Al-Haytham's Light
​an Opera for Soprano, Baritone, Chamber Ensemble with participatory songs for schools

An opera written with English Touring Opera for schools, exploring the life of Ibn al-Haytham, one of the most important scientists ever to live. In six short scenes, the piece looks into the great scientific discoveries of the Islamic Golden Age, discovering the beauty and mystery of light; what it is, how it refracts and reflects, and ultimately how we see. ​Two singers and three instrumentalists create a sound-world of beauty, mystery and excitement. Designed to be performed in schools, several songs are included for participation by children (aged 7-11).

Listen to various arias and songs from the opera here:

Water flowing - 1:04
My name is Ibn Al-Haytham (with children's choir) - 2:40
We used to think the Earth was flat - 1:48
Help me build (with children's choir) - 1:42
Never alone - 3:15
What do we know about light (with children's choir) - 1:45
Light, my light - 2:42
My name is Ibn Al-Haytham (with children's choir) - 1:40

Watch Scene 1 here:

​Duration: 35 minutes

Created, performed and recorded by:

Neil Balfour - Ibn al-Haytham
Ellie Edmonds- Woman
Amy Green - Saxophone
Jonny Raper - Percussion
Iain Farrington - Piano, composer

Bradley Travis - Writer-Director
Sunny Moon-Little - Designer
Matthew Ferguson - Cinematographer
Jan Capinski - Audio Engineer
Adam Mottley - Lighting Designer
Kinga Czynciel - 1st Assistant Director