYA17’ NOMINATED FOR UK’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS CLASSICAL MUSIC AWARD
Hot on the heels of Anya17’s recent ‘Best Stage or Film Production’ Media Award win at The House of Commons presented by the Human Trafficking Foundation , this challenging opera reflecting the terrible reality of Sex Trafficking in the EU has just been nominated for the UK’s most prestigious Classical Music Award.
The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Music Awards are the highest recognition for live classical music-making in the United Kingdom and were set up in 1989 to celebrate the outstanding musical achievements of British and International musicians.
Anya17’s composer Adam Gorb commented “This is an extremely exciting time for Anya17, with performances in both Germany and Romania scheduled for later this year. To have been informed yesterday of this award nomination, particularly an RPS award, is wonderful news and a great honour in itself.”
Librettist Ben Kaye continued “In terms of Classical music in the UK, this is equivalent in scale to an Oscar nomination. The news is a terrific validation of the inspiration, skill, dedication and very hard work put in by everyone involved in Anya17. Whether we stand there on the podium on the day or not, this is a great opportunity to raise awareness of Human Trafficking.”
Director Caroline Clegg added “I am delighted to learn of this prestigious nomination and that through the power of music we can continue to give voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. The Conductor Clark Rundell, the Cast, the Ensemble 10/10 and our fantastic Volunteers should all feel very proud of what they have already achieved, and what we will continue to achieve in shining a bright light on this vile, hidden ‘trade’, which by its very nature can only flourish in the darkness.”
Anya17 was written to raise awareness of the estimated 700,000 women and young girls trafficked into the EU every year. Human Trafficking is a secretive £20,000,000,000 industry which is second only in scope to the Drugs trade. Anya17 is officially supported by eleven national and international NGOs and bodies including The United Nations.
Each RPS Award is decided by an eminent jury from the music profession and the list of winners since 1989 reads as a roll call of the finest living composers and musicians. One of the world’s oldest music societies, the RPS celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.
The Society’s media partners, BBC Radio 3, carry extensive coverage of the Awards including a full length programme which focuses on the winners. The Awards will be presented on May 14th at a dinner at the Dorchester Hotel, London.
Press Contact: Ben Kaye – Tel: 07880 742252 – Email: info@librettist.co.uk – Website: www.anya17.co.uk (includes behind-the-scenes footage). High quality Video, Audio and Stills available upon request.
Anya17 Live Performance Showreel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFzeFMTDB2E
Blog Post Link: http://anya17.co.uk/blog/?p=822
27 / 5 / 2012
Anya17 – Montage from the Manchester Performance
Eight minute ‘Show Reel’ from Anya17 which portrays human trafficking through Opera.
28 / 3 / 2012
Sunday Times Review of Anya17
The Sunday Times reviewed Anya17 following performances in Liverpool and Manchester.
21 / 2 / 2012
Tony Lloyd MP on Anya17
Interview with Tony Lloyd, MP for Central Manchester, talking about Anya17’s goal to raise awareness of sex trafficking.
15 / 2 / 2012
Anya17 World Premiere in Liverpool on 7 March
The world premiere of Anya17 is at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool on 7 March. A second performance takes place on 9 March in Manchester. As Ben Kaye so poignantly states – ‘Let’s make these silent victims’ voices heard.’ Read more in the Anya17 press release.
11 / 2 / 2012
Anya17 Cast Meets Trafficking Victims
The cast of Anya17 recently met trafficking victims. The blog written by Amy Webber who plays Elena reflects their admiration of the survivors’ bravery and their determination that Anya17 is not just an opera, it’s a campaign.
7 / 9 / 2010
Stay Informed
Keep yourself informed on issues relating to human trafficking on the following sites:
Trafficking Survivor Care Standards
Data
Latest anti human trafficking reports.
http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/Anti_Human_Trafficking_Latest_Report
Education
Resource pack for teachers designed to provide a clear, comprehensive set of lessons that will help students explore and understand the issue of human trafficking.
http://www.octf.gov.uk/Publications/Human-Trafficking—Teacher-s-Resource-Pack-(1).aspx
Visual media and radio
http://www.mydangerousloverboy.com/
A film designed to protect children and young people who might be vulnerable to sexual exploitation
http://www.impressions-gallery.com/exhibitions/exhibition.php?id=30
While many films on the subject are often distressing and difficult to watch, this film draws in the audience with its animated fairy tale style and music before hitting home with its serious message
http://www.behind-the-smile.com/video.html
Watch Behind the Smile video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Mj2haletE
Watch Vicktor Malerik’s interview, ‘The Johns’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12202489#story_continues_1#story_continues_1
Barnado’s on the sexual grooming of children in the UK
http://promisespromises.podcastfeed.co.uk/
Radio documentary on Sex Trafficking in Moldova
http://anya17.co.uk/blog/about-anya17/
Modern opera on the plight of sex trafficking victims
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NME1-ZiJPXY
Flash mob in Trafalgar Square organised by Love 146
UK Human Trafficking Centre
http://www.soca.gov.uk/about-soca/about-the-ukhtc
The UK Human Trafficking Centre, run by SOCA (Serious Organised Crime Agency) is a multi-agency responsible for co-ordinating the UK government’s work against trafficking
United Nations
http://www.scribd.com/doc/4356847/Human-Trafficking-An-Overview-United-Nations
United Nations Overview on Human Trafficking
Charities
http://www.thea21campaign.org/
A21, an organisation that works on human trafficking prevention and provides safe housing and a helpline in Greece
http://www.antislavery.org/english/
Organisation promoting the eradication of slavery
http://www.chaste.org.uk/
Churches Alert of Sex Trafficking across Europe
http://www.ecpat.org.uk/
End Child Prostitution and Trafficking
http://www.medaille.co.uk/
The Medaille Trust, working to support victims freed from trafficking
http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/trafficking
The Salvation Army’s anti human trafficking work
http://www.stopthetraffik.org/
Global coalition fighting human trafficking
http://thomasfowellbuxton.org.uk/tfb/
Information on Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, a leading campaigner for the abolition of slavery
http://www.unchosen.org.uk/
Unchosen raises awareness of human trafficking through film, documentaries, interviews and Q&A sessions
http://www.actfayre.co.uk/
A charity that sells products handmade by women and girls who have been rescued from the sex trade. The money that the women generate through making handicrafts is enough for them to make a living and any profits go back to rescue organisations in order to rescue and train up other women.
Campaigns
http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/our-projects/december-10-appeal/hopes-and-dreams-for-everyone
Hopes and Dreams for Everyone, a Soroptimist International initiative supporting young people in Moldova
Powerpoint presentation
http://gast.org.uk/
Guersney Against Sex Trafficking
Reports
Purple Teardrop Ban Sex for Sale Advertising Survey Results
Overseas Issues
Information on Restavek child slavery in Haiti
http://www.restavekfreedom.org
Information on the Deuki system in Nepal
http://www.jandesh.org/projects.html
Information on Juju in Nigeria
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-curse-of-juju-that-drives-sex-slaves-to-europe-2264337.html