Climate Opera Haus: The Golden Fountain

Conway Hall presents the UK premiere of The Golden Fountain – a new Climate Opera by composer and pianist Stefania Passamonte, inspired by Arabian mythology, desert folklore, and the enduring relationship between knowledge, water, and the natural world.

The Golden Fountain tells the story of Abdul, a young boy from Al Khobar whose love of books sets him apart from those around him. While others expect him to become a leader through tradition, Abdul is called instead by a mysterious Talking Bird to embark on a mythical journey across the desert in search of the legendary Golden Fountain, a sacred spring said to bring prosperity to the land.

Blending Arabian folklore with contemporary environmental themes, the opera unfolds through desert landscapes, oasis gardens, libraries, and mythical realms where birds, trees, and spirits become guardians of ecological memory. What begins as a timeless adventure becomes a poetic meditation on water scarcity, education, cultural heritage, and humanity’s shared responsibility toward the Earth.

The production combines classical opera with Arabic musical colours, choral writing, immersive sound design and visual projection, creating a dreamlike atmosphere where myth and climate science meet. Through richly symbolic characters and evocative imagery, The Golden Fountain invites audiences to imagine a future in which knowledge flows like water and stewardship becomes the greatest source of prosperity.

The Golden Fountain continues Climate Opera Haus‘ exploration of planetary ecosystems, following the world premiere of Soria Moria earlier this year. Together, the two works form a diptych exploring two extremes of our changing planet—ice and desert—and the possibility of restoring balance through imagination, education, and hope.

* * * Performed in English with Arabic influences and subtitles.

PROGRAMME: 7.30pm: Introduction with the creators 8pm: Opera 9pm: Explore the visual design and set

CREATIVE TEAM: Stefania Passamonte • Composer, Librettist & Director Sutu • Visual VFX & Set Design Genevieve Leveille • Executive Producer, Climate Opera Haus