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The Cumnor Affair
An Elizabethan Murder Mystery

Words: Iain Pears, Music Philip Cashian
World premiere and London run: 10, 12, 13, 15 and 16 November
Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, London W6 9RL
click here to download the flyer

Tête à Tête, the UK’s most original opera company, has commissioned a tremendous first-time collaboration between best-selling novelist Iain Pears (An Instance of the Fingerpost) and virtuoso composer Philip Cashian to create a cliff-hanger of an operatic murder mystery.

If she screamed, did anyone one hear?  If she was murdered, was there a witness?  If she fell, why did it kill her?  If she was pushed, who made it happen?…

On 8 September 1560, Amy Robsart was found dead at the bottom of the stairs at Cumnor Place, the bleak and basic Oxfordshire house where she was installed by her husband, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, as he cavorted in London with Queen Elizabeth I.

“I wanted to write an opera where the audience is constantly on the edge of their seats wanting to know what's going to happen next.  ‘The Cumnor Affair' is my first opera although I had the idea for the story about 10 years ago. After reading Iain Pears 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' I thought he'd be the perfect librettist for an Elizabethan murder mystery and was thrilled when he agreed to write the words.” Philip Cashian

The Cumnor Affair is the latest in Tête à Tête’s unique 10-year history of intimate, challenging, enjoyable and affordable new opera.  A company renowned for both the unmatchable quality of its polished final productions and also as a playground for artists to try out new ideas and take creative risks, this project emerged from one of Tête à Tête’s operatic speed-dating events in early 2007.  Initial ideas were then tried out in front of an audience as a work in progress at Tête à Tête – The Opera Festival summer 2007, and met with a resoundingly positive reaction from the workshop audience. This autumn Tête à Tête will present the world premiere of the fully staged production with an outstanding cast of singers and Tête à Tête’s unmatched creative team, directed by Tête à Tête Artistic Director, Bill Bankes-Jones.  Thrilling Associate Ensemble Chroma accompany the singers under the musical directon of Tim Murray.

Critically acclaimed composer, Philip Cashian’s music has been performed worldwide including commissions from the London Symphony Orchestra, BCMG and the Northern Sinfonia for the BBC Proms.  Most recently the London Sinfonietta performed Opening of the House, for voices, soundtrack and ensemble, specially commissioned for their opening concert at Kings Place, the iconic new creative centre in Kings Cross.  Philip was also appointed Head of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music in the summer of 2007.  Librettist Iain Pears is a leading art historian, journalist and author; his books include the international best seller An Instance of the Fingerpost. This is their first opera.

The Company:
Amy Robsart: Amy Carson                                     
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester: Andrew Rees   
Cecil: Robert Gildon                                      
Walsingham: Roderick Earle                           
Toby: Damian Thantrey                                         
Catherine: Phyllis Cannan                                      

Conductor: Tim Murray
Director: Bill Bankes-Jones
Ensemble: Chroma
Lighting Designer: Mark Doubleday
Designer: Tim Meacock

Performances:
Mon 10th Nov 19:45                                       
Wed 12th Nov 19:45                                       
Frid 14th Nov 19:45                                                                                        
Sat 15th Nov 19:45
Sun 16th Nov 14.30

Tickets: £15/£10 (concs)   
Box Office: 020 8237 1111 / www.riversidestudios.co.uk
Meal Deal: £27.50/£20 (concs)
Weds 12th: Pay What You Can 

Meal Ticket - £27.50 (£20 concs.)

Enjoy a 2-course meal (choice of main dish and dessert) prior to the performance of The Cumnor Affair at Riverside Bar and Kitchen. Tickets must be booked 48 hours in advance, phone and counter only. Diners should be seated no later than 7pm (Sunday Matinee 1.30pm). Meal tickets are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

The Bald Soprano
Autumn 2009

Based on the absurdist French play by Eugene Ionesco "La Cantatrice Chauve" or "The Bald Soprano” is an exciting co-production, with the Genesis Foundation. This a new commission by Jean Philippe Calvin.