HAMPSTEAD GARDEN OPERA SPRING 2015 PRODUCTION Handel s Xerxes (Serse in the original Italian but we shall sing it in English) is our choice for April 2015. The opera is ostensibly about the disastrous attempt by Xerxes, ruler of Persia from 486 to 465 BC, to invade Greece by building a bridge across the Hellespont, a narrow strait linking the Black Sea to the Aegean but the bridge is a diversion. The opera is really about Xerxes equally disastrous attempt to pinch his brother s girlfriend (at the expense of his royal fiancée Amastris and to the dismay of his brother Arsamenes). The murderous thoughts of a power-crazed tyrant behaving atrociously are never far away; but this is a richly entertaining comedy, albeit dark at times, full of clever twists, appealing characters, gorgeous tunes and great solo roles, and Handel ensures that Xerxes gets his come-uppance. We shall be giving ten performances of Xerxes (five of each cast) between Friday 24 April and Sunday 3 May 2015 at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate Village, N6. The orchestral Sitzprobe will be on Monday 20 April followed by Tech and Dress Rehearsals between April 21 and 23. The opera will be directed by Andrew Davidson, Australianborn Director, Musician and Acting Teacher: and the baroque specialists of Musica Poetica London will be conducted by Richard Hetherington in the temporary absence of Music Director, Oliver-John Ruthven. We shall provide information on vocal scores as soon as we can. PLEASE READ THE WHOLE OF THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY: THERE ARE FIVE PAGES ALTOGETHER AND MUCH MAY BE UNFAMILIAR: YOU CAN T AFFORD TO SKIP A PARAGRAPH, LET ALONE A PAGE! Auditions will be held across four sessions Thursday January 8 from 18.30 to 21.30; Friday January 9 from 18.00 to 21.30; Saturday January 10 between 10.00 and 21.30 and Sunday January 11 between 10.00 and 21.30. The last hour on Saturday and Sunday will be kept for those who cannot manage any other time. There is no further provision for overspill. The auditions will be held at 6, Stanhope Gardens, London N6 5TS, the home of Alastair Macgeorge, Chairman of HGO. It is about 12 minutes walk from Highgate Underground station. The panel will comprise Guest Conductor Richard Hetherington, Production Director Andrew Davidson, Music Director Oliver-John Ruthven, Alastair Macgeorge and Vicky Yannoula. We will provide a pianist, but please feel free to bring your own. If you would like to audition, please e-mail Alison Thorman, Auditions Secretary (ajthorman1@gmail.com) by Saturday January 3 in order to book a slot, indicating which role(s) you are interested in and your preferred time band: Thursday January 8 18.30 20.00, 20.00 21.30: Friday January 9 18.00 20.00, 20.00 21.30: Saturday January 10 10.00 13.00, 14.00 16.00, 16.30 18.30. 19.00 21.30: Sunday January 11 10.00 13.00, 14.00 16.00, 16.30 18.30 & 19.00 21.30. Friday 16 January from 19.30 to 22.00, and Saturday 17 January from 17.00 to 22.00 We shall offer you a slot as soon as possible after we receive your application, so early birds will get first choice. Please give Alison a contact phone number and include a brief CV when you apply. Please attach a JPEG headshot no larger than 2mb (not a multi-meg glamorous studio portrait or a large-file PDF). It would be a big help to the panel if you could bring a copy of your CV with you to the audition. If you wish to be considered for more than one role, please indicate your preference: pressures of time make it unlikely that we shall be able to hear more than one extract per audiend. Audition pieces are listed on page 3. You should find all you need to know about the background to the company, and about membership, venues, etc. in the Prospectus (page two) or on the website www.hgo.org.uk, but if you have any questions, do please ask. A provisional schedule of rehearsals and performances is attached (pages four and five). It will be fleshed out, and if necessary amended or extended, when the opera has been cast and n/as known. This schedule follows the pattern introduced for La Calisto last spring and intensified for Albert Herring in the autumn. Those familiar with earlier rehearsal patterns will discover considerable changes a much shorter overall rehearsal period, but a highly concentrated phase from Easter (April 7) onwards when attendance will be virtually obligatory. HGO has traditionally been generous with n/as at heavy cost in rehearsal time and efficiency. This new schedule requires far tighter discipline and stricter criteria for n/as to ensure that we use the reduced time to maximum effect. We shall also expect everyone to be off book for the final music rehearsal on March 1 - production rehearsals will start the following Saturday, March 7. If you find that existing or likely commitments would force you to miss any performances or significant numbers of either music or production rehearsals, please do not apply to audition. If you do apply, we will take it as a commitment on your part to be available (within reason) on the dates and times set out in the draft schedule, especially in those all-important final weeks of rehearsals and we will ask you to confirm this if you are offered a part. If you know of anyone else who might be interested in auditioning, please feel free to pass on this invitation. December 2014
HAMPSTEAD GARDEN OPERA - HGO - TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP December 2014 for April 2015 Xerxes (Handel/Minato) Hampstead Garden Opera (HGO), founded in 1990 by the late Dr. Roy Budden and since 2002 a Charitable Trust, performs two fully-staged operas, with orchestra and in English, each year at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village. The company strives to achieve professional standards within a financially amateur framework. The President is Penelope MacKay, AGSM, HonARAM. The company is affiliated to N.O.D.A. and Barnet Borough Arts Council. Since HGO has no regular independent funding, each participating member is asked to make a donation towards the cost of its productions. The suggested level of donation for all principal roles in Xerxes is 130, and for chorus members 50. Special arrangements may be made for full-time students and post-graduates experiencing financial difficulties. All parts are, wherever practicable, double-cast, partly to give opportunities for more singers, but equally importantly to ensure we have covers for all the key roles, the two casts being regarded as distinctive but equal. Membership donations are payable immediately upon a role being offered and accepted and at the latest at the first rehearsal (unless payment in instalments has been agreed in advance). Members are also expected (within reason) to sell a minimum of 10 tickets each. President: Penelope MacKay, AGSM, HonARA Trustees: Patricia Cabredo Hofherr Antonia Leach Alastair Macgeorge Martin Musgrave Roger Sainsbury Committee: Music Director: Oliver-John Ruthven Chairman: Alastair Macgeorge Deputy Chairman/Publicity: Martin Musgrave Treasurer: Suzy Ruffles Friends Secretary: Roger Sainsbury Auditions Secretary: Alison Thorman Committee Secretary: Anne Macgeorge Committee members: Antonia Leach Patricia Cabredo Hofherr Milo Harries Panos Ntourntoufis The Production Director will be Andrew Davidson Performances: There will be ten performances at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, between April 24 and May 3 2015 April 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, May 1 & 2 at 7.30 pm, April 26 & May 3 at 4.00 pm and May 2 at 2.30 pm preceded by sitzprobe (April 21 provisionally 10.30 17.30), and technical & dress rehearsals for both casts throughout April 22-24. Rehearsals: We are planning to continue the pattern of rehearsals (set out separately), which we tried out for our last production, and which we hope will once again have advantages for the singers and production and music staff alike, and will significantly reduce n/as. Week-day and Saturday rehearsals will usually be held at the Methodist Church on the corner of Caledonian Road and Market Road ( Cally ): and Sunday rehearsals in All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate or the Methodist Church.
Hampstead Garden Opera - Xerxes, HWV 40 Handel Audition Excerpts Important Information - Pitch for the auditions will be A415 - - All audition excerpts must be sung in English - In order to assist with the casting process, Hampstead Garden Opera may film the auditions. By applying to audition, singers are providing their permission to allow this recording. Recordings would be solely for the use of the Audition Panel and would be destroyed after the performances. - Please provide an extra copy of your recitative excerpt for the audition accompanist - Numbers pertain to the Barenreiter Urtext edition. English text from Hytner translation (Chester Music) - Timings are taken from the Early Opera Company/ Christian Curnyn recording, Chandos 2013 Xerxes (Mezzo Soprano or Counter Tenor) - 1. Accompagnato: Frondi tenere (0:42) May the fates be kind (p7) - 2. Aria: Ombra Ma fu (2:22) Under thy shade (p8) - Act III Sc. 11 Recitativo: Se ne viene Ariodate (1:57) I ll delay it no longer (p246) - 51. Aria: Crude furie - INCLUDE DA CAPO (3:30) Rise, ye Furies! (p250) Arsamene (Mezzo Soprano or Counter Tenor) - 8. Aria: Meglio in voi (2:05) Better far by my departure (p38) - 34. Arioso: Per da fine (1:02) Must my days be spent lamenting? (p150) - Recitativo Arsamene, ove andate? (1:16) Arsamenes, where are you going? (p151) - 35. Aria: Si, la voglio - INCLUDE DA CAPO (2:34) Yes, I want her (p153) Amastre (Alto) - Act I Sc. 13 Recitativo: Tradir di regia sposa (0:18) And can he spurn a princess? (p81) - 17. Aria: Sapra delle mie offese - INCLUDE DA CAPO (4:28) Vengeance on him who spurns me (p82) - 48. Aria: Cagion son io (2:32) I am the cause of my own ruin (p229) Ariodate (Bass) - 13. Aria: Soggetti al mio volere (1:49) I never seek to question (p56) - 47. Aria: Del ciel d'amore - INCLUDE DAL SEGNO (2:21) Who d have expected such? (p222) - Act III Sc. 11 Recitativo: Se ne viene Ariodate (1:57) I ll delay it no longer (p246) Romilda (Soprano) - Act I Sc. 7 Recitativo: Aspide sono (0:17) Naught will persuade me (p47) - 10. Aria: Nemmen con l'ombre (2:32) No stain shall blemish (p47) - 18. Aria: Se l'idol mio - INCLUDE DAL SEGNO (4:06) If you d seduce him (p89) Atalanta (Soprano) - 7. Aria: Si, si, mio ben (2:22) Ah do not weep (p33) - Act I Sc. 15 Recitativo: Per rapir quel tesoro (0:16) If she thinks she ll damp my ardour (p93) - 19. Aria: Un cenno leggiadretto - INCLUDE DA CAPO (3:42) By stealing secret kisses (p94) Elviro (Bass) - 23. Arioso e Recitativo: A piangere ognora (1:18) My fortune has willed me (p108) - 24. Arietta: Ah! tigre infedele (0:14) Ah viperous evil (p111) - Recitativo ed Arioso: Parti; il re s'avvicina (0:18) Go now, the king is approaching (p111) Chorus (SATB) - Appropriate Handel aria in English (please provide music for the accompanist) Oliver-John Ruthven 12/14
XERXES - REHEARSALS: PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE MUSIC REHEARSALS Sat 14/2/15 10:30-17:30 Music Rehearsal - Sing through x 2 Full Company tbc [Cally] Sun 15/2/15 14:00-18:00 Sat 21/2/15 10.30-17.30 Music Rehearsal tbd tbc [Cally] Sun 22/2/15 14:00-18:00 Sat 28/2/15 10:30-17:30 Music Rehearsal tbd tbc [Cally] Sun 1/3/15 14:00-18:00 INITIAL PRODUCTION REHEARSALS Sat 7/3/15 10:30-17:30 Production Rehearsal (Presentation of Model Box) Full Company tbc [Cally] Sun 8/3/15 14:00-19:00 Production Rehearsal tbd tbc [All Saints] Sat 14/3/15 10:30-17:30 Sun 15/3/15 14:00-19:00 Production Rehearsal tbd tbc [All Saints] Sat 21/3/15 10:30-17:30 Sun 22/3/15 13:00-16:00 Production Rehearsal Full Company tbc [All Saints] 16:30-19.00 Friends Open Rehearsal Full Company tbc [All Saints] Sat 28/3/15 10:30-17:30 EASTER WEEK BREAK: RESUME AFTER BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY WITH INTENSIVE PRODUCTION FORTNIGHT Tue 7/4/15 10:30-17:30 Wed 8/4/15 10:30-17:30 Thu 9/4/15 10:30-17:30 Fri 10/4/15 10:30-17:30 Sat 11/4/15 10:30-17:30 Mon 13/4/15 10:30-17:30 Tue 14/4/15 10:30-17:30 Wed 15/4/15 10:30-17:30 Thu 16/4/15 10:30-17:30 Fri 17/4/15 10:30-17:30 Sat 18/4/15 10:30-17:30??Sun 19/4/15?? Orchestral Rehearsal Orchestra?? Mon 20/4/15 10:30-19:30 Sitzprobe Full Company, Orchestra tbc [Cally]
Tue 21/4/15 19:00-22:00* Stage & Piano Rehearsal 1 Persians Gatehouse Wed 22/4/15 14:30-17:30* Stage & Piano Rehearsal 2 Medes Gatehouse Wed 22/4/15 19:00-22:00* Stage & Piano Rehearsal 3 Persians Gatehouse Thu 23/4/15 14.30-17.30* Stage & Piano Rehearsal 4 Medes Gatehouse Thu 23/4/15 19:00-22:00* Dress Rehearsal 1 Persians Gatehouse Fri 24/4/15 14:00-17:00 Dress Rehearsal 2 Medes Gatehouse Fri 24/4/15 19:30 Performance 1 Persians Gatehouse Sat 25/4/15 19:30 Performance 2 Medes Gatehouse Sun 26/4/15 16:00 Performance 3 Persians Gatehouse Tue 28/4/15 19:30 Performance 4 Medes Gatehouse Wed 29/4/15 19:30 Performance 5 Persians Gatehouse Thu 30/4/15 19:30 Performance 6 Medes Gatehouse Fri 1/5/15 19:30 Performance 7 Persians Gatehouse Sat 2/5/15 14:30 Performance 8 Medes Gatehouse Sat 2/5/15 19:30 Performance 9 Persians Gatehouse Sun 3/5/15 16:00 Performance 10 Medes Gatehouse * approximate timings