Earth & Sky

XR Stories is working with Opera North to develop Earth & Sky, a GPS-triggered sound walk around the site of Penistone Country Park in Haworth, West Yorkshire, commissioned by Bradford 2025.

In collaboration with the University of York’s Audio Lab, XR Stories is providing technical support to develop an accessible version of the sound trail so that those who are unable to walk the hilly route can fully access the immersive experience.  

The Earth & Sky soundwalk features three new compositions from contemporary composers Caterina Barbieri, Nyokabi Kariũki and Gwen Siôn.

It also features natural-world sound art from Sarah Kierle, new poetry from Nabeelah Hafeez, and the Orchestra of Opera North playing classical pieces by Bradford-born 19th century composer, Frederik Delius.

To experience the sound-walk in-situ, audiences will download a bespoke app developed by ECHOES.XYZ, and begin their journey from the Brontë Parsonage Museum, up the hill to the moorland above, as a dynamic sonic-world evolves in their headphones with every step they take.

The sound pieces will interact with the stark landscape where Brontë novels such as Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are set, bringing new depths of experience for visitors to the famous site.

Part of Bradford 2025’s Wild Uplands programme, Earth & Sky will be available to experience in-situ and at home from May 2025.

Categories: Arts, Heritage, Technology