Education

We had two wonderful events in Autumn 2018, both of which prepared our singers for their November concert. The first was a Masterclass where artistic Consultant Richard Jackson, vocal studies professor at the Royal College of Music and his colleague and Royal College professor Russell Smythe worked with singers on their singing technique and presentation skills. The day culminated in a short concert for members of the public, who were also welcomed during the day so that they could watch this fascinating process. In the words of one of the participants: "Well, I think it's safe to say that the first-rate Smythe & Jackson Masterclass was of consummate benefit to all involved, audience and participants alike, as it richly informed our individual interpretations and brought our respective techniques up to a whole new level. Bravi tutti!"

Then we were treated to an inspiring Workshop by John Brolly. John has worked in community and youth theatre, storytelling and performing at corporate entertainment events across the world. He has racked up a range of film and television credits. Now based in Cornwall, he has returned to create wonderful theatre in one of the world's most beautiful places. His inspirational teaching was appreciated by all those who attended, and prepared for our Mevagissey concert and Macbeth at the Minack in 2019.

Masterclass for Singers
which was held on 9th/10th May 2015 at Truro School Chapel
with international Tenor John Treleaven - Sponsored by Duchy Opera
John Treleaven is one of the nation's outstanding singers. After his spectacular debut as Tristan in Amsterdam with Simon Rattle, he has portrayed this hero across the world, at the Hamburg State Opera, Barcelona, the Frankfurt Opera, the Brisbane Festival, Verona, Torino, Santiago de Chile, Montreal, at the Luzern Festival with Claudio Abbado, and repeatedly at the Bavarian State Opera Festival in Munich. He has played Siegfried in Tokyo, Zurich, Helsinki, Barcelona, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House London with Antonio Pappano and at the Lyric Opera Chicago. His numerous other roles include Idomeneo, Lohengrin, Tannhäuser, Siegmund, and many of the 'greats' such as Hans in The Bartered Bride, as well as Radames, Erik and Florestan amongst many others.

One of the leading Opera singers of his generation, John Treleaven came back home to Cornwall to share his wealth of experience with singers, performing alone with others, or in small groups.

Gwinear pupils at Eden Project Creative Arts day

(centre) Keith Sparrow, librettist and School run team director.

Paul Drayton, Music Director and Composer of "The Mermaid of Zennor"

Duchy Opera has always been fully committed to education and has arranged many master classes and workshops for both members and non-members of the Company, working with professionals at the top of their fields.

The School Run
At the beginning of 2010 it was felt that Duchy Opera needed to engage with younger people and so it was decided to take an opera-themed workshop into schools under the title of The School Run. It consisted of a group of 8 –12 singers and Duchy Opera’s music director, who visited primary schools throughout Cornwall, introducing children to the idea of singing opera music. Songs were especially written by Paul Drayton & Keith Sparrow to educate and enthuse young people through singing and movement.

The School Run was a huge success, receiving enthusiastic responses from the schools visited, gaining sponsorship from Barclays Business Centre and a grant from the FEAST programme in its first year of formation.

Eden Project Creative Arts Day
Jan 2014
Children from Gwinear School travelled to St Austell to take part in a musical extravaganza. The South West Arts Award Conference was held at the Eden Project and pupils were invited to join in a celebration of the arts.
Creative workshops held by industry professionals saw half the children work with Duchy Opera to reproduce dancing and singing based on the Spanish Toreador. The other half worked with dance professional, Sarah Waller, to create group pieces based around the theme of pirates.
Chair of governors, Cathy Woolcock, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the opera workshop and would highly recommend it to anyone. The children were completely absorbed by the task in hand and concentrated for the whole hour, which was most impressive.”

School Run at the Eden Project
December 2012
Duchy Opera was invited to give an outreach workshop on opera to children at an Arts Award day at the Eden Project. Led by "Baron Herzog" (AKA Keith Sparrow), choreographer Helen Tiplady, and accompanist Paul Drayton, a team of singers gave a lively introduction to the world of opera, using original songs and a tongue-in-cheek adaptation of a quartet from Gilbert & Sullivan's Gondoliers, as well as teaching the Toreador Chorus from the famous opera by Georges Bizet, Carmen.

Lucy Eaton, Soprano

The Mermaid of Zennor
2012/2013
The School Run outreach programme led directly to the composing of a brand new opera for children and adults, entitled The Mermaid of Zennor. It was first performed in June/July 2012 in Bude, Penzance and Truro Cathedral, involving 9 primary schools across Cornwall. Around 270 pupils took part in workshops leading up to a full performance, giving full rein to their talents with Duchy Opera acting in a performing and supportive role with adult principals and chorus.

It is an original chamber opera composed by Paul Drayton with libretto by Keith Sparrow and was revived in 2013 for two performances at Falmouth, involving four new schools. It was supported by FEAST and the Cornwall Music Service. A professional production of the opera features in the repertoire of the 2022 Glyndebourne Festival.

Pictured left are children from St Mary's RC School preparing for their performance in colourful tabards made by Kathy Brown and Sheila Collins, with masks made by themselves.

Thanks from the children