Friendly advice ….

La Clemenza di Tito

Wiener Staatsoper May 2012

Elina Garanča in the role of Sesto and Juliane Banse as Vitellia

Photocredit:Wiener Staatsoper/Michael Poehn

Here is advice from our correspondent in the Netherlands who has recently been on a fine opera spree, which she calls “Mezzo indulgent”,  to see, amongst other goodies, the above mentioned production. White Shirt lovers, opera lovers and Garanča fans ( not necessarily in that order ) should take a look at the Wiener Staatsoper web site to hear and see a little of what they may be missing.

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Photocredit:Wiener Staatsoper/Michael Poehn

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Fabulous photo gallery

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Guess what …..

I’m a Coote convert!

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Alice Coote sings “Scherza Infida” from Handel’s Ariodante. Wigmore Hall May 29 2012

Images of British birds

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I tuned in to the live broadcast from the Wigmore Hall last night and boy I’m so glad I did. The whole programme sparkled with sheer quality and the audience went wild.

“In Scherza Infida, Coote was heart-stopping in her suicidal outpouring of grief”

- Barry Millington of the Evening Standard.

Review

 I won’t go into detail here. Listen to her stunning version of Scherza Infida then get yourself over to BBC iPlayer and catch this concert before it’s too late.  If you are not already a fan then maybe you will be a convert too!

edit: and it is too late, you missed it!

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Britten’s War Requiem from Coventry Cathedral

NOW watch on video

War Requiem – Benjamin Britten

50th anniversary performance live from Coventry Cathedral

Wednesday 30 May 2012 at 19.30 on BBC radio 3

Article and comment – npr music

Review from Seen and Heard International

St Michael’s victory over Satan  - Jacob Epsein

BBC iPlayer time now expired

 The story of Coventry Cathedral’s phoenix-like rise from Coventry’s post war ashes is a wonderful tale of hope, passion and hard work. Whilst Sir Basil Spence inspired the world with his architectural vision, Sutherland laboured on his remarkable tapestry and Epstein forged St Michael’s victory over Satan, Benjamin Britten was commissioned to create a choral opus to be performed at the Consecration. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Andris Nelsons give an anniversary performance of Britten’s War Requiem in Coventry Cathedral 50 years after they gave the historic premiere there with the composer.

The piece requires two orchestras, large choir and soloists and combines a setting of the liturgical Requiem Mass with settings of poems by the First World War poet Wilfred Owen. Britten composed it for the opening of the new Coventry Cathedral in 1962, which had been built to replace the one destroyed during the devastating blitz on the city in 1940. Britten’s profound and moving work became an instant international success. As with the first performance, the fiftieth anniversary performance features a line up of soloists from different European countries.

This performance is broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and simultaneously across European television.

Erin Wall (soprano) replacing Kristine Opolais who is indisposed
Mark Padmore (tenor)
Hanno Müller-Brachmann (baritone)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus
Andris Nelsons (conductor)

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Coventry Cathedral wiki information

Benjamin Britten wiki information

War Requiem wiki information

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Alice Coote from the Wigmore Hall

Do not miss this concert – Alice Coote in stunning form!

Review – London Evening Standard

Review from music OMH

My reaction

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Alice Coote sings Handel and Purcell

Live from the Wigmore Hall, London

Tuesday May 29 2012 at 19.30 on BBC radio 3

photo from unknown source

Live from London’s Wigmore Hall, presented by Catherine Bott.

 BBC iPlayer time has expired

In the words of the BBC:

Harry Bicket and the English Concert perform a programme that surveys early 18th-century London’s operatic taste. The suites from Purcell’s tragicomic semi-opera Dioclesian and his more widely know masque The Fairy Queen sit alongside selections from two of Handel’s most jealousy infused operas – Ariodante and Hercules. English mezzo-soprano Alice Coote joins the English Concert with whom she has a long association.

Purcell: Suite from Dioclesian
Handel: Hercules (extracts)

20.10 Music Interval

Purcell: Suite from the Fairy Queen
Handel: Ariodante (extracts)

Alice Coote (mezzo-soprano)
The English Concert
Harry Bicket (conductor)

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White Shirt Weekend …… signing off

 I Capuleti e i Montecchi

Bayerische Staatsoper May 2012

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screengrabs from Bayerische Staatsoper video

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Travel or Travail?

Yesterday, Thursday 24th May at 17.15 UK time I officially crowned myself Queen of Fools.

screenshot from live streaming of Bayerische Staatsoper production of I Capuleti e i Montecchi

Have you ever spent a long time working towards something whilst knowing that it probably wouldn’t happen anyway? Yesterday I decided to run away. This was prompted by the exciting realisation that there were still tickets available for the Bayerische Staatsoper production of I Capuleti e i Montecchi which I desperately wanted to see.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

1. Look on line for tickets – yes. Only €264 !! but several available. Yippee!
2. Look endlessly online for ways of getting to Munich from where I live. Various ways possible. Train all the way/Train and ‘plane all + bus or taxi. All hugely expensive. It’s only money!
3. Wrestle with conscience about spending a ridiculous amount of money.
4. Work out the timing and logistics. It really is possible – dare I?
5. Pace around the garden a lot.
6. Come to the sad and weary conclusion that responsibilities come before reckless acts of self-indulgence.
7. Hate myself for having thought of this stupid plan in the first place.
8. Regret wasting the best part of a whole day on useless and pathetic daydreaming.
9. Crown myself Queen of Fools.
10. Have a cup of Earl Grey and a Garibaldi, still feeling absolutely stupid.

Ah well.

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The Marriage of Figaro from ROH on BBC radio

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro on BBC radio 3

Recorded earlier this year at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

Saturday  26 May 2012 at 18:00 UK time on BBC radio 3

world time converter in the side bar  – >

Anna Bonitatibus as Cherubino. photocredit Bill Cooper 

Le Nozze di Figaro, K.492

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91)
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte (1749-1838)

Ildebrando D’Arcangelo stars as Figaro, Lucas Meachem as Count Almaviva and Aleksandra Kurzak as Susanna in Mozart’s great comic opera. Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera.

When Count Almaviva takes an over-eager interest in his cunning manservant’s wife-to-be, he sets off an elaborate train of events and finds himself thwarted many times. But after a day of madness and a night of confusion, everything ends more or less happily.

Figaro…..Ildebrando D’ Arcangelo (Bass)
Susanna…..Aleksandra Kurzak (Soprano)
Bartolo…..Carlo Lepore (Bass)
Marcellina…..Ann Murray (Mezzo-Soprano)
Cherubino…..Anna Bonitatibus (Mezzo-Soprano)
Count Almaviva…..Lucas Meachem (Baritone)
Basilio…..Bonaventura Bottone (Tenor)
Antonio…..Jeremy White (Bass)
Don Curzio…..Harry Nicoll (Tenor)
Barbarina…..Susana Gaspar (Soprano)
Countess Almaviva…..Kate Royal (Soprano)
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, conductor Antonio Pappano

Gallery of fabulous photos from Bill Cooper

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Review from Intermezzo

Review from Opera Today

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Synopsis

Free scores

Libretto

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Lullaby – 竹田の子守唄

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I have always loved lullabies and the universal nature of the soothing, rocking, caressing words and music. I believe that making this music is inherent in all of us even if it the cooing nonsense that we utter to our own and others’ babies.

Those of you who are blessed to be mothers and those who, like myself, treasured that role for a brief spell, cherish your time with your little one and enjoy this lullaby from Japan.

Garanča in La Clemenza di Tito ( from Vienna ) on radio + photos!

Many fans of Elina Garanča turn up at this blog looking for information.

I found what I could after the birth of her child and posted here the schedule available for future.

But fans should not miss THIS a fabulous gallery of production photographs by Michael Pohn featuring scenes from the current Jürgen Flimm production of Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito”

The images are on the web site of kurier.at – click on an image to open gallery.

This is just one example

photocredit: Michael Pohn

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A recording of La Clemenza di Tito is available to listen on demand on Latvian Radio 3

Click here and scroll down to click on 20.00

There is quite a long introduction in Latvian but the whole opera follows.

Many thanks to our correspondent in the Netherlands for this information.

Isn’t it lovely when music-lovers work together to share?

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Some reviews can be read here

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If you are in Vienna on Sunday 27 May 2012 why not watch La Clemenza di Tito FREE on the big screen

Herbert-von-Karajan Square right next to the opera building along the Ringstrasse

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Judith Weir’s “Miss Fortune” on BBC radio

Judith Weir’s new opera Miss Fortune

Recorded at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden earlier this year

Saturday 19 May 2012 at 18.00 UK time

World time converter in the side bar  – >

image from unknown source via http://www.breakinconvention.com

Emma Bell with dancers from Soul Mavericks

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Link to BBC for synopsis

This episode of Opera on 3 is a recording of the British premiere of Judith Weir’s new opera Miss Fortune, from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Miss Tina Fortune is born into a wealthy family, but loses her luck thanks to the meddling hands of Fate, who is ever-present on stage with her. Her fortune only begins to improve when she confronts Fate, and they come to a truce. Judith Weir’s new opera includes break-dancing, lottery wins, exploding kebab vans, and some beautiful music.

Gallery of FABULOUS photos by Bill Cooper

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents and talks to Judith Weir and conductor Paul Daniel about the opera.

Tina…..Emma Bell (Soprano)
Simon…..Jacques Imbrailo – Baritone)
Fate…..Andrew Watts (Counter-Tenor)
Donna…..Anne-Marie Owens (Mezzo-Soprano)
Hassan…..Noah Stewart (Tenor)
Lord Fortune…..Alan Ewing (Bass)
Lady Fortune…..Kathryn Harries (Soprano)
Royal Opera House Orchestra
Royal Opera House Chorus, Conductor…..Paul Daniel

Duration 2 hours

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Comment from Michael White, voted Britain’s least boring music critic by listeners of Classic FM.

Review from The Arts Desk

Interview on Soundcloud in which Judith Weir discusses with Petroc Trelawny how she composes

and the challenges of being both composer and librettist for this opera.

An interview with Judith Weir in Composition Today

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White Shirt [not quite the] Weekend – a postcard

This is where I am

image from the BBC

Unfortunately it doesn’t look like this today. Shrouded in mist, drizzle and freezing cold!

Don’t mind too much. I’ve got a date with Romeo to look forward to!

See all you White Shirts over at Anik’s on Saturday

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And if anyone reading this does not yet know what is making

many opera lovers all a-twitter with anticipation

click here

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BBC young musician 2012 – THE WINNER

Following a titanic battle for the prestigious title and trophy the winner was

Laura Van Der Heijden ( ‘cello )

‘Cello concerto – William Walton

“It dates from 1956, is ful of brilliant ideas and colours

and has what I would call a strong storyline.

I’d love to play it with an orchestra”

from Laura’s interview with Andrew Stewart

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Learn more about Laura at her web site

Comment from Norman Lebrecht!

Latest comments from Norman Lebrecht

Link to BBC news article about Laura’s success

Comment from Clemency Burton – Hill, presenter.

From the BBC media centre

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Congratulations and thanks must go to all the young musicians in this fantastic competition. They have displayed remarkable talent, perseverance and generosity in sharing their gifts. In an age when it is all too easy to condemn young people and heed the negative side which is often portrayed in the media, it is indeed heartening to see so many youngsters giving their all to pursue their dream so passionately. What better example of hard work and dedication could there be? And let’s not forget the parents without who’s support none of this would happen. Hours spent ferrying to  music lessons, concerts and competitions. Homes taken over by instruments and the paraphernalia of musical life. Sacrifices of all kinds, including financial ones, so that the young person can achieve their potential. So thank you, one and all including the dear old BBC for holding the competition in the first place – even though none of the programmes was live and there was rather too much interviewing. Come on Aunty Beeb – it’s the music that we tune in for so let’s have more of it in 2014. Please!

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For those without access to BBC television here is a taster of Laura’s winning performance

video courtesy of Kate Monty

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BBC young musician – The Final

BBC Young Musician 2012 reaches a thrilling crescendo, as the three gifted finalists make a bid to become the eighteenth winner of this coveted title. For the first time since 2006, the biennial event returns to The Sage Gateshead, where the three finalists perform a concerto of their choice with the Northern Sinfonia, under acclaimed conductor Kirill Karabits.

Presenter Clemency Burton-Hill introduces the competitors’ performances and documentary profiles. Joining her, providing insightful comment and analysis of the music, are special guests – the distinguished and hugely popular composer Eric Whitacre and rising classical guitar star, Milos Karadaglic. Josie D’Arby presents from backstage, meeting the competitors and getting reactions before and after their performances. Personally, this is the aspect of such competitions which I enjoy least. This particular presenter was charged with the same task at Cardiff Singer of the World last year and I felt the questions were trite, intrusive and unnecessary and the presentation embarrassing. Perhaps there will be an improvement? don’t hold your breath.

The judges for the final

Previous BBC Young Musician winners and finalists have gone on to major international careers, with the likes of Jennifer Pike, Guy Johnston and Nicola Benedetti now enjoying enormous success as soloists and recording artists. The competition’s last triumphant winner – pianist Lara Melda – also gives a guest performance at this final, playing a movement from Rachmaninov’s much-loved second piano concerto.

Expect tension, drama and some truly astonishing music-making

The three musicians chosen to go through to the final are:

Yuanfan Yang ( piano )

“greatest sense of joy in communicating what he felt about the music”

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Laura Van Der Heijden ( ‘cello )

 ”inhabited every piece she played”

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Charlotte Barbour-Condini ( recorder )

“captivated with an ethereal sound”

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BBC young musician – the semi final

Saturday 12^th May 2012 

BBC 2 television

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The tension is building and nerves are kicking in as we reach the semi-final stage of BBC Young Musician 2012. The five winners of the keyboard, brass, strings, woodwind and percussion categories go head-to-head at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, each hoping to impress the jury and win one of three places in the final of this prestigious competition.

Making the all-important decisions are composer and performer Tansy Davies; Marshall Marcus, director of the London Southbank Centre’s Sistema Programme; prominent British pianist, composer and teacher Huw Watkins; and Gareth Jones, conductor and founder of Sinfonia Cymru. Clemency Burton-Hill goes behind the scenes to give us all the competition news and introduces profiles of the five talented semi-finalists, as well as highlights from their extraordinary performances.

THE FIVE YOUNG MUSICIANS CHOSEN TO BE IN THE IN THE SEMI FINAL WERE:

Yuanfan Yang (15) Piano, Prestwich, Lancs

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Alexander Kelly (16) Bass Trombone, Hale, Altrincham

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Laura Van Der Heijden (14) Cello, Forest Row, East Sussex

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Charlotte Barbour-Condini (15) Recorder, Stoke Newington, London

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Hyun-gi Lee (15) Percussion, Guildford/Seoul, South Korea

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THE FINAL WILL BE TELEVISED ON SUNDAY 13th MAY

18.00 on BBC 2 television

and at the same time on BBC radio 3

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Paul Bullock, Executive Editor, BBC Young Musician, said: “The Sage, Gateshead is one of the finest venues for live performance in the UK and we’re delighted to be taking the final of BBC Young Musician 2012 to the North East.”

The winner of the contest will be awarded the title of BBC Young Musician 2012,

a prize of £2,000 and a specially commissioned trophy

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Television schedule for the semi final

BBC HD Saturday 12 May 2012 18:00
BBC Two Saturday 12 May 2012 18:00

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photographs are screengrabs from BBC video except for the top one which

is from Yuanfan Yang’s web site

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BBC young Musician – percussion winner

The winner of the percussion category final was

Hyun-gi Lee 

Her programme

Miki: Marimba Spiritual
Campbell: Garage Drummer
Burritt: Caritas for Marimba, 3rd Mov: Majestic
Chopin arr Lee: Etude Op. 10, No.4

Accompanists: Hristo Duchev & Christine Burke (Percussion); Jeff Howard (Piano)

Hyun-gi from Seoul, Republic of Korea, discovered percussion when she was nine and started playing at the age of 11. Being the daughter of a piano teacher, she also played piano from an early age and still enjoys it. Hyun-gi came to the UK when she was 12 and is currently doing her GCSEs. In her free time she enjoys exercising and baking.

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Congratulations to Hyun-gi and many, many thanks to all the contestants

who gave us a spectacular display of  musicianship, commitment and sheer enjoyment.

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The Death of Klinghoffer on radio

Saturday 12 May 2012 at 18.00 UK time

The Death of Klinghoffer

An English National Opera production recorded at The Coliseum, London earlier this year

 photocredit: Richard Hubert Smith

Link to BBC for information

No “Live from The Met” on radio 3 this week but a recording of a controversial opera by John Adams

In the words of the BBC:

John Adams and his librettist Alice Goodman always knew that using the 1985 hijacking of the cruise ship Achille Lauro as the basis for an opera would be a hot potato. But quite how hot, even he couldn’t have predicted. The controversy surrounding ‘The Death of Klinghoffer’, with its grisly plot including the murder of an elderly, disabled American Jew, has never abated since its 1991 premiere in Brussels. It has taken over twenty years for it to be staged in the UK and this production, directed by Tom Morris and recorded at English National Opera, is the first at a British opera house. Andrew McGregor explores the opera’s themes and controversy with Penny Woolcock, who herself directed a film of ‘Klinghoffer’. And in the interval, former BBC Middle East correspondent Tim Franks throws light on the political background of the region in the mid-80s.

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Klinghoffer…..Alan Opie (Baritone)
Captain…..Christopher Magiera (Baritone)
Marilyn Klinghoffer…..Michaela Martens (Mezzo-Soprano)
Molqui…..Edwin Vega (Tenor)
Rambo…..Sidney Outlaw (Baritone)
Mamoud…..Richard Burkhard (Baritone)
Austrian Woman…..Kathryn Harries (Soprano)
First Officer…..James Cleverton (Baritone)
Swiss Grandmother…..Lucy Shaufer (Mezzo-Soprano)
Palestinian Woman…..Clare Presland (Soprano)
British Dancing Girl…..Kate Miller-Heidke (Singer)
Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera. Conductor…..Baldur Brönnimann

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Synopsis from ENO

Audio clips of music and interviews

Gallery of excellent high-res photos by Richard Hubert Smith

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DURATION: 3 HOURS

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BBC young musician – percussion category finals

* and the winner is *

The final of the percussion category

Friday  11th May at 19.30 on BBC 4 TV

The ultimate music contest continues, as BBC Young Musician 2012 shines a spotlight on some of the UK’s most talented young percussionists in the last of five category finals from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.

Clemency Burton-Hill introduces extensive highlights from their performances, with behind-the-scenes access and insightful comment and analysis. Rhythm takes centre stage, as we witness a spectacular display of technique, showmanship and passion from five percussionists: 18-year-olds James Larter, Richard Rayner and Molly Lopresti, and 16-year-olds Peter Rayner and Hyun-gi Lee. Expect the unexpected from a mostly modern repertoire, which features backing tracks, shouting and self-penned compositions.

With the semi-final line up almost complete, each of the five young percussionists will be hoping that their journey doesn’t end here. They’ll be aiming to convince the judges that they deserve the one remaining place in the semi-final, taking them a step closer to the coveted title, BBC Young Musician 2012. Judges Adrian Spillett, the first percussionist ever to win the Young Musician competition and Andrea Vogel a freelance musician and teacher, are joined, as usual, by Gareth Jones.

I have highlighted one piece by each competitor which will take you to Youtube

and a performance – by someone else.

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James Larter  Age 17

Emslie: Hugh’s Chilled Red
Maric: Trilogy, 1st Mov: Concentrics
Miki: Marimba Spiritual

Accompanist: Hristo Duchev

James, from Northampton, started playing percussion at the age of 11 and hopes to become a professional percussionist. He is joint-principal percussionist of the National Youth Orchestra and enjoys playing chamber music and jazz. He is influenced by Colin Currie and Evelyn Glennie. Aside from music, James enjoys swimming and playing football.

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Richard Rayner  Age 18

Emslie: Hugh’s Chilled Red
Sammut: 4 Rotations for Marimba, Rotation 2
Rayner: Uprising
Lalo: Little Friendly Giant

Accompanists: Richard Craker (Drums); Chris Gilbertson (Bass)

Richard, from Chelmsford, started playing the drums at the age of five and progressed onto percussion, winning recognition in both. He also studies jazz piano and plays in many jazz and classical ensembles. He performs regularly with his weekend school’s Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band, Brass Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble. Richard enjoys recording with his band Franko which recently completed a tour of Thailand and the UK.

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Molly Lopresti  Age 18

Stout: Mexican Dance for Marimba, No.2
Glennie: A Little Prayer
DeLancey: The Love of l’Histoire
Abe: Dream of the Cherry Blossoms

Molly, from Totnes in south Devon, started studying percussion, in particular marimba, at the age of 13. She enjoys playing a wide variety of musical styles which is reflected in the various ensembles she performs with. Molly is currently studying for her A levels in Music, Spanish and History and will be going to music college in September in the hope that this will lead to a career in music.

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Peter Rayner  Age 15

Abe: Prism for Solo Marimba
Hollinden: Cold Pressed
Abe: Michi

Peter, from Chelmsford, passed his Grade 8 drum kit on his 11th birthday. He studies percussion, drum kit and piano at his Saturday music school. He performs regularly with their Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band, Brass Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble which has given him opportunities to play at many prestigious venues. Peter also plays bass in jazz ensembles and has a passion for composing.

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Hyun-gi Lee Age 16

Miki: Marimba Spiritual
Campbell: Garage Drummer
Burritt: Caritas for Marimba, 3rd Mov: Majestic
Chopin arr Lee: Etude Op. 10, No.4

Accompanists: Hristo Duchev & Christine Burke (Percussion); Jeff Howard (Piano)

Hyun-gi from Seoul, Republic of Korea, discovered percussion when she was nine and started playing at the age of 11. Being the daughter of a piano teacher, she also played piano from an early age and still enjoys it. Hyun-gi came to the UK when she was 12 and is currently doing her GCSEs. In her free time she enjoys exercising and baking.

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Television schedule for the percussion final

BBC Four Friday 11 May 2012 19:30
BBC Four Saturday 12 May 2012 02:00
BBC HDSaturday 12 May 2012 16:30

Link to BBC 4 TV

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Maestro at the opera – more hints for contestants

The would-be conductors in “Maestro at the Opera” may well have to tackle an aria in Italian.

Here is a useful translation of a popular Mozart aria.

Rainer Hersch conducts the orchestra in his translation of

‘Come Scoglio’ from Act I, Scene III of the Italian opera, Così fan tutte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Soprano: Lore Lixenberg.

video courtesy of karenlesliejones

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Free iPads – be quick!

photo from Britain Express

I read today that British MPs are to be given iPads free of charge. Full story here.

In response to this outrage I have managed to source  a quantity of iPads which I think should also be given free by Her Majesty’s Government and you may qualify to receive one.

I shall post further details as soon as possible.

 In the meantime click here to see the full details and specifications of the iPad you may receive.

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BBC young musician – woodwind category winner

The winner of the woodwind category was recorder player

Charlotte Barbour-Condini

screengrab from BBC video

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Her programme

Anon: Trotto
Castello: Sonata Seconda
Panufnik: Remember
Martin-Linde: Music for a Bird

Accompanists: Hristo Duchev (Percussion) & David Gordon (Harpsichord)

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Charlotte, from Stoke Newington, London, started individual recorder lessons when she was 10. She also plays piano and violin and is in her school orchestra, recorder ensemble and choir. Outside school she is the leader of the Hackney Borough Youth Orchestra and when time permits she trains and runs for her local club. Charlotte has competed in the London Mini Marathon for the last three years.

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Congratulations to Charlotte who was praised for her ability to draw the audience in,

and a huge thank you to all the contestants who gave us a

thrilling evening of top quality music with some exquisite performances.

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