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Duchy Opera has built an enviable reputation as one of the country’s finest regional, semi-professional opera companies where a passion for opera is brought alive with imagination and flair.
The company strives to present opera productions of the highest standards possible, whilst fostering education about the art form and encouraging its growth with services and programmes designed to fill the needs of the Cornish community. If you are interested in being part of the county's foremost opera company, please contact us via this site for more details.
The Wreckers Die Fledermaus A Masked Ball
!!NEWS!! !!NEWS!! !!NEWS!!
Semele - the Opera
June to July 2008
This is no oratorio, but a bawdy opera!.....
Such was the somewhat terse comment from Charles Jennens, compiler of the libretto for Handel's Messiah, on seeing the composer's new opera Semele when it was premiered in the form of an oratorio in 1744.
More than 260 years later, the opera - funny, quirky and as brimming with good music as you could wish - is being revived by Duchy Opera for a tour of Cornwall and Devon this summer.
The production opens at the Burrell Theatre, Truro for two nights on June 13/14 and then visits the Keay Theatre, St Austell (June 21), the Wharf Theatre, Tavistock (June 25) and the Kidz R Us Theatre, St Ives (June 28) before the final performance in a marquee at the RHS Gardens, Rosemoor, Great Torrington (July 19).
Tickets for the Cornish venues are on sale at the Hall for Cornwall, Truro
Tel: 01872 262466.
The plot of Semele centres around a beautiful mortal whose short but fiery affair with Jupiter, king of the gods, comes to a terrifying end, due to her own vanity and the plotting of his wife Juno.
Set it to the music of some stirring choruses and heart-stopping arias and this is George Frederick Handel at the peak of his powers.
While the music remains sacrosanct, director Simon Harvey, who works with Kneehigh Theatre, has his own take on how the opera will look.
"I was struck by the similarities between my favourite TV programme 'The Sopranos' and Semele" he said. "The characters are defined by their excesses - everything is related to power and nothing is sacred - the women have big hair, long nails, gaudy make-up; the men are all sharp suits, slick hair and bling - The characters are so over the top in their dress sense, they're almost grotesque, and that's how I want Semele to be - in a way, almost cartoon-like."
Kay Deeming, from Mylor Bridge, sings the title role. "Semele is a character of contrasts - innocent and naive, yet determined, vain and ambitious, using her sexuality to achieve her aim of gaining godlike status. The music is intensely beautiful, yet tests singers both technically and expressively."
As Jupiter, Torquay-based tenor Steven Phillips has the tender aria "Where'ere you walk", while John Hobbs, from Bideford, sings Somnus, god of sleep - so sleepy in fact that he fails to reach the end of his aria!
Rachel Bosanko, will sing the vengeful role of Juno, Jupiter's long-suffering wife with Cheryl Brendish, who played the tragic heroine, Thirza in Duchy's production of 'The Wreckers', playing the comic role of Iris, Juno's tactless side-kick.
Amongst young singers who have joined Duchy for this production are 19 years old Phillipa Lusty from Truro who sings Cupid. A powerful Duchy Opera Chorus supports the 10 soloists and keyboard accompaniment is provided by Musical Director Paul Drayton and repetiteur, Anthony Trodd. The design of the opera is in the capable hands of Kathy Brown, who has designed a n umber of successful productions in the past for Duchy Opera.
Don't Miss Duchy Opera at:
Dart Music Festival, Gala Concert
18th May. Tickets available from Festival Office.
Duchy Opera has been invited to perform the gala event of the festival. Further information will be available shortly.
FOR FURTHER CONCERT INFORMATION PLEASE GO TO CALENDAR
The Wreckers Trial by Jury |
