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Category Archives: News
An Evening In With…Concert given by Michelle Candotti
This week we are joined by the 2013 Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition prizewinner Michelle Candotti.
Friday 8th May 7pm GMT+1
Programme:
F.Liszt – Paraphrase on Ernani
J.S.Bach – Prelude and Fugue no.16 Vol II
F.Chopin – Etude Op10 no.8
Available to watch on our Facebook page bit.ly/
or on our website https://www.
MUSIC FOR THE EYES – Garsington Opera on line
Garsington Opera is delighted to announce the launch of Music for the Eyes – a weekly online documentary featuring music from Garsington Opera and images from the National Gallery of London. It will be premiered at 6pm every Wednesday in May on Garsington Opera’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. The first 30 minute episode appears this Wednesday 6 May.
Each week a panel of experts led by Johnny Langridge and Imogen Tedbury will take an
operatic theme and explore its context within visual art, literature and more.
The first episode is centred around Le nozze di Figaro and features director John Cox,
conductor Douglas Boyd (Garsington Opera’s Artistic Director) and Caroline McCaffrey-
Howarth (18th Century Curator at V&A).
Future guests will be announced weekly.
‘A gentle walk through the arts in their broadest sense, focusing each week on an
operatic theme and taking time with leading experts to look at its context within
visual art, literature and more.
A collaboration between Garsington Opera and Dr Imogen Tedbury (Curatorial
Fellow, National Gallery of London), we aim to draw unexpected and playful
connections between arts, taking a wider view of particular historic moments
through culture.
By looking at opera and art side by side we can discover unexpected points of
connection that can bring solace through reflection in our current situation.’
Johnny Langridge, Director of Communications, Garsington Opera
An Evening In With . . . Sylvia Jiang
This Friday 24 April 2020 An Evening In With…continues with the 2019 Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition Prizewinner Sylvia Jiang.
Programme for this week:
Haydn – Fantasia in C major
Liszt – Petrarch Sonnet 104
Prokofiev – Toccata, Op.11
Liszt – Petrarch Sonnet 104
Prokofiev – Toccata, Op.11
Join NYO in Beethoven
Grab an instrument and play along with thousands of musicians across the UK in a heartfelt performance of Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ dedicated to those who need it the most.
While the concert halls and schools are closed, the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain’s musicians are still on a mission, ready to share music and inspire others through performance, and making every effort to continue to be an uplifting musical community at this time.
Although NYO cannot meet physically as an orchestra, they are inviting every musician in the UK to pick up their instruments and share a massed performance of Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’, as a gesture of community and solidarity, dedicated to the people in society who might be in need of a musical-pick-me-up: our hospital staff, key workers, supermarket workers, friends and family in isolation, and vulnerable members of society.
At 5pm on 17th April, NYO’s 164 musicians will throw open their windows, get out on their doorstep, and share their own 40 second performance of the well-known piece. In the days before, they will all be meeting on a ‘digital residency’, where they will spend time playing together in small groups, creating multi-track videos, perfecting their practice techniques, and connecting with each other musically, as well as creating resources and guidance for everyone joining in with the Ode to Joy-a-thon at home.
NYO want as many musicians as possible to join in, and have published the music for those who play at all levels, coming up with ways for everyone to perform, whatever their instrument.
Sheet music can be downloaded at this link: https://www.nyo.org.uk/ode-to-
They will be sharing the performances as widely as possible on their channels, and encourage those involved to capture their performance on video or photo and share using the hashtag #NYOdetoJoy, including who they’re dedicating the performance to.
BBC Proms Statement
Like all cultural organisations, we at the BBC Proms are currently dealing with unprecedented challenges and uncertainty. We are still hoping that the Proms will be part of the summer this year, although that will involve adapting and changing the festival we originally planned. We are working hard to find the best way to deliver Sir Henry Wood’s mission to make the best classical music available to the widest possible audience.
Due to the current situation we are delaying the announcement of our season, the publication of the Official Proms Guide and tickets won’t be going on sale on 16 May as had been planned. We are closely following developing news and guidance from the government and public health authorities, and will update everyone with our plans for the 125th-anniversary season of the Proms by the end of May. Our number one priority will always be the safety of everyone involved with, and attending the Proms.
All of us at the BBC Proms stand with music lovers everywhere and cultural friends and artists around the world affected by COVID-19.
Jess Gillam Virtual Scratch Orchestra debuts live on 17 April
Today Classic BRIT award-winning saxophonist Jess Gillam launches the Jess Gillam Virtual Scratch Orchestra. She is inviting musicians of any standard to come together and play music virtually with her, giving the first performance online on Friday 17 April.
Jess Gillam said: ‘For me, music is all about people! People uniting, people sharing and people listening. At a very difficult time, when it is not currently possible to be physically together to share and make music, hopefully this is a way in which we can create something together from afar. ‘Where Are We Now?’ is one of my favourite songs by David Bowie. It’s hauntingly beautiful and seems very appropriate as we all reflect on the world and what is happening around us. This is the first song he released after a long period of silence in 2013.’
The Jess Gillam Virtual Scratch Orchestra will come together for the first time to perform David Bowie’s Where Are We Now? from Gillam’s debut album RISE (Decca Classics) which shot to No.1 in the Official UK Classical Chart in April 2019. Taking part is easy:
Take a look at the parts available and download the music from her website. The instruments are not prescriptive, find a part that works for you and participate
Video yourself playing your part either playing along to the click track or the released version. Submissions can be recorded on a smartphone or video recorder but please use headphones so only you can be heard
Send the video to info@jessgillamsax.co.uk with a line saying ‘I give Universal Music Group permission to use this video.’ The deadline is Friday 10 April at 6pm
Sign up to the mailing list to make sure you see the final results
Gillam will then perform the piece live with the combined pre-recorded videos on Friday 17 April at 6pm on her Instagram (@jessgillamsax).
Parts available to download:
Violin 1 & 2
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Oboe 1 & 2
Horn in F 1, 2, 3 & 4
Harp
Piano
Celeste/keyboard
Timpani
Parts & click track available here
Released version of Where We Are Now:
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Music
RDMR are now looking after Jess Gillam’s personal PR, for all interview requests, images and further information please contact:
Rebecca Driver Media Relations
Tel: 07425 151 458
Email: ruth@rdmr.co.uk
Web: www.rdmr.co.uk
English National Opera stages new production of Dvorák’s best-loved opera Rusalka
Rusalka
Antonín Dvorák (1813-1901)
Libretto by Jaroslav Kvapil after Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué
Conductor, Antony Hermus
Director, Tatjana Gürbaca
Opens Saturday 28 March at the London Coliseum (7 performances)
Acclaimed German director Tatjana Gürbaca and designer Klaus Grünberg make their English National Opera (ENO) debuts with ENO’s first new Rusalka in two decades, with Corinne Winters in the title role and David Butt Philip as the Prince.
Dvo?ák’s Rusalka (1901) is a tragic modern-day fairy tale; water nymph Rusalka falls in love with a young prince who visits her lake. Desperate for the opportunity to win his love, she trades her place in her water-world for life in the mortal realm but at a terrible price. Following rejection from the Prince, she is unable to return to her former life and the tale ends in tragedy. Touching upon themes of existentialism and alienation between the two worlds, Rusalka is a powerful exploration of a woman who grows beyond her world to seek happiness and find her place, learning the true meaning of love, understanding and forgiveness.
German opera director Tatjana Gürbaca directs this new production, making her UK and house debut. Named Director of the Year by Germany’s magazine Opernwelt in 2013, Tatjana’s career highlights include Parsifal (Vlaamse Opera, 2018), Die Ring Trilogie (Theater an der Wien, 2017), Alcina (Theater an der Wien, 2018), Jephtha (Opera Halle, 2018) and, most recently, Don Giovanni (Theater Bremen, 2019-2020). Tatjana comments: ‘Rusalka is one of the most beautiful heart-breaking love-stories and an existentialist drama: love is a dangerous power that alienates her from all orders and tears a hole into the face of social convention. Traveling between two worlds with an overwhelming desire, Rusalka discovers her inner truth and conquers death. Dvo?ák’s magnificent opera intoxicates with its vibrant Romanticism.’
Rusalka’s librettist Jaroslav Kvapil drew from many sources, including Slavic myth and Northern European folk-tales that inspired Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué’s Undine (1811) and Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid (1837). Rusalka was Dvo?ák’s ninth opera and is considered his most successful, displaying the composer’s exceptional gift for melody and orchestration, featuring the beautiful aria ‘Song to the Moon’
Making his ENO debut is Dutch conductor Antony Hermus who joins us from Opera North having just conducted The Marriage of Figaro, his first piece of work since joining as Opera North’s Principal Guest Conductor. Antony is also Principal Guest Conductor of the North Netherlands Orchestra and Artistic Advisor of the National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands.
American soprano Corinne Winters makes her role debut as Rusalka, returning to the London Coliseum after her European debut as ‘the best ENO Violetta in decades’ (The Sunday Times) in La traviata in 2013. Corinne, who originally graduated from the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, has performed across Europe, Australia and America since her debut and has been acclaimed by the New York Times as ‘an outstanding actress, as well as a singer of extraordinary grace and finesse’.
One of the most outstanding British tenors of his generation, David Butt Philip makes his role debut as the Prince following his Olivier-Award-nominated performance in last season’s War Requiem. David made his ENO debut as Rodolfo in La bohème (2014) where he unleashed ‘a warm, easy-sounding tenor voice with plenty of heft and ping at the top’ (Guardian).
Olivier Award-nominated Irish mezzo-soprano, Patricia Bardon returns to the role of Ježibaba having performed the role earlier in the season for Glyndebourne, where her ‘dark mezzo impressed’ (Opera), as well as recently for Berliner Philharmoniker and Opéra National du Rhin. She will also continue in the role for Theatres de la Ville de Luxembourg and finally Garsington Opera later this year.
We are delighted to welcome soprano Claire Rutter back to the London Coliseum as the Foreign Princess. Claire returns following huge success in her previous roles in ENO’s Tosca (2011) and Lucrezia Borgia (2011) – ‘To catch a terrific, scalp-tingling Tosca, look no further than Claire Rutter at the Coliseum. Glorious of voice and subtle of acting, she’s worth the price of the ticket alone’ (Metro).
Returning to the London Coliseum for his first role since La bohème (2018), David Soar brings his ‘sonorous bass’ (Independent) to the role of the Water Spirit.
Six ENO Harewood Artists complete the cast, continuing our commitment to training the talent of the operatic future through the ENO Harewood programme.
Mezzo-soprano Katie Coventry is the Kitchen Boy, following her recent performance in ENO’s new production of The Mask of Orpheus (2019). Baritone Alex Otterburn is the Huntsman, who returns to the London Coliseum following his ‘razor-edged Moralès’ (the Guardian) in Carmen.
The three Wood Nymphs are sung by Soprano Nadine Benjamin, mezzo-soprano Idunnu Münch and mezzo-soprano Katie Stevenson. All three return from recent ENO performances, Nadine following her ‘exquisite’ (the Stage) performance in Luisa Miller (2020), Katie having sung Kate Pinkerton in Madam Butterfly (2020) while Idunnu returns following her ENO debut in Orpheus in the Underworld (2019).
Completing the cast is tenor John Findon as the Gamekeeper following his recent performance as Remendado in ENO’s Carmen (2020).
Set and lighting design is by Klaus Grünberg, winner of the Design Award at the International Opera Awards 2017, assisted by Associate Set Designer Anne Kuhn. Costume design is by Barbara Drosihn and translation is by Rodney Blumer.
Rusalka opens on Saturday 28 March 19:00 at the London Coliseum for 7 performances: 28 March & 1, 3, 6, 8, 15 April at 19.00. 11 April at 18.00.
Tickets start from £10 (plus booking fee)*
NICOLAS CHURCH PEVEVENSEY – UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2020
28 March 2020 – 4.00pm Composers of Pevensey
Local Historian Robert Slater will talk on Percy Grainger, Cyril Scott & Roger Quilter
They were amongst foremost composers of their day
Talks will be interspersed with interludes of their songs by
Susannah Appleyard (accompanied by Richard Eldridge) – Susannah has a wealth of recital and operatic experience
£10.00
19 April – 3.00pm with tea ‘Soprano Lets her hair Down’
An afternoon of Music and Laughter with Sharon Lewis
International soprano & cabaret singer
£10.00
25 April – 6.00p Vivace
a small mixed choir focusing on raising funds for charity
providing an eclectic mix of music from Bach to Swingle
£10.00
30 May – 7.00pm Polyphony Vocal Ensemble
Polyphony combines a number of parts each forming an individual
Melody and harmonizing with each other
£10.00
14 June – 3.00pm Colours of the Organ
A recital by Victor Potter – Organist and Director of Music-
St. Nicolas Church Pevensey
Retiring collection in aid of St.Nicolas Church and the organ
6 June – 7.30pm Southern Revival New Orleans Jazz Band
Comprising some musicians from the Pasadena Hot Five
They will play a selection of Jazz from the 1930’s and raise the roof!
£15.00
28/31- August – 10 – 5.00 daily Flower Festival
This year’s theme – Climate Change
All proceeds towards maintenance of St. Nicolas and St. Wilfrid’s churches
4 October – 4.00pm Musical Magpies
Three local, outstanding vocalists with programme of oratorio and opera ensembles
Solo, duet and trios – including Purcell, Bach, Handel Monteverdi
£7.50
6 December – 4.00pm
Sussex Song Makers
An all female choir pf 12 singers – solos & duets with poetry reflecting the music
Previous performances include London Choral Festival, Brighton Fringe &
Bexhill Festival of Music
£7.50
Four hands, one piano. Discover the double act who ‘declassify’ classical music.
The internationally acclaimed pianists and supreme showmen, Worbey & Farrell have entertained all over the globe and achieved millions of hits on YouTube with their sparky comedy and sensational piano-playing. Now they return to Brighton Dome this March as part of Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Sunday afternoon concert series, bringing their own unique style to the world’s greatest music.
“We like to think of the piano as a symphony orchestra” said Steven Worbey. “We like to utilise the piano to its full potential.”
Having performed everywhere from the Royal Opera House to the maiden voyage of Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 to ITV’s This Morning, their work is diverse, ranging from a two-month sell-out run in Vienna of the Canadian smash-hit play, Two Pianos Four Hands, to performing in shows with the late Mickey Rooney in the USA. In 2018 they made their debut with the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra playing Malcolm Arnold’s Piano Concerto and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals.
Each of the pieces performed in this concert is a unique arrangement which can take months to finesse. Their version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, described by Worbey as “very rhapsodic!”, took a year to orchestrate. With Prokofiev’s classic Peter & the Wolf, the audience are told to expect a very different ending. “It’s Peter & the Wolf with a difference” says Kevin Farrell. “It’s normally set in Russia; ours is set in Doncaster.”
Expect a show for all the family, as Worbey & Farrell give the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra the weekend off and take centre stage on their single piano stool. The programme includes their own version of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Addinsell’s iconic Warsaw Concerto, Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf, the theme from Ladies in Lavender and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
You’ve probably never seen a piano played like this before, so be prepared to be moved, excited and amazed with the sheer ingenuity and style of these masters of musical mayhem.
Tickets £14.50-£42.50 (50% student/under 18’s discount) from Brighton Dome Ticket Office, (01273) 709709, www.brightondome.org
Discounted parking (just £6 between 1 & 6pm) available at NCP Church Street car park.