Friday April 7th and Saturday 8th, 2017
Opera South East presents...
The Magic Flute – by W A Mozart
Sung in English with Chorus and Orchestra
Opera South East will be performing Mozart's The Magic Flute with the Sussex Concert Orchestra
at Hastings White Rock Theatre on Friday April 7th and Saturday 8th, 2017 at 7.30pm
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Director: Fraser Grant
Conductor: Kenneth Roberts Mozart’s humanist masterpiece is more popular than ever. It is filled with Freemason symbols and references, and aims to show us the majestic power of art and music, a force that can change people and tame beasts.
All the magic and wonder in this production has been created by a chorus of children, in collaboration with the director and design team. Join us in our wonderful adventure as we explore this timeless masterpiece through the eyes of a child. Don’t miss it. Tickets from the White Rock Theatre at £20, £16 and £12 plus a £1 per ticket booking fee (unless groups of 8 or more, or White Rock Friend). Concessions £2 off. Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult. For ticket holders on either night, there will also be a pre-show talk by the Artistic Director on the Saturday evening at 6pm. This talk by the Director on the Saturday evening has proved a popular event in recent years and will give you an insight into how and why this particular production is presented in the way it is. |
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This production takes on an international flavour, strongly fortified by a local chorus. Making their Opera South East debut are South African Fae Evelyn (The Queen of the Night) American Mark Bonney (Tamino), James Williams (Papageno) and Marina Ivanova (Papagena). Local professionals joining the production include Lucy Ashton (Pamina), Toby Sims (Sarastro) and Jeremy Vinogradov (Monostatos). Also included in the cast are Julia Bovee as First Lady, Philippa Thomas as Second Lady and Karen McInally as Third Lady. The Three Genii are sung by pupils of Claremont Preparatory School.
We are delighted that many young students from Theatre Sense, a Hastings based theatre school and Claremont Preparatory School are joining the cast for this production. All the magic and wonder of this production has been created by the children, in collaboration with the director and design team. The children are at its core, they propel the story forward and introduce us to the magical characters within the opera. It is the perfect introduction to opera, especially for children, so do join us on our wonderful adventure as we explore this timeless masterpiece through the eyes of a child. Don’t miss it. The CastIn order of appearance:
Pre-show talk on Saturday 8th April 2017Fraser Grant, the Artistic Director, will be presenting a pre-show talk before the Saturday evening’s performance. This will be given in the auditorium of the White Rock Theatre at 6pm, and is free of charge to all ticket holders from either night's performance. This has proved a popular event in recent years and will give you an insight into how and why this particular production is presented in the way it is!
Biographies
Fraser Grant
Artistic Director Fraser 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. Fraser has Directed 18 prior operas for Opera South East, as well as many for Oyster Opera, LCMM, Unicorn Theatre, and has been Theatre Director for productions of many plays in the UK and Italy. Amongst his works he has won several awards for Best Production on the Edinburgh Fringe. He also works as a lyricist and translator, frequently collaborating with the cabaret duo Opera Tottie. A fuller biography of Fraser can be found here... |
Audience CommentsAudience reaction of OSE's production of Verdi's Macbeth (April 2016) :-
Booking informationTicket prices:
The White Rock Theatre Box Office is open now!
The Company - The Magic Flute 2017The Sussex Concert Orchestra
Director Fraser Grant Conductor Kenneth Roberts Assistant Musical Director Nigel Howard Stage Manager for White Rock Theatre Adam Harkin Stage Manager for Opera South East Kit Calcott-James Assistant Stage Manager Amelia Calcott-James Deputy Stage Manager Amy Schiwitz Set Construction Karen McInally Lighting Design Fraser Grant Lighting Technician Clifton Hollister Costume Design Julia Bovee Properties Clare Calcott-James, assisted by Amelia Calcott-James Make up and Hair, under the direction of Juliette Vane Production Secretary Greg Solomon Programme John Rycroft Artwork Julia Bovee Programme Consultant Simon Page Printed by Impact Design & Print 
Make a weekend of it in Hastings?There's lots of hotel choice in the area, e.g.
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Kenneth Roberts
Conductor/Musical Director
Kenneth Roberts 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 and has conducted over 250 opera, ballet and other theatrical productions. 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. Between 2001-2011 he worked at the University of New Hampshire, USA, where he directed a new African Musical which he was commissioned to write and also composed music for an award-winning ‘international’ children’s piece. He was also musical director and conductor for Plymouth State University’s Educational Theatre Collaborative. In 2002 he 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 and in 2005 he completed a commission to write a ballet based on the novel The Trumpet Major by Thomas Hardy. In 2010 he also contributed music for the recently published musical version of 'Pollyanna' and also became a BIFF (British and International Federation of Festivals) adjudicator.
His highly acclaimed reduced orchestral arrangements of operatic scores by Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini and others are currently being played all over the world and are available from www.smallscores.com
In between times he has enjoyed giving his series of lecture recitals around the country at music clubs, and on cruise liners on subjects ranging from Mozart to ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton and has just released a CD of piano music entitled ‘Around the World in 80 Minutes’.
A fuller biography of Ken can be found here...
Conductor/Musical Director
Kenneth Roberts 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 and has conducted over 250 opera, ballet and other theatrical productions. 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. Between 2001-2011 he worked at the University of New Hampshire, USA, where he directed a new African Musical which he was commissioned to write and also composed music for an award-winning ‘international’ children’s piece. He was also musical director and conductor for Plymouth State University’s Educational Theatre Collaborative. In 2002 he 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 and in 2005 he completed a commission to write a ballet based on the novel The Trumpet Major by Thomas Hardy. In 2010 he also contributed music for the recently published musical version of 'Pollyanna' and also became a BIFF (British and International Federation of Festivals) adjudicator.
His highly acclaimed reduced orchestral arrangements of operatic scores by Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini and others are currently being played all over the world and are available from www.smallscores.com
In between times he has enjoyed giving his series of lecture recitals around the country at music clubs, and on cruise liners on subjects ranging from Mozart to ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton and has just released a CD of piano music entitled ‘Around the World in 80 Minutes’.
A fuller biography of Ken can be found here...
The Sussex Concert Orchestra will feature a 21 piece band for this production of The Magic Flute
Principal Role Biographies
James Williams
Papageno, a bird-catcher and School Groundsman James was born in London and studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Glenville Hargreaves and Jonathan Papp. Since graduating, James has distinguished himself as a successful artist on the operatic stage as well as in concert and recital. In 2015-16, James completed the trilogy of the Mozart/Da Ponte operas, performing the title role of Don Giovanni, Don Alfonso/Così fan tutte and Il Conte/Le nozze di Figaro in fully-staged productions across the UK with Dulwich Opera Company and Opera Seria, shortly before reprising the role of Don Alfonso in an English version of Così fan tutte as a returning artist for Opera Loki. James will be making his debut with Opera South East in April 2017 as Papageno in their production of Mozart's Magic Flute. |
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Previous roles include: Schaunard/La Bohème (Focus Opera and Lambeth Orchestra), Figaro/Il barbiere di Siviglia (East London Opera), Falke/Die Fledermaus and Aeneas/Dido and Aeneas. In 2015, James was selected for the Georg Solti Accademia, where he received coaching from Richard Bonynge on the study of bel canto arias.
In oratorio, James has performed as baritone soloist in Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium, Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem, Finzi's Et in terra pax, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's The Creation, Mozart's Requiem, and Jonathan Rathbone's Christmas Truce. Song cycles include Die schöne Müllerin, Dichterliebe, Five Mystical Songs, and Songs of Travel. He was awarded the Charles Dibdin Prize at the 2014 John Kerr Award for English Song and First Prize at the Elisabeth Schumann Lieder Competition
In oratorio, James has performed as baritone soloist in Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium, Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem, Finzi's Et in terra pax, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's The Creation, Mozart's Requiem, and Jonathan Rathbone's Christmas Truce. Song cycles include Die schöne Müllerin, Dichterliebe, Five Mystical Songs, and Songs of Travel. He was awarded the Charles Dibdin Prize at the 2014 John Kerr Award for English Song and First Prize at the Elisabeth Schumann Lieder Competition
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Mark Bonney
Tamino, a Prince and Head Boy in love with Princess Pamina Anglo-American tenor Mark Bonney performs in the UK, United States and Europe. His repertoire includes Bach's St. John and St. Matthew Passions and Mass in B Minor, Handel's Messiah and Acis and Galatea, Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, Heinrich Schütz’ St. John Passion (Evangelist), Schumann's Dichterliebe and Vaughan Williams' On Wenlock Edge. Recent stage credits include Aeneas in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, Mengone in Haydn’s Lo Speziale, Bajazet in Handel’s Tamerlano (scenes) and Ulisse in Monteverdi’s Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria (scenes). In addition to pursuing a Masters in Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he is an alumnus of the Franz Schubert Institut, a renowned lieder course in Austria, and the American Bach Soloists Academy in San Francisco. At Guildhall, Mark studies with Gary Coward and is supported by the School Scholarship Fund. Over the past year, he has participated in master classes with Elly Ameling, Olaf Bär, and Emma Kirkby, among others, and has coached with Eugene Asti, Lada Valešová and Nicholas Mulroy. He was previously based in San Francisco, performing as a soloist with the California Bach Society, Chora Nova, the Albany Consort, the San Francisco Bach Choir and as a member of the American Bach Choir and Cappella SF. Mark began his musical training as a treble in the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. He went on to study voice and Political Science at Stanford University and then balanced careers in international development and music for several years before specializing in vocal performance. |
Lucy Ashton
Pamina, object of the noblest and basest of desires - daughter of the Queen of the Night and the Head Girl Lucy graduated from the Royal College of music last summer having studied both the Bachelor of Music and Master of Perfomance Studies qualifications there. Performance roles included Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutee, Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro. Separately a number of soloist concert and oratorio roles have been performed every year since 2013. Living in Battle and am saving funds in order to study further at opera school whilst continuing as Choir mistress of Crowhurst Community choral group and privately teaching singing and piano. Forthcoming Engagements include roles of Belinda in Dido and Aeneas in July in Rye, and the roles of Destino in La Calisto in August for our friends Barefoot Opera. A fuller biography of Lucy can be found here... |
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Fae Evelyn
Queen of the Night (mother) - The Headmistress
Fae is a South African Soprano. In 2008 she graduated with a BMus (summa cum laude) from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. She moved to England in 2009 to undertake an MMus in Solo Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music, under the tuteladge of Sandra Dugdale, which she completed with Distinction.
During her two years in Manchester, Fae performed Geraldine in Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, Valencienne in Lehar’s The Merry Widow, and Second Woman in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. In opera excerpts at the RNCM she played Helena in Paride ed Helena and Iphigenie in Iphigenie en Tauride by Gluck, and Äanchen in Der Freischütz by Weber. She was also a chorus member for productions of Handel’s Belshazzar, Mozart’s La Clemenza Di Tito, and Bizet’s Carmen.
In 2012, Fae moved to London. Highlights of the last two years include playing the title role in Susannah by Floyd, and Rosalinde in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, in the Spring Opera Programme Showcase highlights with Associated Studios. She was a member of the 2013 Holland Park Chorus for Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles, and I gioielli della Madonna by Wolf-Ferrari and singing the role of Second Niece in Britten’s Peter Grimes with Elemental Opera. Additionally, she performed the role of Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze Di Figaro in Associated Studio’s Showcase for the Three Month Intensive Opera Course.
Fae is currently an ENO Extra Chorus Soprano, and is working with Graeme Danby as her principal tutor. This summer, she will be performing as a member of the Grange Park Opera Chorus in Don Quichotte, Massenet, and La Traviata, Verdi.
Queen of the Night (mother) - The Headmistress
Fae is a South African Soprano. In 2008 she graduated with a BMus (summa cum laude) from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. She moved to England in 2009 to undertake an MMus in Solo Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music, under the tuteladge of Sandra Dugdale, which she completed with Distinction.
During her two years in Manchester, Fae performed Geraldine in Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, Valencienne in Lehar’s The Merry Widow, and Second Woman in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. In opera excerpts at the RNCM she played Helena in Paride ed Helena and Iphigenie in Iphigenie en Tauride by Gluck, and Äanchen in Der Freischütz by Weber. She was also a chorus member for productions of Handel’s Belshazzar, Mozart’s La Clemenza Di Tito, and Bizet’s Carmen.
In 2012, Fae moved to London. Highlights of the last two years include playing the title role in Susannah by Floyd, and Rosalinde in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, in the Spring Opera Programme Showcase highlights with Associated Studios. She was a member of the 2013 Holland Park Chorus for Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles, and I gioielli della Madonna by Wolf-Ferrari and singing the role of Second Niece in Britten’s Peter Grimes with Elemental Opera. Additionally, she performed the role of Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze Di Figaro in Associated Studio’s Showcase for the Three Month Intensive Opera Course.
Fae is currently an ENO Extra Chorus Soprano, and is working with Graeme Danby as her principal tutor. This summer, she will be performing as a member of the Grange Park Opera Chorus in Don Quichotte, Massenet, and La Traviata, Verdi.
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Toby Sims Sarastro (father) - Science Professor Toby's unusual career has been a broad and eclectic mix of experiences. Having first sung for Opera South East (then Hastings Opera) in 1982, as Masetto in Don Giovanni, and then extensively for touring opera companies throughout the UK, in 1997 Toby moved to Russia, becoming principal baritone at the State Opera and Ballet Theatre, in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. In 2001, on returning to England he was ordained to the diaconite and later the priesthood of the Russian Orthodox Church, while continuing to sing. He was parish priest at the Greek Church of St Mary Magdalene, St Leonards, before serving for a year at the Holy Trinity, St Sergey Lavra [monastery) in Russia. As Fr Tobias Sims he recorded the part of the priest in the Rachmaninov Liturgy for EMI Classics with the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, under Stephen Cleobury. In 2011 he founded Opera Mayhem, which provides high energy entertainment at two London restaurants. This gorgeous long-haired singer climbed all over the restaurant, up on tables, hanging on to columns, giving us Figaro big time. Trip Adviser: |