Who we are

Caroline Coetzee, Artistic Director and Librettist

Caroline Coetzee illuminates the life of astronomer Annie Walker with eloquence, deft and beautifully-created characterisations, and a compelling story about the fates of all too many women in science
Kendra Preston Leonard, librettist, writer, playwright

Caroline is a writer and opera director who has worked in South Africa, Germany and the UK. For the past 15 years, she has been Artistic Director of Cambridge Youth Opera, a charity which provides free, open access opera activities to children and young people, through schools and after school activities.

Hidden Star is Caroline’s fifth complete opera libretto. Her previous work has been successfully performed in England and Scotland.

The project is a new departure for Caroline, combining her experience in writing with her passion for opera creation, and education.

Rania Chrysostomou

On Being Vocal is a genuine tour de force of imagination from composer Rania Chrysostomou… a half hour full of switchback changes and genuine surprise and delight.
Roger Hughill, composer

Rania Chrysostomou is a British Cypriot composer whose work explores the intersection of music with other artistic disciplines. A storyteller through music, Rania weaves deeply personal themes of womanhood into every composition. Described as a “mesmerizing collage of emotions,” Rania’s music is both eloquent and intricate — crafted with a natural mastery akin to a spider’s web, delicate yet powerful.”

In September 2023, her one-woman micro-opera On Being Vocal premiered at the Tête à Tête Opera Festival.

Rania’s music has been performed internationally, in Denmark, London, Cyprus and the United States.

Our partners and supporters

We are working closely with Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge. The project would not be possible without the support and expertise of Mark Hurn, IoA Librarian, Matt Bothwell, Cambridge Public Astronomer, and Stephanie Buttigieg, co-chair of the Women’s Group at the IoA.

Science historian Roger Hutchins has played an invaluable role in unearthing previously unknown details of Annie’s life.

Caroline and Rania are also supported by the Royal Opera and Ballet’s Engender mentoring programme and network.

The Tête à Tête festival of contemporary opera are providing significant in kind support to enable a work in progress performance on 05 October.

The project is the first work by Listen! a new collective of women whose mission is to create, produce and perform new musical works that connect people to the stories and places that shape our lives. We aim to foster and share a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of ideas, narratives and histories and that shape communities and bringing these to life in innovative and accessible ways in music.