Review: MIRACLE! at Sunderland Minster

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MIRACLE! An Opera of Two Halves

Sunderland Minster, High Street West, SR1 3ET

Until Sunday 29^th November 2015

Jonathan Cooke & Miles Horner

with chorus

Photo: Mark Savage

Music in the Minster has commissioned Writer David Almond and Composer Marcos Fernandez to create an operatic piece about fans, passion and Sunderland AFC.

Triumphant chorus

Photo: Mark Savage

The use of the opera style for a contemporary story is much more in keeping with the original storytelling origins of opera than the high stakes productions that it tends to be associated with today.  It seems to be the perfect vehicle to explore the emotional rollercoaster ride for fans and players alike.

Adult chorus as SAFC

fans on the terraces

Photo: Mark Savage

The venue is a large historic old church opposite the Sunderland Empire. This brings about a number of challenges for the production but they had pulled it off.

Jonathan Cooke as Angelo

Photo: Mark Savage

Despite the weather outside, the room was nicely warm.  The stage comprising of some football terraces and a bit of green pitch was central to the show. The lighting design helped pick out the action. The show relied upon the natural acoustics of the church.  The musicians, and sometimes the backing vocalists, were tucked into the side but could be easily heard.

MIRACLE - An Opera of Two Halves

Photo: Mark Savage

The story follows Sunderland AFC who are facing the drop. Local striker Hughie Mann (Miles Homer) is having a nightmare. The Angels, comprising of local young people with very angelic voices, notice Sunderland’s plight and God (Ian Priestly) decides to send them an angel to help them out. 

Youth chorus as angels

Photo: Mark Savage

Angelo (Jonathan Cooke) is signed by the club and has an immediate impact both on and off the pitch. This includes falling in love with a lovely lass from Pennywell (Caroline Kennedy). Can the relationship survive? Will Angelo bring even more success in the following season? All is revealed!

Jonathan Cooke as Angelo

Photo: Mark Savage

The show is literally made up of two 45 minute halves, just like football. The action is not given the opportunity to drag.

The ensemble of volunteer performers stay in character throughout the show. Their collective voices filling the church. The youth chorus are exceptional and really lift the score. The cast seem to really enjoy performing.

Jonathan Cooke as Angelo

Photo: Mark Savage

Amongst the professional soloists the stand out performance was Jonathan Cooke, as Angelo.  His strong voice and personality totally suited the hero of the story.  Ian Priestly had gravitas as both God in the pulpit and manager Larry Trench. Caroline Kennedy was also great in her role as the footballer’s love interest.

Music Director Marco Romano

conducts the live orchestra

Photo: Mark Savage

Nine musicians accompany the show. Musical Director Marco Romano led a very tight opening night accompaniment. The new score was a joy to hear.

Director Annie Rigby has created a stunning musical piece of theatre. This was a very passionate production, very fitting of the region and its fanatical football fans.

Youth chorus Photo: Mark Savage

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/preview-miracle-at-sunderland-minster.html

Centre left Miles Horner as

Hughie Mann & Fiona Tobin as his wife

Photo: Mark Savage

Tickets:

Soprano Caroline Kennedy plays a lovely lass from Pennywell

Photo: Mark Savage

MIRACLE! An Opera of Two Halves is at Sunderland Minster from 27-29 November 2015 at 7.30pm, plus 2.30pm matinee on Sun 29 November.

Tickets priced £10 / £8 concessions are now available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/musicintheminster   

0844 8700 887*

*No booking fees for e-tickets; Ticket Source fees apply for phone bookings or tickets delivered by post

Preview: La Traviata at Darlington Civic Theatre

Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuideand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide.  Read about JoWhereToGo and its PR and photography services here.

 BOLSHOI SOLOIST TO PERFORM

IN DARLINGTON

La Traviata

Darlington Civic Theatre

Tuesday 6^th October 2015

Irina Bozhenko, Bolshoi Theatre soloist, is coming to Darlington Civic Theatre to perform in Verdi’s opera masterpiece La Traviata on Tuesday 6^th October. The show features an impressive cast and accompanied by a large live Orchestra with over 30 musicians

Irina Bozhenko, who has starred in operas across the globe, will be making a guest appearance in Darlington, in the leading role of Violetta.  Following the enthusiastic reception which greeted the performance of Rigoletto opera earlier this year, the renowned Russian State Ballet and Opera House is back with one of the greatest of Verdi’s operas La Traviata – a love story shrouded in sacrifice and misunderstanding.

This haunting tragedy, with its beautiful arias, will transport you into the entrancing world of French High Society in the 1850s. One of the most powerful and moving of all tragic operas, Giuseppe Verdi brings the beguiling splendour and gaiety of mid-19th century Parisian life to the stage. But there is also heartbreak and pathos in this tragic and resonant morality tale in which Violetta, a high-society courtesan with a heart of gold, sacrifices everything for the man she loves.

It is deservedly one of Verdi’s most popular operas and probably the one with which he felt the closest emotional connection.

La Traviata, an ultimately tragic tale, combines compelling characters with hugely powerful, moving and instantly recognisable melodies, making it still, 162 years after its 1853 debut, one of the most emotionally engaging and popular operas of all time. It is a deeply moving opera filled with emotion and strokes of genius. The score encompasses an astonishing range of moods and emotions, from Alfredo’s aristocratic charms to Violetta’s vivid effervescence, perfectly captured in her toast to life and free will “Libiamo ne’ licit calici” (let’s drink from the joyful cups) and “Sempre libera” (always free) - a vocal showpiece to rival any other.

Here is an interview with Irina Bozhenko, who has starred in operas across the globe, and will be making a guest appearances in the leading role of Violetta in Darlington.

How old were you when you realised that you wanted to be an Opera singer?

I used to sing in kinder garden and then in school where I was part of the school choir. I went through a stage of trying to be like Whitney Huston. Especially, I used to love singing when I did chores at home.

What do you do after a performance?

We have a tradition with the cast – After any premiere we get together to celebrate and discuss the performance. We are all together in it, rehearsals, stress, and performances, so it’s important to share the feelings with each other and get it out of your chest.

How do you separate work from home?

I never bring my work home. Although sometimes if I can’t get things right I moan to my husband. He is a good musician so he understands what I am talking about.

What do you like doing in your free time?

I like to cook and being outside. Nothing extraordinary. Being surrounded by nature calms me down. It’s important for me to switch off at the right moment. We give so much emotion on stage it’s vital to recharge.

If you could, what message will you give to the audience?

Don’t be shy to show your emotions, it is really important for us. At the end of the day we are singing for you!

Ticket:

La Traviata is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 6^th October 2015.

Tickets* are £29 to £36.

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

 

Preview: The Great Charter at Durham & Middlesbrough Cathedrals

Magna Carta through Opera

The Great Charter

DurhamCathedral - Saturday 13 June

MiddlesbroughCathedral - Saturday 20 June

Young people from across County Durham will join with local singers and professional musicians in a celebration through words and song of the 800^th anniversary of Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta was a peace-making document drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to settle unrest between King John and a group of rebel barons. Issued on 15 June 1215 at Runnymede near Windsor, it promised the protection of church rights, protection for the barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown. The Magna Carta subsequently formed the basis of the American and French revolutions, shaped the constitutions of postcolonial nations, and inspired the configuration of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is now the theme of a brand new community opera, which will be performed in the majestic spaces of both Durham and Middlesbrough cathedrals.

The main themes of equality before the law, democracy, and freedom have been woven together by composer Timothy Craig Harrison and librettist Paul Hodgson, to create The Great Charter, an opera spread across two periods in time: that of King John and a futuristic period.

Librettist Paul Hodgson explained: “Any tale of oppression and injustice remains relevant for all time and Timothy and I felt that a double narrative would increase the immediacy of the issues being put on stage. The Great Charter, is not just about the Magna Carta and the conflict between King John and the Barons, there is a parallel futuristic story told in alternate scenes about a totalitarian state run by the Protector.”

The opera, which is a community-focused project, will be performed by professional musicians, the Durham Singers, Durham Cathedral Young Singers, and DCYS VOX: both choirs formed as part of Durham Cathedral’s music outreach programme. The choirs will be joined by soloists Deryck Webb (tenor), Clare Tunney and Harriet Beckham (sopranos); the Choristers of Middlesbrough Cathedral;  children from St Edwards RC, St Augustine's RC, and St Bernadette's RC Primary Schools in Middlesbroughand pupils from Durham Johnston School, Durham. 

Composer Timothy Craig Harrison said: “It was important that this opera should be able to reach out and include as many people as possible, both performers and audience members. This posed a challenge on many different levels, both practical and theatrical, physical and musical: how to devise a work which would draw together  solo  singers,  choirs,  actors  and instrumentalists  of varying  ages  and  abilities,  from  primary  school  children  through  to professional musicians; a community opera that would bring people together in the joy of music-making and yet allow the performers to rehearse independently for much of the time, all finally coming together fairly close to the performance date.

“The Great Charter is an opera for everyone; adults and children and I hope that everyone will enjoy being part of it either as an actor, singer, orchestral musician or member of the audience.”

Michael Sadgrove, Dean of Durham said: “The creation of a community opera in celebration of the 800^th anniversary of the Magna Carta, was conceived by the Cathedral and the Durham Singers. I am delighted that the Cathedral is both a commissioner and a venue for this new and imaginative work.  It is also particularly pleasing to be working with another faith organisation, the Catholic Cathedral of St Mary’s, Middlesbrough and primary schools in its Diocese.   These world premier performances, at Cathedrals at the heart of their communities, promise to be wonderful evenings of cultural enrichment.”      

 Durham Cathedral holds three issues of Magana Carta, 1216, 1225 and 1300.  The 1216 copy is the only surviving copy from this date and will be on display at Palace Green Library as part of its Magna Carta and the Changing Face of Revolt exhibition this summer.

Tickets:

The Great Charteropera will take place in Durham Cathedral on Saturday, 13 June and at Middlesbrough Cathedral on Saturday, 20 June at 7.30 pm. Tickets for both performances can be purchased through the Gala Theatre, Durham Box Office on 03000 266 600, or www.galadurham.co.uk

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Preview: Opera North at Newcastle Theatre Royal

La Traviata Returns To Lead Vibrant Spring Opera Season

Opera North

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 March 2015

Opera North’s critically acclaimed production of La traviata is set to return to Newcastle Theatre Royal this spring, accompanied by three of the most exuberant operas ever written.  The season runs Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 March 2015.

As well as the Verdi masterpiece, Opera North return with Mozart's sublime comedy The Marriage of Figaro (Thu 5 & Sat 7 March) and a double bill of  Falla’s extraordinary La vida breve and Puccini’s comic Gianni Schicchi (Tue 3 March).

The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro is one of opera's most tender, funny and heart-warming works. Right from the famous overture which sets the scene for comic misadventures, Mozart's music expresses all the joy and pain of love, along with the agony and ecstasy of desire.

On Figaro's wedding day, he discovers that his master, the Count, is in pursuit of his bride, Susanna. The Countess is heartbroken by her husband's infidelity – but is herself soon the object of the teenage desires of the page boy, Cherubino. To top it all off, Figaro has borrowed money from the housekeeper, and if he can't pay it back, he'll have to marry her instead!

The Marriage of Figaro

A top international and British cast includes baritone Richard Burkhard as Figaro and Norwegian soprano Silvia Moi(Papagena in Kenneth Branagh’s The Magic Flute) as Susanna.  The production has already garnered critical acclaim and received multiple five star reviews when it opened in Leeds last week.

Two outstanding operas come together to create one extraordinary evening, in a double bill of La vida breve and Gianni Schicchi (Tue 3 March).

Director Christopher Alden’s ferocious take on Manuel de Falla’s short exuberant opera, La vida breve is an intense, unforgettable experience. An all or nothing tragedy of a woman who loves a worthless man, the atmosphere is heightened by the influence of Andalusian folk song and Spanish dance rhythms. French soprano Anne Sophie Duprels (Cio-Cio San, Madama Butterfly) stars in the devastating lead role of Salud.

A perfect, light-hearted companion to La vida breve, Gianni Schicchi is Puccini’s only outright comedy, based on an episode in Dante’s Inferno. Puccini’s exquisite music delightfully illustrates the greed and absurdity driving the actions of a dying man’s scheming relatives.  With its vivid characterisation it is a comic masterpiece in miniature. Featuring one of Puccini’s best loved arias, ‘O mio babbino caro,’ the production stars one of the current great operatic performers, Christopher Purves, in the title role. 

Alessandro Talevi’s opulent and sensational Belle Époque production of La traviata (4 & 6 March), a smash hit sell-out when it played the Theatre Royal in November 2014,  returns with new cast members Anna Jeruc-Kopec as Violetta and Stephen Gadd as Germont. South Korean tenor Ji-Min Park continues to charm audiences as Alfredo.

Verdi's great tear-jerker proved an instant hit in the autumn, with its glamorous costumes and stunning sets evoking the decadence and debauchery of Belle Époque Paris.

Violetta is a courtesan to the rich, whose world of wine, song and reckless pleasure is turned upside down when she falls in love with a young nobleman, Alfredo.  Unable to suppress her feelings, she gives up her lavish lifestyle in Paris for a simpler life with him in the country. But when her past threatens his family’s honour, she is forced to sacrifice her only chance of real love.

Tickets:

Opera North is at Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 3 March until Sat 7 March 2015. 

Tickets are available from £16.50 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Preview: Verdi’s Opera Rigoletto On Tour

Russian State Ballet and Opera House

Verdi’s Opera Rigoletto

 (sung in Italian with English surtitles)

With music performed by a large live Orchestra

On Tour including:

Monday  16th February      Newcastle,Tyne Theatre and Opera House 

Tuesday  17th February      Darlington, Civic Theatre

Friday      27th February      Carlisle, Sands Centre

With an impressive cast and accompanied by a live Orchestra with over 30 musicians, Verdi’s masterpiece and best-loved opera, Rigoletto  is brought vividly to life by The Russian State Ballet and Opera House, who have already delighted audiences last year with two successful performances of Carmen and La Traviata.

Rigoletto- a tragic tale of misunderstanding, revenge and sacrifice.

Rigolettois an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, and based on the play “Le Roi s’amuse” by Victor Hugo.

Giuseppe Verdi, the well-loved and popular Italian composer, was commissioned to write a new opera by La Fenice Opera House in Venice in 1850. By this time he was already a well-known composer and had a degree of freedom in choosing the works he would prefer to set to music. Verdi enthused over Victor Hugo’s play. Often described as Verdi’s first work of complete genius, Rigoletto is particularly noted for its subtle and highly original characterisation, especially in the case of the tragic court jester, Rigoletto himself.

The tragic story revolves around the hunchbacked court jester, Rigoletto, his beautiful much-loved daughter Gilda (whom he had kept secret from the Court) and the Duke of Mantua he serves.

However, Rigoletto’s sarcastic comments and participation in the Duke’s escapades have won him many enemies among the Duke’s followers.

Count Monterone, furious that his family has been shamed by the Duke’s seduction of his daughter, ruins the jolly party and is arrested, cursing the Duke and Rigoletto.

Count Ceprano, not amused by Rigoletto’s constant humiliating remarks, and thinking that Gilda is Rigoletto’s mistress, plots an immediate revenge and persuades his followers to kidnap Gilda and take her to the Duke. 

Rigoletto goes to his daughter’s rescue. The nobles mock Rigoletto for his troubles. After comforting his daughter, Rigoletto vows to be avenged on the Duke and hires a hit man.

The curse comes to fruition when Gilda falls in love with the Duke and eventually sacrifices her life to save him from the assassin hired by her father.

A succession of stunning tunes, including the famous ‘La donna è mobile’, combined with an ever-present underlying tension and menace in a plot involving abduction, seduction and revenge. Rigoletto is one of the most difficult roles in the baritone repertoire: in public, the Duke’s clown and sidekick – in private, a tender, obsessively protective father.

Rigolettois Verdi’s supreme masterpiece – the perfect tragic opera and an unforgettable experience for all.

Opera lovers, the world over, have taken Rigoletto to their hearts.

Alexej Ignatow, producer of The Russian State Ballet & Opera House says: “Opera has been able to take advantage of the high-tech revolution in home entertainment, television and cinema and more and more people are discovering it. However, nothing can replace the pleasure to attend a live performance, which is why we are dedicated to presenting full and positive new productions in regional theatres.

We want to give the opportunity to local audiences to experience these classics at a fraction of the cost they would pay in big cities, give them great pleasure and inspire them to want more.

Dedicated to innovation as well as quality, the Russian State Ballet and Opera House has been presenting ballets and operas to huge audiences for over 13 years.”

Alexej continued “After touring successful Ballets performances all over UKlast Autumn, we have managed to secure The Russian State Opera and Ballet Theatre of Komi to come back in Spring 2015 with their new production of Rigoletto. The Russian State Ballet and Opera of Komi came into repertory in 1958, with the premiere of Tchaikovsky’s opera “Eugene Onegin”. The Theatre is located in the Russian town of Syktyvkar, the capital of the Republic of Komi, just to the north of Moscow.

The Theatre boasts a mix of exciting productions and staging and participates in cultural exchanges.  Discovering the aesthetic and cultural preferences of foreign audiences, they have established partnerships with major European companies.   The Russian State Ballet and Opera of Komi is renowned across Europe for its faithful, intimate and powerful performances, and this new opera production will be no exception. “

But what about newcomers to Opera? Alexej Ignatow noted: “We often get asked how you would encourage people who have never seen an opera before, to come along for the first time? My instant reply is that you don’t need to be an expert in opera or music as we ensure that the set and costumes, and surtitles, make the production easy to follow. The music is beautiful and sometimes even if you’re lost in the plot, just close your eyes and enjoy the music.”

 On Tour

          DAY  DATE                    VENUE

                            

          Sun   08-Feb       Scarborough, The Spa

          Mon 09-Feb       Lincoln, Theatre Royal

          Tue   10-Feb       Yeovil, Octagon Theatre

          Wed 11-Feb       Basildon, Towngate Theatre

          Thu   12-Feb       Wakefield, Theatre Royal

          Fri      13-Feb       Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre

          Sun   15-Feb       York, Barbican

          Mon  16-Feb      Newcastle,Tyne Theatre and Opera House 

          Tues  17-Feb      Darlington, Civic Theatre

          Wed 18-Feb       Dorking Halls

          Thur  19-Feb       Hastings, White Rock Theatre

          Fri      20-Feb       London, Cadogan Hall

          Sat    21-Feb       Peterborough, The Cresset Theatre

          Sun   22-Feb       Stevenage, Gordon Craig Theatre

          Tues  24-Feb       Harrogate, Royal Hall

          Wed 25-Feb       Chesterfield, Pomegranate Theatre

          Thur  26-Feb       Stafford, Gatehouse Theatre

          Fri      27-Feb      Carlisle, Sands Centre

          Sat    28-Feb       Halifax, Victoria Theatre

          Sun   01-Mar      Clacton, Princes Theatre

          Tues  03-Mar      Swindon, Wyvern Theatre

          Wed 04-Mar      Stockport, The Plaza

          Thur  05-Mar      Blackburn, King George’s Hall

          Fri      06-Mar      Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn

          Sat    07-Mar      Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall

Do not delay in purchasing your ticket for the greatest opera, Rigoletto

For information and tickets, please visit www.opera-tickets.co.uk

Ticket details for Newcastle Opera House

Tickets are priced from £31.50 - £22.50 (plus booking fees when booking online and over the phone)

 

The Tyne Theatre & Opera House Box Office is open 10am-3:30pm Monday to Friday and event days

Booking and Information Line: 0844 2491 000 (10am – 6pm Monday to Friday)

More information at our Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Facebook: Facebook.com/tynetheatreandoperahouse  

Twitter: twitter.com/tyneoperahouse

Theatre Address: 109 – 119 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG