OSE
  • Home
  • About us
    • Overview of OSE
    • Early Stage Performances
    • Pre-Opera Years
    • Hastings Opera
    • Opera South East
    • OSE Awards
    • Audience Comments
  • Join us
    • Join our Events mailing list
    • Get involved in OSE >
      • Members information
    • Join our chorus
    • Join our back-stage crew
    • Renew (or join) OSE Membership
    • Join our Auditions mailing list
  • Support us
    • Ways to help us
    • OSE Friends
    • OSE Angel
    • OSE Benefactor
    • OSE Sponsors
    • Support OSE with Gift Aid
  • Contact us
  • Last production
  • Past productions
    • All past productions
    • 2023 Carmen
    • 2022 The Mikado
    • 2019 La Traviata
    • 2018 Eugene Onegin
    • 2017 The Magic Flute
    • 2016 Macbeth
    • 2015 Il Trovatore
    • 2014 Carmen
    • 2013 Madam Butterfly
    • 2011 Pinafore
    • (more pages coming but it'll take a while to get back to 1980!)
  • Recent events
  • Links
  • Members area
    • Who's who in OSE
    • Rehearsal tracks >
      • Onegin rehearsal tracks
      • Merrie England rehearsal tracks
  • Committee area
    • Policies, job specs, ...
    • Meeting minutes/actions
    • Production checklist
    • Concert checklist
    • Event plans
    • Future planning
    • Development areas
    • Press contacts
    • Local network
    • Email, website, IT
    • Combined event checklist
    • Salesforce procedures
  • Rehearsal dates

Welcome to Opera South East

   Opera South East, based in Hastings, is one of the few companies in the south east regularly performing opera with full orchestra and chorus.
   We attract established singers and musicians as well as young professional performers at the start of their career.
   At its heart is a chorus of enthusiastic and friendly amateur singers under professional music and artistic direction.
   We welcome new members of all ages interested in any aspect of opera performance, be that on or off stage.

Join us...

Not live page! Just notes to save re-typing


ACT I
Courtyard of Ko-Ko's Official Residence 
Gentlemen of the fictitious Japanese town of Titipu are gathered ("If you want to know who we are"). A handsome but poor minstrel, Nanki-Poo, arrives and introduces himself ("A wand'ring minstrel I"). He inquires about his beloved, a schoolgirl called Yum-Yum, who is a ward of Ko-Ko (formerly a cheap tailor). One of the gentlemen, Pish-Tush, explains that when the Mikado decreed that flirting was a capital crime, the Titipu authorities frustrated the decree by appointing Ko-Ko, a prisoner condemned to death for flirting, to the post of Lord High Executioner ("Our great Mikado, virtuous man"). As Ko-Ko was the next prisoner scheduled to be decapitated, the town authorities reasoned that he could "not cut off another's head until he cut his own off", and since Ko-Ko was not likely to try to execute himself, no executions could take place. However, all of the town's officials except the haughty nobleman, Pooh-Bah, proved too proud to serve under an ex-tailor, and they resigned. Pooh-Bah now holds all their posts and collects all their salaries. Pooh-Bah informs Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum is scheduled to marry Ko-Ko on the very day that he has returned ("Young man, despair").
Ko-Ko enters ("Behold the Lord High Executioner") and asserts himself by reading off a list of people "who would not be missed" if they were executed ("As some day it may happen"), such as people "who eat peppermint and puff it in your face". Yum-Yum appears with Ko-Ko's other two wards, Peep-Bo and Pitti-Sing ("Comes a train of little ladies", "Three little maids from school"). Pooh-Bah does not think that the girls have shown him enough respect ("So please you, sir"). Nanki-Poo arrives and informs Ko-Ko of his love for Yum-Yum. Ko-Ko sends him away, but Nanki-Poo manages to meet with his beloved and reveals his secret to Yum-Yum: he is the son and heir of the Mikado, but travels in disguise to avoid the amorous advances of Katisha, an elderly lady of his father's court. They lament that the law forbids them to flirt ("Were you not to Ko-Ko plighted").
Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah receive news that the Mikado has just decreed that unless an execution is carried out in Titipu within a month, the town will be reduced to the rank of a village, which would bring "irretrievable ruin". Pooh-Bah and Pish-Tush point to Ko-Ko himself as the obvious choice for beheading, since he was already under sentence of death ("I am so proud"). Ko-Ko argues, however, that, firstly, it would be "extremely difficult, not to say dangerous", for someone to attempt their own beheading, and secondly, it would be suicide, which is a capital offence. Fortuitously, Ko-Ko discovers that Nanki-Poo, in despair over losing Yum-Yum, is preparing to commit suicide. After ascertaining that nothing would change Nanki-Poo's mind, Ko-Ko makes a bargain with him: Nanki-Poo may marry Yum-Yum for one month if, at the end of that time, he allows himself to be executed. Ko-Ko would then marry the young widow.
Everyone arrives to celebrate Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum's union ("With aspect stern and gloomy stride"), but the festivities are interrupted by the arrival of Katisha, who has come to claim Nanki-Poo as her husband. However, the townspeople are sympathetic to the young couple, and Katisha's attempts to reveal Nanki-Poo's secret are drowned out by the shouting of the crowd. Outwitted but not defeated, Katisha makes it clear that she intends to get vengeance.
ACT II
Ko-Ko's Garden.
Yum-Yum is being prepared by her friends for her wedding ("Braid the raven hair"), after which she muses on her own beauty ("The sun whose rays"). Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo return to remind her of the limited duration of her impending union. Joined by Nanki-Poo and Pish-Tush, they try to keep their spirits up ("Brightly dawns our wedding-day"), but soon Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah enter to inform them of a twist in the law that states that when a married man is beheaded for flirting, his wife must be buried alive ("Here's a how-de-do"). Yum-Yum is unwilling to marry under these circumstances, and so Nanki-Poo challenges Ko-Ko to behead him on the spot. It turns out, however, that the soft-hearted Ko-Ko has never executed anyone and cannot execute Nanki-Poo. Ko-Ko instead sends Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum away to be wed (by Pooh-Bah, as Archbishop of Titipu), promising to present to the Mikado a false affidavit in evidence of the fictitious execution.
     "His teeth, I've enacted, 
       Shall all be extracted 
       By terrified amateurs." 


The Mikado and Katisha arrive in Titipu accompanied by a large procession ("Mi-ya Sa-Ma", "From Every Kind of Man"). The Mikado describes his system of justice ("A more humane Mikado"). Ko-Ko assumes that the ruler has come to see whether an execution has been carried out. Aided by Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah, he graphically describes the supposed execution ("The criminal cried") and hands the Mikado the certificate of death, signed and sworn to by Pooh-Bah as coroner. Ko-Ko notes slyly that most of the town's important officers (that is, Pooh-Bah) were present at the ceremony. However, the Mikado has come about an entirely different matter; he is searching for his son. When they hear that the Mikado's son "goes by the name of Nanki-Poo", the three panic, and Ko-Ko says that Nanki-Poo "has gone abroad". Meanwhile, Katisha is reading the death certificate and notes with horror that the person executed was Nanki-Poo. The Mikado, though expressing understanding and sympathy ("See How the Fates"), discusses with Katisha the statutory punishment "for compassing the death of the heir apparent" to the Imperial throne – something lingering, "with boiling oil ... or melted lead". With the three conspirators facing painful execution, Ko-Ko pleads with Nanki-Poo to reveal himself to his father. Nanki-Poo fears that Katisha will demand his execution if she finds he is alive, but he suggests that if Katisha could be persuaded to marry Ko-Ko, then Nanki-Poo could safely "come to life again", as Katisha would have no claim on him ("The flowers that bloom in the spring"). Though Katisha is "something appalling", Ko-Ko has no choice: it is marriage to Katisha, or a painful death for himself, Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah.

Ko-Ko finds Katisha mourning her loss ("Alone, and yet alive") and throws himself on her mercy. He begs for her hand in marriage, saying that he has long harboured a passion for her. Katisha initially rebuffs him, but is soon moved by his story of a bird who died of heartbreak ("Tit-willow"). She agrees ("There is beauty in the bellow of the blast") and, once the ceremony is performed (by Pooh-Bah, the Registrar), she begs for the Mikado's mercy for him and his accomplices. Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum then reappear, sparking Katisha's fury. The Mikado is astonished that Nanki-Poo is alive, as the account of his execution had been given with such "affecting particulars". Ko-Ko explains that when a royal command for an execution is given, the victim is, legally speaking, as good as dead, "and if he is dead, why not say so?" The Mikado deems that "Nothing could possibly be more satisfactory", and everyone in Titipu celebrates ("For he's gone and married Yum-Yum").

Join our mailing list

If you would like to be advised of our next production dates by email then please add (or remove) yourself from our performance mailing list by entering your email address here - apologies this list control is broken. Please email the Secretary to have  :
Our Performance Mailing List for potential audience member

Subscribe Unsubscribe
Ticket price for both venues £10, and can be available on the door or reserved in advance from ​Winchelsea Farm Kitchen and Second Spin:
  • Winchelsea Farm Kitchen
    11-12 High Street Winchelsea, TN36 4EA 01797 226287
  • Second Spin
    14 Sackville Road Bexhill on Sea, TN39 3JL 01424 210894
  • or call 01424 425028
​“A Rollicking Romp” - Gilbert and Sullivan
is taking place over three consecutive evenings in September, at Winchelsea, Battle and Bexhill: -
  • Friday 20th September 2019, at 7pm
    at St Thomas the Martyr, Winchelsea
  • Saturday 21st September 2019, at 7pm
    Emmanuel Centre, Marley Lane, Battle
  • Sunday 22nd September 2019, at 7pm
    Manor Barn, Bexhill
Tickets: £10 in advance; £12 on the door
Tickets available from:
  • Winchelsea Farm Kitchen
    11-12 High Street Winchelsea, TN36 4EA 01797 226287
  • The Emmanuel Centre
    Harrier Lane Battle, TN33 0FL 01424 777029
  • Second Spin
    14 Sackville Road Bexhill on Sea, TN39 3JL 01424 210894
  • or from Gillian on 01424 425028
Rehearsal schedule (chorus rehearsals are for information for Principals):
Some 2017 chorus rehearsals to be in the evenings
​Sun 15-Oct-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm/4pm-5pm
​Sun 22-Oct-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm Nigel TBC
Sun 05-Nov-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm/4pm-5pm
Sun 19-Nov-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm - Nigel TBC

Sun 03-Dec-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 10-Dec-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 17-Dec-17 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 07-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm - Nigel TBC
Sun 14-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 21-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 28-Jan-18 - Chorus-only music rehearsal - 2pm-3:45pm
Sun 04-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 11-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 18-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 25-Feb-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 04-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 11-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm

Weekday evening TBC - Chorus-only music rehearsals will be added
Sun 18-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm - Nigel TBC
Sun 25-Mar-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm - Nigel TBC

[Sun 01-Apr-18 - Easter Sunday]
Further Principal daytime /evening rehearsals TBC over next 3 weeks
Sun 08-Apr-18 - Orchestral rehearsal - morning
Sun 08-Apr-18 - Production rehearsal - 1pm-5pm
Sun 15-Apr-18 - Hell Sunday - 4pm-10pm
Mon 16-Apr-18 - Sitzprobe rehearsal - 7.15pm-10.15pm
Tue 17-Apr-18 - Technical rehearsal - 6pm-10:00pm
Wed 18-Apr-18 - Dress rehearsal 1 - 6pm-10:00pm
Thu 19-Apr-18 - Dress rehearsal 2 - 6pm-10:00pm

Fri 20-Apr-18 - Production night 1 - 6pm-10:30pm 
(7.30pm curtain-up)
Sat 21-Apr-18 - Production night 2 - 6pm-10:30pm (7.30pm curtain-up)
  • ​Sunday 6th December 2015 - OSE Carol Concert, St Clements Church, Swan Terrace/High Street, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 3ES, starting at 6:30pm and lasting until approx 7:45pm.
    An evening of seasonal music and carols with audience participation. Kenneth Roberts conducting, with Nigel Howard as organist.  Featuring a children's choir from Claremont School, and the results of their musical carol composition competition with its premier performance by OSE on the night. 
    Tickets: priced at £8. Free entry for each accompanied under-16 year old.  Available in advance from Imagen Gallery, 20 Claremont, Hastings or from the door on the night.
Past events can be found here, and we've also been performing at several private events, and provided choirs for weddings. New members of the choir are most welcome.

Concert rehearsals for OSE Concert in aid of HVRAB

This is an important concert for us as it effectively pays for our use of the Taplin Centre throughout the year for our rehearsals as it is our way of thanking Hastings & Rother Voluntary Association for the Blind :)
  • Tues 12th May rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
  • Tues 19th May rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
  • Sun 24th May 2.30pm rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
  • Mon June 1st rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
  • Sun 7th June 2.30pm rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
  • Sun 21st June 6.30pm rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
  • Thurs 25th June rehearsal (Taplin Centre)
  • Sun 28th June - Afternoon Rehearsal & Concert performance (St Clements Church)
Verdi's Il Trovatore by Opera South East! 
  • Performances on Friday 24th & Saturday 25 April 2015
  • Auditions for principal roles on 14 December
  • Chorus music rehearsals start on Sun 25th January at 2:30pm - Please Join us!...
Please pass this news on!
Picture

 

Picture
Orpheus in the Underworld, 2012

Reviews

  • "Thank you for a memorable evening. The orchestra and production were outstanding, the staging and costumes very well thought out and so interesting to see elements of Kabuki on stage, wonderful principals..."
  • ”“First class performances by all of the cast left us all tingling with emotion.” (Audience members – Madame Butterfly)
  • “one of the most engaging and satisfying performances of La Cenerentola that I have ever seen...” (Words and Music – La Cenerentola)
  • “a company that has esprit de corps and can deliver first class opera” (Hastings Observer – Don Giovanni)
  • “a resounding success...tumultuous applause, standing ovations” (Schwerte Zeitung – Macbeth)
  • “I’ve laughed so much I need to go home to change my pants.” (Audience member – Orpheus in the Underworld)

Selected past events

Picture
Orpheus in the Underworld, 2012
Picture
Poster for our latest production - Carmen, 2014

Forthcoming OSE events

Join us for our various upcoming events... and keep the dates free in your diary!
  • Sunday 7th December 2014 - 'Christmas is Coming' -
    OSE Carol Concert
    , St Clements Church, Swan Terrace/High Street, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 3ES, at 6pm for an evening of seasonal music and carols with audience participation. Kenneth Roberts conducting, with Nigel Howard as organist. In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.  Seasonal refreshments available.  Tickets at £8 (£7 for concessions) from either: -
    - Imagen Gallery, 20 Claremont Street, Hastings, TN34 1HA, or
    - Hastings Information Centre, Aquila House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 3UY
  • Sunday 14 December 2014 - Auditions for Il Trovatore
  • Saturday 24 January 2015 - Holocaust Memorial Concert at St Mary in the Castle
  • Friday 24 April & Saturday 25 April 2015 - Il Trovatore performances at the White Rock Theatre, Hastings


2pm-3:30pm Sun 11th Jan - OSE Members meeting (upstairs at The Cinque Port Arms)
3:30pm Sun 11th Jan - Il Trovatore screening (Electric Palace Theatre)

Join our mailing list

If you would like to be kept up to date on forthcoming productions and events from OSE then please add (or remove) yourself from our performance mailing list here:
Our Performance Mailing List

Subscribe Unsubscribe
Picture
Some past operas...
Picture
La Traviata, 2004
Picture
Nabucco 2012
Picture
H.M.S. Pinafore, 2011
Picture
Picture
Web hosting kindly provided by Laton Technical

Proudly powered by Weebly