I first heard Tippett's opera The Ice Break when it was performed in concert at the Proms in 1990 woth Heather Harper coming out of retirement to sing the role of Nadia (a role she had created) and David Wilson-Johnson demonstrating his versatility by singing both in the Tippett and in Handel's Belshazzar during the same week. The opera really has not been seen much of since, and Tippett's own libretto is very much to blame and it is felt by some to be curious and dated. The setting is very 'contemporary' and nothing has dated so much as Tippett's literary attempts to be contemporary. But I remember being extremely impressed by the power of the music.
Now, Graham Vick and his enterprising Birmingham Opera Company are reviving the piece for a run of performances 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 April 2015 in an inner city warehouse in Birmingham. Graham Vick directs and the conductor is Andrew Gourlay, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and a chorus of 150 singing and acting volunteers drawn from communities across the city. The performance is a promenade style one, taking place in the B12 Warehouse (ticket holders are advised of the exact location on booking). As should be expected from this group, this will be no ordinary performance; the audience is advised that they should be prepared with warm clothes, as it may be cold, and wear suitable footwear. The cast includes Nadine Benjamin in the role of Nadia.
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Popular Posts this month
-
Joyce Di Donato in Act 1 of Handel's Alcina in 2014 with Harry Bicket and the English Concert photo credit Mark Allan/Barbican In ...
-
Kitty Whately (Photo Natalie J Watts) From the Pens of Women is the name that mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately and pianist Simon Lepper ha...
-
Verdi: Un ballo in maschera - Welsh National Opera - (Photo © Bill Cooper) Verdi Un ballo in maschera ; Mary Elizabeth WIlliams, Gwyn...
-
The Sirens' Voice: Magnificent Women London Oriana Choir, Dominic Ellis-Peckham at the Cutty Sark, 21st June 2018 (Photo Kathleen Holm...
-
Faure Requiem , Cantique Jean Racine , Messe Basse ; Schola Cantorum of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, Belgravia Chamber Orchestr...
-
2018 City Music Foundation Artists © Benjamin Ealovega Applications open today (11 February 2019) for artists who wish to become City Mu...
-
Anstruther in the East Neuk of Fife When I lived in Dunfermline, Fife (during the late 1970s) there was something a bit bleak and grim a...
-
The 10th London A Cappella Festival opens on Wednesday 23 January 2019, with four days of performances and workshops at Kings Place and LS...
-
Wissam Boustany & the Pro Youth Philharmonia at Cadogan Hall in 2018 Following its successful inaugural tour last year, Wissam Boust...
-
Saverio dall Rosa: Mozart aged 14 in January 1770 Mozart, Arne, Paisiello, Gluck CPE Bach, Haydn, Leopold Mozart; Chiara Skerath, Jame...

No comments:
Post a Comment