The production of When a Man Knows took a step further last week when the director, Ian Caddy, and I visited the Bridewell Theatre for the first time. I have seen productions there, but some years ago; in 2001 I saw Tete a Tete there, giving one of their evenings of short 1-act operas. An evening memorable, partly because in the cast was Damian Thantrey, the baritone who went on to play the title role in my opera Garrett (in fact we were there to hear him for this reason).
Remarkably, Bridewell Theatre is in an old swimming pool, it is a sort of rectangular space and there is a balcony all around the playing area. It will make an admirable abandoned ware-house. There isn't a pit, of course, the band (4 instruments including piano) will be to one side of the stage. The balcony is held up with cast iron pillars, which gives the possibility of actually being able to chain up the male protagonist which is something the libretto calls for.
The dust having settled after 21st August's performance, I have now started the process of revising the opera. This process should taughten in dramatically, but also make some passages clearer for the singers. At least that's the idea at the moment!
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Popular Posts this month
-
What about blowing the box to pieces: composer Eímear Noone on writing for video games, films and TVEímear Noone (Photo: Andy Paradise) Dublin and LA-based composer Eímear Noone is known for her scores for video games, films and TV. She re...
-
Bellini: The Capulets & the Montagues - Brenton Spiteri, Jessica Cale, Masimba Ushe - English Touring Opera, 2025 (Photo: © Richard H...
-
Gimnazija Kranj Symphony Orchestra I get all sorts of mail, people sending my information on concerts and recordings. Everything gets gl...
-
Rebecca Meltzer, Bertie Baigent & Guy Verrall-Withers with the Waterperry Opera Festival team in 2024 The arts administration world is r...
-
The Berlin Singakademie building, designed by Carl Theodor Ottmer, 1825-1827, now Maxim Gorki Theater painting by Eduard Gaertner, 1843 Bach...
-
Mozart: The Magic Flute - Matthew Kellett - Charles Court Opera (Photo: Bill Knight) Mozart: The Magic Flute; Matthew Kellett, Alison Lang...
-
St Nicholas Church, Leipzig Where Bach's St John Passion first performed Bach: St John Passion (1725); Solomon's Knot; Wigmore Hal...
-
Ada Witczyk performing music from the 2023 Růžičková Composition Competition Violinist Ada Witczyk 's new album, New Baroque - Sonatas ...
-
Harry Christophers & The Sixteen in rehearsal - 2024 (Photo: Johnny Millar) Harry Christophers and The Sixteen embark on their 25th Ch...
-
Prokofiev: Overture on Hebrew Themes - Iván Fischer & Budapest Festival Orchestra - Southbank Centre (Photo: Pete Woodhead for the Sout...
No comments:
Post a Comment