Carmen - Friday 24th and Saturday 25th October 2014
Director: Fraser Grant
Music Director: Kenneth Roberts
Assistant Director: Karen McInally
Music Director: Kenneth Roberts
Assistant Director: Karen McInally
Bizet’s Carmen at The White Rock Theatre, Hastings, on October 24th and 25th at 7.30pm. Director Fraser Grant once again brings his expertise to the company this autumn following, last year’s beautiful and powerful Madam Butterfly. Kenneth Roberts conducts The Sussex Concert Orchestra.
The company are joined by several new soloists including the exciting Gemma Morsley in the title role (Opera Holland Park, Merry Opera Company, Opera Loki, Zeist Opera Festival, Oyster Opera) and Chris Elliott as Don Jose, a graduate of the RSAMD Opera School and described by Opera Now Magazine as “a voice of rare beauty (used) to excellent effect as Ottavio. His recitative delivery was utterly delightful and worth the ticket price alone... His performance.. leads me to the conclusion that this must be one of the best voices to have come out of the RSAMD for some time”.
The company are joined by several new soloists including the exciting Gemma Morsley in the title role (Opera Holland Park, Merry Opera Company, Opera Loki, Zeist Opera Festival, Oyster Opera) and Chris Elliott as Don Jose, a graduate of the RSAMD Opera School and described by Opera Now Magazine as “a voice of rare beauty (used) to excellent effect as Ottavio. His recitative delivery was utterly delightful and worth the ticket price alone... His performance.. leads me to the conclusion that this must be one of the best voices to have come out of the RSAMD for some time”.
NODA Accolade for OSE
As a result of this performance of Carmen, the next year on Sunday, 5th July 2015, John Rycroft, Chairman of Opera South East, attended the South East Region NODA (National Operatic & Dramatic Association) AGM, held in the Wessex Arts Centre, Alton College in Hampshire, where he received ann Accolade of Excellence 2014 for Musical Excellence for OSE's production of Carmen. Each NODA Regional Representative was asked to make the presentation of the awards to the winners in their region, and in doing so Anne Lawson said "Opera South East are an amazing Company. Just when you think they can't do any better, they crown it with another outstanding performance. They fully deserve this award!"
Directors Notes
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Passion turns to jealousy. Hope turns to despair. Order turns to anarchy. Beneath the blazing sun a bull is slaughtered for sport, as outside the arena a gypsy girl lies dead, murdered by her jealous lover. Passion and brutality dance hand in hand in this spectacular full-scale production. With its dramatic plot and thrilling score, Carmen is probably the most popular opera in the world, but director Fraser Grant brings a fresh approach and perhaps a more feminist realization to this production set in Seville in the late 1800s. Carmen is an incredibly superstitious woman who puts all her faith in the cards. When these predict her impending death, she accepts this and makes no attempt to prevent it.
We know from the start she is a fighter, and outside the bullring Carmen dismisses the warnings of Don Jose’s presence and seeks to confront him. Carmen makes no attempt to escape; it is as if she is hurrying along her fate, choosing her moment to die, staying in command to the end. So, while Don Jose is unhinged and carrying a knife, does he actually murder her? Or does Carmen manipulate him to fulfil the cards’ prediction? And by so doing, does she also set up the death of Don Jose, knowing that he will be executed for her murder? In the end, neither can survive without the other. Come find out why! Principal Cast list
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Booking information
Ticket prices:
- £20, £16 and £12
- concessions £2 off, accompanied under 16s free
- 50p booking fee per ticket up to groups of 8
- White Rock Theatre, White Rock, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1JX
- or phone 01424 462288
- or visit online at the White Rock Theatre Box Office
Biographies
Fraser Grant (Director)
Fraser Grant studied French at Edinburgh University and trained as a director at Drama Studio London. After five years as artistic director of the Drayton Court Theatre Company, he went on to become head of Music Theatre at The London College of Music and Media as well as Head of Drama at the Junior College. He is now Head of Drama at Harvington Prep School in Ealing coupling this with a continuing career in professional Opera and Music Theatre directing.
Opera Work includes The Merry Widow, La Traviata, Carmen, Tosca, The Pearl Fishers, Le Nozze di Figaro, La Cenerentola, Don Giovanni, La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Fidelio, Rigoletto , Die Fledermaus and The Magic Flute for First Act Opera, La Traviata, Cosi Fan Tutte, le Nozze di Figaro, Eugene Onegin, L'Elisir d'Amore and Il Barbiere di Siviglia for Oyster Opera, Eight Songs for a Mad King for Solaris Music Theatre at the Purcell Room, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Mikado, Dido and Aeneas, La Cenerentola, The Marriage of Figaro The Pirates of Penzance, Gianni Schicchi, Cavalleria Rusticana, HMS Pinafore, La Boheme Nabucco, Orpheus in the Underworld, Madamae Butterfly and The Magic Flute for Opera South East and The Magic Flute for Music Theatre Kernow.
At LCMM he has directed students in productions of Hansel and Gretel, Days of Hope, The Soldier's Tale, Weill Women and Shaken Not Stirred (a new musical written in collaboration with composing students). More recently he directed his own updated translation of Offenbach's Orpheus in the
Underworld and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. He recently adapted and directed a production of Carmen for the Unicorn Theatre using a mix of professional singers and children from local schools.
As a Theatre Director he has directed many productions including A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, Abigail's Party, The Wanderer, Broken Glass, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Threepenny Opera. He directed the Scottish premiere of Sondheim's Into The Woods and has won several awards for Best Production on the Edinburgh Fringe. His collaboration with playwright Lynne Harvey includes world premieres of The Jingo Drill, C, Laugh Out Loud and Something For The Grown Ups. He also works in Italy where he has directed touring productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, Twist and Shout - The Beatles' Story, Jekyll and Hyde, Romeo and Juliet, The Blues Brothers, Hamlet, The Comedy of Errors and A Christmas Carol.
He also works as a lyricist and translator, frequently collaborating with the cabaret duo Opera Tottie. He has translated many opera libretti including The Magic Flute, La Boheme, La Cenerentola, Orpheus in the Underworld and Die Fledermaus. He has recently completed a new translation of Offenbach's la belle Helene.Recent projects include: The film “Strangers in the Night” for Strangerfilms Ltd, An updated version of Cosi Fan Tutte for Jackson's Lane Theatre and innovative production of Ruddigore, The Gondoliers and La belle Helene in Questor's Theatre, Ealing. Current Projects include: The Mikado for JLOS.
Fraser Grant studied French at Edinburgh University and trained as a director at Drama Studio London. After five years as artistic director of the Drayton Court Theatre Company, he went on to become head of Music Theatre at The London College of Music and Media as well as Head of Drama at the Junior College. He is now Head of Drama at Harvington Prep School in Ealing coupling this with a continuing career in professional Opera and Music Theatre directing.
Opera Work includes The Merry Widow, La Traviata, Carmen, Tosca, The Pearl Fishers, Le Nozze di Figaro, La Cenerentola, Don Giovanni, La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Fidelio, Rigoletto , Die Fledermaus and The Magic Flute for First Act Opera, La Traviata, Cosi Fan Tutte, le Nozze di Figaro, Eugene Onegin, L'Elisir d'Amore and Il Barbiere di Siviglia for Oyster Opera, Eight Songs for a Mad King for Solaris Music Theatre at the Purcell Room, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Mikado, Dido and Aeneas, La Cenerentola, The Marriage of Figaro The Pirates of Penzance, Gianni Schicchi, Cavalleria Rusticana, HMS Pinafore, La Boheme Nabucco, Orpheus in the Underworld, Madamae Butterfly and The Magic Flute for Opera South East and The Magic Flute for Music Theatre Kernow.
At LCMM he has directed students in productions of Hansel and Gretel, Days of Hope, The Soldier's Tale, Weill Women and Shaken Not Stirred (a new musical written in collaboration with composing students). More recently he directed his own updated translation of Offenbach's Orpheus in the
Underworld and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. He recently adapted and directed a production of Carmen for the Unicorn Theatre using a mix of professional singers and children from local schools.
As a Theatre Director he has directed many productions including A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, Abigail's Party, The Wanderer, Broken Glass, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Threepenny Opera. He directed the Scottish premiere of Sondheim's Into The Woods and has won several awards for Best Production on the Edinburgh Fringe. His collaboration with playwright Lynne Harvey includes world premieres of The Jingo Drill, C, Laugh Out Loud and Something For The Grown Ups. He also works in Italy where he has directed touring productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, Twist and Shout - The Beatles' Story, Jekyll and Hyde, Romeo and Juliet, The Blues Brothers, Hamlet, The Comedy of Errors and A Christmas Carol.
He also works as a lyricist and translator, frequently collaborating with the cabaret duo Opera Tottie. He has translated many opera libretti including The Magic Flute, La Boheme, La Cenerentola, Orpheus in the Underworld and Die Fledermaus. He has recently completed a new translation of Offenbach's la belle Helene.Recent projects include: The film “Strangers in the Night” for Strangerfilms Ltd, An updated version of Cosi Fan Tutte for Jackson's Lane Theatre and innovative production of Ruddigore, The Gondoliers and La belle Helene in Questor's Theatre, Ealing. Current Projects include: The Mikado for JLOS.
Kenneth Roberts (Conductor/Musical Director)
Ken was born in Hastings and educated at York University where he gained BA and MA degrees in music. He works as Musical Director for numerous companies at home and abroad. He has played and conducted at many prestigious venues including The Royal Albert Hall, The Festival Hall, The Britten Theatre, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court. His second opera, Mister Butterfly, which he wrote in 1994 was premiered in Hong Kong and subsequently performed at the Edinburgh Festival, and featured in a documentary shown by BBC television and BBC World Service Satellite. He also enjoys giving his series of lecture recitals around the country on subjects ranging from Mozart to ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton.
In the past few years he has spent several spells in New Hampshire, USA, where he directed a new ‘African’ Musical, which he was commissioned to write. In 2002 he wrote the music for an awardwinning ‘international’ children’s piece produced in New England and fulfilled a commission from the Purcell School in association with the Vaughan-Williams Trust as part of their centenary celebrations to mark the birth of Sir William Walton. In 2005 he completed a commission to write a ballet based on the novel ‘The Trumpet Major’ by Thomas Hardy.
He has recently become a BIFF adjudicator and also lectures part time for the WEA.
Ken was born in Hastings and educated at York University where he gained BA and MA degrees in music. He works as Musical Director for numerous companies at home and abroad. He has played and conducted at many prestigious venues including The Royal Albert Hall, The Festival Hall, The Britten Theatre, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court. His second opera, Mister Butterfly, which he wrote in 1994 was premiered in Hong Kong and subsequently performed at the Edinburgh Festival, and featured in a documentary shown by BBC television and BBC World Service Satellite. He also enjoys giving his series of lecture recitals around the country on subjects ranging from Mozart to ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton.
In the past few years he has spent several spells in New Hampshire, USA, where he directed a new ‘African’ Musical, which he was commissioned to write. In 2002 he wrote the music for an awardwinning ‘international’ children’s piece produced in New England and fulfilled a commission from the Purcell School in association with the Vaughan-Williams Trust as part of their centenary celebrations to mark the birth of Sir William Walton. In 2005 he completed a commission to write a ballet based on the novel ‘The Trumpet Major’ by Thomas Hardy.
He has recently become a BIFF adjudicator and also lectures part time for the WEA.
Gemma Morsley (Carmen)
Gemma gained a degree in Performing Arts and Music from Middlesex University, initially embarking on a career in musicals, revue and cabaret, and now studies opera with David Barrell. Operatic roles include Flora in The Merry Opera Company’s burlesque production of La traviata (UK and Malaysian tours), Maddalena in Rigoletto for Opera Loki (France and UK tours), Second Lady in The Magic Flute at Zeist Opera Festival, Netherlands, and more recently with Oyster Opera at St John’s Smith Square. She also sang Dorabella in their production of Cosi fan tutte at Jacksons Lane Theatre directed by Fraser Grant, as well as appearing with them in their production of L’elisir d’amore and opera galas. Chorus work includes Opera Holland Park, The G&S Opera Company in Buxton, and most recently English Voices at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. Future plans include a return to Merry Opera to sing in their staged Messiah tour later this Autumn.
Gemma gained a degree in Performing Arts and Music from Middlesex University, initially embarking on a career in musicals, revue and cabaret, and now studies opera with David Barrell. Operatic roles include Flora in The Merry Opera Company’s burlesque production of La traviata (UK and Malaysian tours), Maddalena in Rigoletto for Opera Loki (France and UK tours), Second Lady in The Magic Flute at Zeist Opera Festival, Netherlands, and more recently with Oyster Opera at St John’s Smith Square. She also sang Dorabella in their production of Cosi fan tutte at Jacksons Lane Theatre directed by Fraser Grant, as well as appearing with them in their production of L’elisir d’amore and opera galas. Chorus work includes Opera Holland Park, The G&S Opera Company in Buxton, and most recently English Voices at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. Future plans include a return to Merry Opera to sing in their staged Messiah tour later this Autumn.
Anna Goodhew (Micaëla)
Anna studied singing at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She achieved a BMus (1st class honours) with a Concert Recital Diploma in 2010 and won a scholarship to continue onto the Guildhall Artist Masters the following year. Whilst there, Anna took part in masterclasses taken by Julius Drake, Graham Johnson, Catherine Wyn Rogers, Dame Josephine Barstow, Sally Burgess, Graham Clark and Susan McCollogh. Awards include the Singer’s Prize at the Gerald Moore Award (2012), 2nd Prize at Guildhall’s English song Prize (2011) and finalist in Guildhall’s Susan Longfield Award (2011).
Anna made her operatic debut at the age of 19, singing the role of Barbarina in Opera Brava’s production of The Marriage of Figaro. Since then she has appeared as Juliet in Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet (Riverside Opera), Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Euridice in Glück’s Orfeo ed Euridice and the title role of Massenet’s Cendrillon (Act 3 only) at Zêzere Arts Festival, Portugal and Blumenmädchen in Parsifal (Fulham Opera). Roles performed with Guildhall’s Opera Ensemble include Fiordiligi in Cosí Fan Tutte, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Title role in Arabella and First Lady in Die Zauberflöte.
Anna is in high demand for concert work; performances of note include Jonathan Miller’s staged production of St Matthew Passion at The National Theatre and song a recital of Mozart song in the Barbican Hall. Other concert work includes Handel’s Theodora, Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, Michal in Handel’s Saul, Dvorak Mass in D and Lad’s in their Hundreds; a dramatised song performance directed by Iain Burnside which toured in London and to the Ludlow English Song Festival. Anna has sung live several times on BBC radio 3’s In Tune programme.)
Anna studied singing at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She achieved a BMus (1st class honours) with a Concert Recital Diploma in 2010 and won a scholarship to continue onto the Guildhall Artist Masters the following year. Whilst there, Anna took part in masterclasses taken by Julius Drake, Graham Johnson, Catherine Wyn Rogers, Dame Josephine Barstow, Sally Burgess, Graham Clark and Susan McCollogh. Awards include the Singer’s Prize at the Gerald Moore Award (2012), 2nd Prize at Guildhall’s English song Prize (2011) and finalist in Guildhall’s Susan Longfield Award (2011).
Anna made her operatic debut at the age of 19, singing the role of Barbarina in Opera Brava’s production of The Marriage of Figaro. Since then she has appeared as Juliet in Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet (Riverside Opera), Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Euridice in Glück’s Orfeo ed Euridice and the title role of Massenet’s Cendrillon (Act 3 only) at Zêzere Arts Festival, Portugal and Blumenmädchen in Parsifal (Fulham Opera). Roles performed with Guildhall’s Opera Ensemble include Fiordiligi in Cosí Fan Tutte, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Title role in Arabella and First Lady in Die Zauberflöte.
Anna is in high demand for concert work; performances of note include Jonathan Miller’s staged production of St Matthew Passion at The National Theatre and song a recital of Mozart song in the Barbican Hall. Other concert work includes Handel’s Theodora, Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, Michal in Handel’s Saul, Dvorak Mass in D and Lad’s in their Hundreds; a dramatised song performance directed by Iain Burnside which toured in London and to the Ludlow English Song Festival. Anna has sung live several times on BBC radio 3’s In Tune programme.)
Chris Elliott (Don Jose)
Chris's career to-date has spanned the UK, Europe and America. Over the last several years has been a young artist for the Edinburgh International Festival's Programme Development department, which has seen him take the lead male role in their critically acclaimed Love in A…, Ghosts in A.. and Escaping War site-specific performances, in addition to having performed over 100 outreach concerts for them. With experience of operatic roles including Tito, Don Ottavio, Bill (Flight), Albert, Alfredo, Fenton, Rinuccio, Nadir, Rudolfo, Tom Rakewell, Lenski, & Male Chorus, Chris is delighted to be making his debut in the role of Don José with Opera South East. He is an alumnus of the RSAMD Opera School, where he gained a “student with outstanding potential” award by Scottish Opera, and won the John Ireland Song Prize. Opera Now Magazine also chose him for their annual “Who's Hot?” feature as one of their 50 most promising young artists worldwide. He feels very fortunate both to continue his studies with Arthur Levy in New York, and to be mentored by his former teacher, the legendary tenor Nicolai Gedda. A Crear Scholar, he has participated in week-long residential Masterclasses with Roger Vignoles in Austria, and with Malcolm Martineau in Scotland. Having previously worked with renowned American composer Lori Laitman who wrote a song cycle for him that he performed in Italy in 2012, Chris is very excited to now be working on a new solo work with New York-based Mohammed Fairouz, one of the most frequently performed, commissioned, and recorded young composers of his generation. Next spring Chris will perform a concert of art songs settings of Byron, Keats & Shelley poetry in the Palazzo di Cavalieri di Malta in Rome, in association with the Keats-Shelley House Museum and in the presence of the British Ambassador and the Prince and Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St John, of Rhodes
Chris's career to-date has spanned the UK, Europe and America. Over the last several years has been a young artist for the Edinburgh International Festival's Programme Development department, which has seen him take the lead male role in their critically acclaimed Love in A…, Ghosts in A.. and Escaping War site-specific performances, in addition to having performed over 100 outreach concerts for them. With experience of operatic roles including Tito, Don Ottavio, Bill (Flight), Albert, Alfredo, Fenton, Rinuccio, Nadir, Rudolfo, Tom Rakewell, Lenski, & Male Chorus, Chris is delighted to be making his debut in the role of Don José with Opera South East. He is an alumnus of the RSAMD Opera School, where he gained a “student with outstanding potential” award by Scottish Opera, and won the John Ireland Song Prize. Opera Now Magazine also chose him for their annual “Who's Hot?” feature as one of their 50 most promising young artists worldwide. He feels very fortunate both to continue his studies with Arthur Levy in New York, and to be mentored by his former teacher, the legendary tenor Nicolai Gedda. A Crear Scholar, he has participated in week-long residential Masterclasses with Roger Vignoles in Austria, and with Malcolm Martineau in Scotland. Having previously worked with renowned American composer Lori Laitman who wrote a song cycle for him that he performed in Italy in 2012, Chris is very excited to now be working on a new solo work with New York-based Mohammed Fairouz, one of the most frequently performed, commissioned, and recorded young composers of his generation. Next spring Chris will perform a concert of art songs settings of Byron, Keats & Shelley poetry in the Palazzo di Cavalieri di Malta in Rome, in association with the Keats-Shelley House Museum and in the presence of the British Ambassador and the Prince and Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St John, of Rhodes
Mike Barber (Escamillo)
This is Mike's third production for OSE and he is really looking forward to it. Carmen was the first ever production that mike sang in for Eastbourne operatic many moons ago. It was the opera that started Mike singing. He was envious of the singer playing Escamillo at that time ... the wheel has turned! Mike began singing about 15 years ago and now sings regularly in shows, restaurants and hotels, most recently at his sons wedding.
Mike has also done a great deal of acting, playing many lead roles in shows such as Oklahoma, Fiddler on the roof, South Pacific to name a few and many Shakespeare roles including Oberon and Petruchio both of which he played twice. A Midsummer Nights Dream being his favourite. A few years ago Mike did a professional tour of Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors.
Mike will again be at his professional best for OSE but always lurking underneath is a wicked sense of humour and a long list of bad jokes!
This is Mike's third production for OSE and he is really looking forward to it. Carmen was the first ever production that mike sang in for Eastbourne operatic many moons ago. It was the opera that started Mike singing. He was envious of the singer playing Escamillo at that time ... the wheel has turned! Mike began singing about 15 years ago and now sings regularly in shows, restaurants and hotels, most recently at his sons wedding.
Mike has also done a great deal of acting, playing many lead roles in shows such as Oklahoma, Fiddler on the roof, South Pacific to name a few and many Shakespeare roles including Oberon and Petruchio both of which he played twice. A Midsummer Nights Dream being his favourite. A few years ago Mike did a professional tour of Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors.
Mike will again be at his professional best for OSE but always lurking underneath is a wicked sense of humour and a long list of bad jokes!
René Bloice-Sanders (Dancairo/Morales)
René’s vocal training began as a treble in Canterbury Cathedral Choir and he has never looked back, becoming a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain shortly after his voice broke. He graduated from The University of Nottingham with a BA (Hons) in 2010, where he performed regularly with a number of choirs in the East Midlands, including Schola Cantorum of St Barnabas' Cathedral, and as a member of Opsoc, the University Opera Society. In September 2011 René began a postgraduate in Vocal Performance at the Royal Academy of Music and studied under the tutelage of Ryland and the in-demand vocal coach Audrey Hyland. He was awarded the Nora Carstairs Bland Award 2012/2013 and graduated with distinction in June 2013.
On the opera stage René has performed the roles of Orfeo in L'Orfeo, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro and Baron Duphol in La Traviata, operatic scenes as Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Malatesta in Don Pasquale, Taddeo in L'Italiana in Algeri, Guglielmo and Don Alfonso in Cosi Fan Tutte and Mercurio in La Calisto, and his concert work has included Bach’s Johannes and Matthaus Passion, Brahms’ A German Requiem, Handel’'s Messiah, Monteverdi’s Vespers, Mozart’s Requiem, Duruflé’s Requiem and Stainer’s The Crucifixion.
Whilst he enjoys these large ensemble solo settings he also has a passion for song cycles, of which he has performed Beethoven’s An Die Ferne Geliebte, Butterworth’s A Shropshire Lad and Vaughan-Williams’ Songs of Travel. Upcoming performances include Bass soloist in Handel's Messiah, staged performances of Handel's Messiah and the role of Figaro in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia with The Merry Opera Company. René is grateful to The Josephine Baker Trust, The Clive Pare Memorial Fund, The Seary Trust and The Ruby and Will George Trust for their generous support.
René’s vocal training began as a treble in Canterbury Cathedral Choir and he has never looked back, becoming a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain shortly after his voice broke. He graduated from The University of Nottingham with a BA (Hons) in 2010, where he performed regularly with a number of choirs in the East Midlands, including Schola Cantorum of St Barnabas' Cathedral, and as a member of Opsoc, the University Opera Society. In September 2011 René began a postgraduate in Vocal Performance at the Royal Academy of Music and studied under the tutelage of Ryland and the in-demand vocal coach Audrey Hyland. He was awarded the Nora Carstairs Bland Award 2012/2013 and graduated with distinction in June 2013.
On the opera stage René has performed the roles of Orfeo in L'Orfeo, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro and Baron Duphol in La Traviata, operatic scenes as Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Malatesta in Don Pasquale, Taddeo in L'Italiana in Algeri, Guglielmo and Don Alfonso in Cosi Fan Tutte and Mercurio in La Calisto, and his concert work has included Bach’s Johannes and Matthaus Passion, Brahms’ A German Requiem, Handel’'s Messiah, Monteverdi’s Vespers, Mozart’s Requiem, Duruflé’s Requiem and Stainer’s The Crucifixion.
Whilst he enjoys these large ensemble solo settings he also has a passion for song cycles, of which he has performed Beethoven’s An Die Ferne Geliebte, Butterworth’s A Shropshire Lad and Vaughan-Williams’ Songs of Travel. Upcoming performances include Bass soloist in Handel's Messiah, staged performances of Handel's Messiah and the role of Figaro in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia with The Merry Opera Company. René is grateful to The Josephine Baker Trust, The Clive Pare Memorial Fund, The Seary Trust and The Ruby and Will George Trust for their generous support.
Hiroshi Kanazawa (Le Remendado)
Hiroshi read Russian literature at Waseda University, Tokyo. After leaving Waseda, he came to Britain and started his vocal training at Trinity College of Music and subsequently at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. He was awarded MMus from Sussex University. He then went to France to study with Edith Selig at École Normale de Musique de Paris. He has won Wilfred Greenhouse Allt Prize, Madam Mimi Scharrer Memorial Cup and Lord Blanesburgh Vocal Challenge Cup. Though he was trained as a baritone, he has switched to a tenor. He now studies with Penny Jenkins.
The Observer nominated the Trinity’s production of Monteverdi’s Orfeo, where Hiroshi sang the title role, among the Classical Top Ten of the Year. Also, Opera magazine wrote, “Hiroshi Kanazawa sang a formidable Ariodate” in the performance of Xerxes at Llantilio Festival.
The conductors he has worked with include Kenneth Roberts, David Angus, Charles Farncombe, Lionel Friend and Victor Morris. Last year he made a debut with Opera South East as Yamadori (Madam Butterfly). Also, he participated in The Fairy Queen, and Dido and Aeneas double bill by Barefoot Opera.
Hiroshi read Russian literature at Waseda University, Tokyo. After leaving Waseda, he came to Britain and started his vocal training at Trinity College of Music and subsequently at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. He was awarded MMus from Sussex University. He then went to France to study with Edith Selig at École Normale de Musique de Paris. He has won Wilfred Greenhouse Allt Prize, Madam Mimi Scharrer Memorial Cup and Lord Blanesburgh Vocal Challenge Cup. Though he was trained as a baritone, he has switched to a tenor. He now studies with Penny Jenkins.
The Observer nominated the Trinity’s production of Monteverdi’s Orfeo, where Hiroshi sang the title role, among the Classical Top Ten of the Year. Also, Opera magazine wrote, “Hiroshi Kanazawa sang a formidable Ariodate” in the performance of Xerxes at Llantilio Festival.
The conductors he has worked with include Kenneth Roberts, David Angus, Charles Farncombe, Lionel Friend and Victor Morris. Last year he made a debut with Opera South East as Yamadori (Madam Butterfly). Also, he participated in The Fairy Queen, and Dido and Aeneas double bill by Barefoot Opera.
Barnaby Beer (Zuniga)
Barnaby read French and German at University of Bristol and was a Choral Scholar ar Bristol Cathedral throughout his university career. Barnaby continued his strong interest in music by participating in many university performances, including a fully staged production of Cosi fan Tutte, in which he performed the role of Don Alfonso. Barnaby has just completed the Certificate of Higher Education: Opera Performance at Birkbeck College, where he performed scenes from L’incoronazione di Poppea, Monteverdi, Don Giovanni, Mozart, Pelleas et Melisande and Greek (Mark-Anthony Turnage), worked with directors William Relton, Caroline Gawn and Michael Moxam and conductors Philip Headlam and Ian Page. During his Gap Year, as part of the Leonardo da Vinci Exchange Programme, he sang with the Hamburg State Opera Chorus. Barnaby has also recorded professionally for both EMI Classics and BBC Radio 3. Locally, Barnaby made his operatic debut in May 2009 in the role of Marco.
Barnaby read French and German at University of Bristol and was a Choral Scholar ar Bristol Cathedral throughout his university career. Barnaby continued his strong interest in music by participating in many university performances, including a fully staged production of Cosi fan Tutte, in which he performed the role of Don Alfonso. Barnaby has just completed the Certificate of Higher Education: Opera Performance at Birkbeck College, where he performed scenes from L’incoronazione di Poppea, Monteverdi, Don Giovanni, Mozart, Pelleas et Melisande and Greek (Mark-Anthony Turnage), worked with directors William Relton, Caroline Gawn and Michael Moxam and conductors Philip Headlam and Ian Page. During his Gap Year, as part of the Leonardo da Vinci Exchange Programme, he sang with the Hamburg State Opera Chorus. Barnaby has also recorded professionally for both EMI Classics and BBC Radio 3. Locally, Barnaby made his operatic debut in May 2009 in the role of Marco.
Julia Bovee (Frasquita)
Julia has been singing with Opera South East for the past ten years. She has been cast in many principal roles over the last few years with some of her favourites being Clorinda in La Cenerentola, Anna in Nabucco and Diana in Orpheus in the Underworld. She is thrilled to have been cast as Frasquita enabling her to release her inner gypsy! She is also the company's costume designer and maker. She works as a freelance music engraver and book designer and studies singing locally with Elizabeth Ramsay.
Julia has been singing with Opera South East for the past ten years. She has been cast in many principal roles over the last few years with some of her favourites being Clorinda in La Cenerentola, Anna in Nabucco and Diana in Orpheus in the Underworld. She is thrilled to have been cast as Frasquita enabling her to release her inner gypsy! She is also the company's costume designer and maker. She works as a freelance music engraver and book designer and studies singing locally with Elizabeth Ramsay.
Lesley Moore (Mercédès)
Mercedes is Lesley’s second role with Opera South East, having played Kate in Madame Butterfly. Lesley has sung principal roles with many other local groups, including Battle Light Opera Group, Winchelsea Singers, Rye Singers and Simply Opera. She has played virtually all of the Gilbert & Sullivan soprano leads (most several times), and other light opera and operatic principal roles include Majenka in The Bartered Bride, Rosalinda and Adele in Die Fledermaus, Michaela in Carmen, Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Anna and Valencienne in The Merry Widow, Gretel in Hansel & Gretel, Helene in La Belle Helene, Saffi in The Gypsy Baron, Juliette in Count of Luxembourg, Despina in Cosi fan tutte and Suzanne in Bless the Bride, and as well as Frumah Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof and Katisha in The Mikado. Lesley is an oratorio soloist and she has also performed in many recitals and cabarets, and in OSE concerts. She studied singing with Molly Townson, was awarded the ABRSM Diploma in Singing Performance and won the Singing Gold Medal at Hastings Musical Festival in 2005.
Mercedes is Lesley’s second role with Opera South East, having played Kate in Madame Butterfly. Lesley has sung principal roles with many other local groups, including Battle Light Opera Group, Winchelsea Singers, Rye Singers and Simply Opera. She has played virtually all of the Gilbert & Sullivan soprano leads (most several times), and other light opera and operatic principal roles include Majenka in The Bartered Bride, Rosalinda and Adele in Die Fledermaus, Michaela in Carmen, Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Anna and Valencienne in The Merry Widow, Gretel in Hansel & Gretel, Helene in La Belle Helene, Saffi in The Gypsy Baron, Juliette in Count of Luxembourg, Despina in Cosi fan tutte and Suzanne in Bless the Bride, and as well as Frumah Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof and Katisha in The Mikado. Lesley is an oratorio soloist and she has also performed in many recitals and cabarets, and in OSE concerts. She studied singing with Molly Townson, was awarded the ABRSM Diploma in Singing Performance and won the Singing Gold Medal at Hastings Musical Festival in 2005.
Anya Rose Moore (Flamenco Dancer)
Anya is currently a student of the inspirational teacher and dancer Helena Benge and has performed several times in the Hastings area.
Anya is currently a student of the inspirational teacher and dancer Helena Benge and has performed several times in the Hastings area.
Early rehearsal photos
Sitzprobe with the Sussex Concert Orchestra and Anna Goodhew in full flow for her scene-stealing 3rd Act aria, Monday 20 October 2014
Tech rehearsal, Tuesday 21 October
So out of date already - we've had two dress rehearsal since, with full orchestra, and now the productions themselves (no photos!)
NODA
A summary version of the review by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association is here:
https://www.noda.org.uk/events/reports/carmen_5
https://www.noda.org.uk/events/reports/carmen_5