Thursday 19th August & Friday 20th August, 19.00
Genesis
This piece began to form after my being introduced to Charlotte Perkins Gilman by my headmaster, Dr. Joseph Spence. I instantly felt drawn to The Yellow Wallpaper, as so many before, and the initial idea, on Dr. Spence’s recommendation, was to write a chamber opera. But on reading more about Gilman herself, I decided to work on a more intimate piece, one that will hopefully find a more universal resonance, even during times that are supposed to be more equal amongst women and men. This is the first time that I have been involved with Tête à Tête as a composer, and our debut performance as a company of musicians and artists.
Music & Design: Daniel Saleeb (1985- )
Words: Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935)
Projection Operator: Cate Blanchard
Director of Photography: Robin Ockleford
Soprano: Miranda Heldt
Flute: Cathy Birch
Clarinet: Ellen Deverall
Piano: Martin Ford
Percussion: Gerard Rundell
Violin: Charis Jenson
Violincello: Verity Evanson
Music & Design: Daniel Saleeb (1985- )
Words: Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935)
Projection Operator: Cate Blanchard
Director of Photography: Robin Ockleford
Soprano: Miranda Heldt
Flute: Cathy Birch
Clarinet: Ellen Deverall
Piano: Martin Ford
Percussion: Gerard Rundell
Violin: Charis Jenson
Violincello: Verity Evanson
Daniel Saleeb read music as a choral scholar at Magdalen, Oxford, and recently completed his Master’s in Advanced Composition at the Royal College of Music, with Kenneth Hesketh. His musical interests are wide-ranging, though music theatre is a particular passion. He is resident composer with Offstage Theatre, and was recently awarded a place in the International Composer Pyrami d project, run by Sounds New and Coups de Vents.
Miranda Heldt studied as a choral scholar at Cambridge University. She has studied singing with Jennifer Partridge and Julie Kennard privately, whilst working in arts management in London. This is Miranda’s first contemporary work, but she hopes to explore more on starting her postgraduate degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September.
Cathy Birch studied flute with Anna Pope, Junior Department RAM, Laura Jellicoe, RNCM, and independently with Susan Milan. She gained her undergraduate degree in Music at the University of Manchester and a Masters from Royal Holloway, specialising in performance practice and the work of Brian Ferneyhough. She is a busy chamber musician and produces community music projects for Spitalfields Music.
Ellen Deverall received an ABRSM scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music graduating in 2010 with a MMus Distinction and DipRAM. She has performed duo recitals in the UK, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Spain. She’s a member of the St James Quintet, winners of the 2009 ROSL Ensemble Prize and will make their Wigmore Hall debut in November.
Martin Ford is currently Assistant Organist at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, a post which he combines with postgraduate study at the Royal College of Music. Previously, he was Organ Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford, and has performed recitals at venues including St Paul’s Cathedral.
Gerard Rundell is currently studying for an MPerf in Percussion at the RCM, and is a holder of the AHRC Professional Preparation Award. He also works as a freelance orchestral player, with groups such as the English Chamber Orchestra. He is passionate about contemporary music, performing as a soloist and chamber musician at venues such as at the Huddersfield International Contemporary Music Festival and the Royal Albert Hall, Elgar Room.
Verity Evanson studied music as an undergraduate at St. John’s, Oxford before gaining a scholarship to the Royal College of Music. She has given chamber recitals at many prestigious venues including, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, St. James’, Piccadilly, the Holywell Music Rooms and St. David’s Hall, Cardiff. She continues to study with Alastair Blayden.
Charis Jenson trained at the Royal College of Music under Yossi Zivoni as an Associated Board scholar, graduating with first class honors. She is currently furthering her studies on the postgraduate course with Maciej Rakowski, kindly supported by the Musicians Benevolent Fund, the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, and the South Square Trust.
Robin Ockleford is an office dogsbody film aesthetics graduate, currently working for a staff training company while interning at film companies. He has made several shorts from action sports sections to small art pieces.
Cate Blanchard trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama where she now works. She now markets herself as a freelance Video Designer. She has produced work for ranging companies; highlights include The Vagina Monologues, New Players Theatre, In His Image, Hampstead Theatre, Jerry Springer the Opera, and Embassy Theatre.