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Wow, Glyndebourne always arrives sooner than you expect – hard to believe we are now three performances in there, with the fourth tonight. Our first opera there is a revival of last season’s production of Don Giovanni. Last year’s performances were conducted by Vladimir Jurowski (we’ll post a video of him talking about the piece soon), but this year Robin Ticciati is at the helm. Here’s a selection of reviews from the opening night.
We have a brand new podcast just out – in a jam-packed edition we talk to OAE Leader Alison Bury about our upcoming A celebration of Handel concert, take the train down to Glyndebourne to get Principal Oboe Anthony Robson’s top CD picks and then come back to London to find out what a day in the life of an Orchestra Chief Executive is like, when we talk to OAE boss Stephen Carpenter. Lastly, with our 25th Anniversary approaching in June, Helen Wallace (who wrote our 21st anniversary book, Spirit of the Orchestra) talks about the origins and history of the OAE. Happy listening!
Thanks to everyone who voted and helped us decided on our Missa Solemnis postcard design. They arrived in our office yesterday and look fantastic – very eye catching. Many of you will find them landing on your doormats soon…
According to our Principal Oboist Tony Robson. In our latest little video we asked players what they thought of Handel and his music. We’re taking our ‘Celebration of Handel’ on tour shortly, starting off in Dartington (29 May), then London (4 June) and Halle, Germany (9 June) before concluding with an all-Handel Night Shift on 24 June.
Some of you may have missed the comment on the post below from Principal Double Bass Chi-chi, so here it is – complete with some pictures of the violin lesson!
“It was a great night out. Marco came to our rehearsal this afternoon, and invited Netty & I back to the restaurant for some nourishment (as nowhere else seemed to be open!). He plied us with cold meats, cheeses, grilled vegetables, vino bianco & rosso, sparkling water, a calorific pud with dollops of cream & a double espresso! Netty felt the least she could do was offer another violin lesson, & promptly taught him his first scale. D major 
”
Members of the Orchestra are currently in Modena, Italy – we’re there with the London Sinfonnietta, giving a performance of Heiner Goebbels’ Songs of Wars I have Seen. Principal Flute Lisa Beznosiuk tells us about their evening:
“We’re in elegant boiling hot Modena, arrived last night.
Last night four of us (Netty, Chi-chi and Shelagh Sutherland ..) walked to one of Pavlo’s (Lisa’s brother) recommended restaurants in Modena and it was excellent…Especially when the young curly haired waiter found out we were musicians. He became very excited, rushed off and came back with a Stentor violin in a big padded case (like the ones you see kids carrying). He’s desperate to learn the violin and had never had a lesson.
So, having finished our steaks, we got it out… all played him a tune. Netty – The Irish Washerwoman, Chi-chi played Campdown Races, I had a go at O Sole Mio and Shelagh achieved a high distinction with her rendition of Mason’s Apron.
Then, to his delight, Netty gave him his first lesson right there in the restaurant in front of us (most people were eating outside). He was SO thrilled and had a wonderful smile on his face as he began producing sounds on his violin. We’ve got photos. He asked if he and his friend could come to our rehearsal today – he can’t make the concert because of waiting in the restaurant.
I had an idea that we should tell musicians (especially violinists) to go and eat there when visiting Modena and give him the odd lesson!”
As we mentioned in our last post, we’re taking our Night Shift to the Village Underground, Shoreditch, on Friday 24 June – a building played in by the Klaxons, Jarvis Cocker and The XX. It should be a fab night and details are available from our Night Shift website. The full programme will be performed before this on 4 June at the Queen Elizabeth Hall- more details here. In the meantime, why not have a read of our speed interview with the soprano Elin Manahan Thomas who’ll be singing some glorious Handel arias on both nights:
What/when was your big breakthrough?
Stepping in on the day for the ill soloist on a Monteverdi Choir tour to sing the Messiah. Nerve-wracking and brilliant.
What do you fear the most?
Flying. Really not helpful when you’re a travelling musician.
Which mobile number do you call the most?
My husband’s. A hundred times more so, now that we have a baby boy and every day feels like a big round of decisions.
What – or where – is perfection?
Home, on the sofa, bags unpacked.
Who is your favourite hero from fiction (book/comic/film/opera) – and why?
Frodo Baggins. I’d have given in to that ring by the end of book one! Read the rest of this entry »
We’ve just had the films developed from our disposable cameras that we dotted around the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer at the last Night Shift event on 4 May. Here’s a few choice ones for you:
For the full set, you can visit our Flickr page where you can also find the official pics, taken by Joe Plommer.
And just a quick reminder that you don’t have long to wait until our next Night Shift- it’s making its debut at the Village Underground, in the heart of Shoreditch on 24 June…more details on our Night Shift website.
Just thought we’d share a very interesting video here, from an event at the Royal Opera House . Conductors Antonio Pappano, Edward Gardner and our Principal Artist Vladimir Jurowski talk to Sir John Tusa about conducting opera and what it takes to be a musical director of a leading opera house. Plus – a little clip is included of us in the pit at Glyndebourne with Vladimir Jurowski conducting. Enjoy!
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