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MUSO is an experimental new show presented by improvising opera troupe, Impropera and the Grant Museum of Zoology, UCL Culture, which invites audiences into museums and galleries after dark for an experience like no other. During the show visitors go on a journey through a collection and are invited to seek out hidden artefacts, share their responses, hear from an expert and watch as a completely improvised musical show is created on the spot based on their ideas.
MUSO is the first of its kind of performance; an explosive collaboration between opera, academia, art and science that places the audience at the heart of the show.
What audiences say:
"What a lovely light-hearted way to experience something extra about the exhibits"
"Nice to have audience participation and an opportunity to interact with the collections"
"My discovery was sung about so made the experience extra special, loved being part of the show"
MUSO Singing Museums to Life Tour
Starting at the British Museum, MUSO embarked on a tour of London museums over 2018. Over the exciting tour the MUSO company explored collections of fine art, zoology, anthropology, musical instruments, history of science and archaeology. The MUSO company collaborated with evolutionary biologists, astrophysicists, anthropologists and philosophers from UCL and Curators from the British Museum, Science Museum, Wallace Collection and UCL Museums and with the help of audiences from all across London will bring museums and their collections to life through song.
The MUSO: Singing Museums to Life company
The MUSO: Singing Museums to Life company in the Grant Museum of Zoology
Audience members during Muso exploring the Grant Museum of Zoology in the dark with torches.
Dr. Chiara Ambrosio sharing her research on works from the UCL Art Museum
The MUSO: Singing Museums to Life company in the Grant Museum of Zoology
The MUSO: Singing Museums to Life company at the British Museum
MUSO:Singing Museums to Life performing in the Great Court at the British Museum
MUSO: Singing Museums to Life company performing in the Mathematics Gallery at the Science Museum
MUSO to date
MUSO started life as a research and development project in the Grant Museum of Zoology and as part of the project also hosted the Theatrically Re-imagining Collections conference supported by Arts Council England. The conference brought over 130 practitioners together to discuss ideas and practice around collaborations between performance companies and museums. A diverse range of museums and heritage organisations such as the V+A, British Museum National Trust and Historic Royal Palaces. 18 performance companies such as Sherman Cymru, Frantic Assembly, Trinity Laban and the Nottingham Playhouse were also in attendance along with representatives from Wellcome.
MUSO in the press
Museum ID Magazine: Singing Museums to Life: Improvised Opera, Audiences and Collections
Miro Magazine: Muso by Impropera – Singing Hidden Treasures to Life
MUSO reviews
Five stars from Spy in the Stall
Five stars from London Theatre
Four stars from the Review Hub
The people behind MUSO
Artistic Director, Impropera
Lecturer in History and Philosophy of Science, Department of Science and Technology Studies
Learning and Access Officer, Grant Museum of Zoology
The MUSO: Singing Museums to Life 2018 tour is generously supported by the UCL Grand Challenges, a cross-disciplinary research-related initiatives at UCL, London’s Global University, intended to benefit the world.
