Daily Archives: 19 March, 2016

ENO’s new Tristan and Isolde

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World-famous sculptor Anish Kapoor joins director Daniel Kramer and conductor Edward Gardner for a new production of Wagner’s epic Tristan and Isolde

World-famous sculptor Anish Kapoor will design the sets for ENO’s unmissable new production of Tristan and Isolde. Directed by Daniel Kramer and conducted by former ENO Music Director Edward Gardner, Tristan and Isolde is one of the most hotly-anticipated arts events of 2016.

An epic drama told on a grand scale, Tristan and Isolde is one of the most powerful pieces in the repertoire. Described by Richard Wagner as ‘the most audacious and original work of my life’, the opera retells the legend of Tristan and Isolde’s transcendent but ill-fated love.

ENO’s first new production of Tristan and Isolde since 1996 is directed by ‘theatre’s most exciting young director’ (Daily Telegraph) Daniel Kramer. His previous work with ENO and Edward Gardner includes Duke Bluebeard’s Castle (2009) and Punch and Judy at the Young Vic (2008), for which he won the South Bank Show Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera. Kramer was also nominated for the Golden Mask award for Best Director for Duke Bluebeard’s Castle when it was performed at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow.

For this spectacular staging Kramer collaborates with Anish Kapoor, one of the most influential sculptors of his generation. Winner of the Turner Prize in 1991, he was awarded a CBE in 2003 and a Knighthood in 2013 for services to visual arts. He designed the ArcelorMittal Orbit, Britain’s largest piece of public art, which was constructed in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to stand as a permanent legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Kapoor has also designed stage sets that include Idomeneo for Glyndebourne in 2003 and Pelléas et Mélisande for La Monnaie in Brussels in 2008.

This thrilling score is conducted for the first time by former ENO Music Director Edward Gardner. Following his performances of Richard Jones’s Olivier Award-winning, five-star production of The Mastersingers of Nuremberg (2015), The Stage wrote that his ‘immaculate sense of balance and flow denotes a great Wagner conductor’.

The creative team is completed by Costume Designer Christina Cunningham, Lighting Designer Peter Mumford and Video Designer Frieder Weiss.

Tristan and Isolde opens at the London Coliseum on 9 June 2016 for 8 performances – June 9, 15, 22, 29 at 5pm and June 19, 26 & July 2, 9 at 3pm

Pre-performance talk: 19 June, 1.15-2pm, £5/£2.50 concs

ENO reaches a settlement with Equity

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English National Opera can confirm that a deal to change ENO chorus contracts has been reached with Equity.

The settlement will see the ENO Chorus move to a nine-month contract to reflect the length of future seasons at the London Coliseum. These contracts will run from August – April (inclusive). During the months of May – July, when the company performs outside of its home venue, ENO Chorus members will be offered work on a first refusal basis. The Chorus will reduce in number for 44 members to 40 from August 2016. The new chorus pay package will come into effect from 1 August 2017.

Cressida Pollock, Chief Executive of ENO, said, “I am delighted that we have been able to reach a deal with Equity. We recognise the fundamental importance of the ENO Chorus in delivering world-class opera. We listened to the concerns of the Chorus and have reached a fair compromise that preserves the permanent ensemble, focussing on our London Coliseum season, whilst ensuring that we have the building blocks in place to increase our outside work. This settlement will contribute to the wider changes in our business model, to ensure that ENO becomes a more financially resilient organisation, able to move forward on a reduced public subsidy.”

Harry Brunjes, Chairman of ENO, commented, “On behalf of the ENO Board I would like to thank Cressida and the ENO Chorus for their hard work in reaching this compromise. We are now looking forward to the future, and to working together to ensure that our great organisation thrives for decades to come.”

CDs/DVDs March 2016

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J S BACH – THE ORGELBUCHLEIN
JAMES LANCELOT, organ of Durham Cathedral
PRIORY PRCD1139

This is a very welcome release. A stand-alone no-frills rendition of the complete organ music from the book presented in order from Advent to Pentecost and concluding with the non-seasonal items.
This is a useful reference work but also a very enjoyable listening experience with James Lancelot in fine form at the Durham organ.

THE COMPLETE ORGAN SONATAS OF AUGUST RITTER (1811-1885)
MICHAEL HARRIS, Ladegast organ, Kirche Altleisnig, Polditz, Germany
PRIORY PRCD1162

The four organ sonatas presented here are of great interest, partly because of the early date of their writing and also because they are mostly unfamiliar to us now. Michael Harris gives fine performances on an organ that is itself an interesting survivor, built in 1868 and now restored, after it was very nearly removed in the 1980s.

ORGAN SPECTACULAR!
ASHLEY GROTE, organ of Norwich Cathedral
PRIORY PRCD1153

I have to confess that I groaned when I saw the contents of this disc, being mostly very well-known items in the organ repertoire. However, I must say, though, that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole CD and was reminded of just how enjoyable many of these pieces are. This CD would make an excellent introduction to the organ but will also be enjoyed by many “old hands” if they are prepared to put prejudice aside and give it a spin! The programme begins with Bach’s Toccata & Fugue in D minor & closes with Widor’s Toccata. The complete Gothique Suite by Boellmann is included. As well as Lefebure-Wely’s Sortie in E flat there is his lesser-known Andante: Choeur des voix humaines. A welcome new piece is the organist’s own Prelude on Cross of Jesus.

GREAT EUROPEAN ORGANS No 98
ANTHONY HAMMOND, organ of L’Eglise St-Vincent, Roquevaire, France
PRIORY PRCD1156

Sadly this long running series is nearing it’s end. In the meantime we have another release which combines expert playing on a lesser-known organ with interesting modern repertoire. Largely focussing on the art of improvisation this CD has compositions by Naji Hakim and Pierre Cochereau, together with works dedicated to him by Jean Bouvard & Daniel Roth. There is also the organist’s own Improvisation:Triptyque and Marius Monnikendam’s Toccate Concertante. Excellent!

THE COMPLETE PSALMS OF DAVID SERIES 2, Vol 9
Choir of SALISBURY CATHEDRAL,  directed by David Halls with John Challenger, organ
PRIORY PRCD 1150

Moving to the choral repertoire we have another series nearing its end. Whilst not having quite the impact on me that the original series did I have been enjoying these releases as they bring further renditions of this staple of the cathedral repertoire, often with unfamiliar chants. Here the Salisbury choir demonstrates its familiarity with this genre in what is a well executed set.

GREGORIAN CHANT – MUSIC OF PARADISE
Choir of BUCKFAST ABBEY, directed by Philip Arkwright
PRIORY PRCD1151

There is little than I can say to add to descriptions of the beauty of Gregorian chant. Its simplicity and longevity both help to transport the singer and the listener beyond themselves. I really enjoyed this sequence of chant from the mixed voices here give a glimpse of the musical traditions still in place at the abbey. Sublime.

MESSIAEN – L’ASCENSION
TOM WINPENNY, Rieger organ of St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh
NAXOS 8.573471  (66’33)

Tom Winpenny gives an inspiring all-Messiaen recital here. Alongside the title work we also have Diptyque, Offrande au Saint-Sacrament, Prelude, Le Banquet Celeste and Apparition de l’Eglise eternelle. There is a good rapport between organist and organ and understanding and sensitivity of this music.