Thurs 13 & Fri 14 Aug 2009
The idea for Ula was born last July when Mark Glentworth persuaded Carolyn Herail to write and original story for their second opera. Both passionate about creating new works, they became drawn to telling a story combining opera with theatre and film. Since then momentum has grown and they are thrilled to be presenting the first act of Ula at the festival with such a fantastic team who are putting all their talent and time into this project.
Synopsis
A successful American film-maker recounts the story behind his latest film – Ula – based on his own experience, when he was lost in the Scottish Highlands. Taken in by a friendly crofter, he meets the enigmatic daughter who would change the course of his life, and unearth a story filled with mystery and murder. Ula is a multi-media experience combining film, opera and theatre.
Nightingale Opera
Music: Mark Glentworth
Words: Carolyn Herail
Director: Sally Burgess
Musical Director: Jeremy Silver
Film: Dominic Lees
Johnny: Dominic Grant
Adam (Older): Robin Kingsland
Adam (Younger): Stephen Antony Brown
Robert: Mark Richardson
Ula: Carolyn Hérail
Nightingale Opera
Music: Mark Glentworth
Words: Carolyn Herail
Director: Sally Burgess
Musical Director: Jeremy Silver
Film: Dominic Lees
Johnny: Dominic Grant
Adam (Older): Robin Kingsland
Adam (Younger): Stephen Antony Brown
Robert: Mark Richardson
Ula: Carolyn Hérail
Biographies
Mark Glentworth- Widely respected as both a player and composer within the percussion world, Mark has also worked for many years as composer for Steven Berkoff on major productions including the recent West-End run of “On the Waterfront” for which his score received much critical acclaim. “Ula” his second opera combines the world of opera with his music for theatre.
Carolyn Hérail – Carolyn studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Richmond Drama School. Her work as a librettist began with “Blood Rose” by Mark Glentworth in which she also sang the role of the Nightingale. Her love of writing began as singer/song writer “Astraea”. This is the first opera she has written the story and libretto for.
Sally Burgess- sings roles including Carmen; Judith Bluebeard‟s Castle; Herodias Salome; Azucena Il Trovatore; Amneris Aida; Kabanicha Katya Kabanova; Fricka The Ring; and Mistress Quickly Falstaff for such companies as the Metropolitan Opera, Opera National de Paris, Bavarian State Opera, the English and Welsh National Operas, Scottish Opera and in Bregenz, Geneva, Zurich, Seattle, Houston and Marseille. She has performed with all the UK‟s leading orchestras and regularly in concert and recital across the world. Her recordings include Salome and Bluebeard’s Castle for Chandos. Ula represents her directorial debut.
Jeremy Silver – Acclaimed for being “as exciting as he is subtle in his conducting”, Jeremy Silver‟s passionate lyricism and overriding sense of lyricism and balance have made him an esteemed conductor both in the theatre and the concert hall. He has held posts in the UK and South Africa, while his freelance career has taken him to France, Holland, Poland, the USA and Malaysia.
Dominic Grant – has worked extensively in theatre and television, most recently in the West End run of Steven Berkoff‟s acclaimed production of „On The Waterfront‟. Other theatre includes The Royal Court, Royal National Theatre, Young Vic and many regional repertory theatres. TV includes The Bill, 99-1, Serious & Organised, London‟s Burning, Family Affairs, The Genius of Mozart and Wedlock. Dominic is also a freelance director.
Robin Kingsland – has played many leading roles in repertory and West End theatre. Recent performances included Charlie Malloy in Steven Berkoff‟s On The Waterfront, Peter Lawford in Rat Pack Confidential, as well as roles in I Have Been Here Before, Arthur Miller‟s Price and a new play, Garage Band. Spoken voice work includes audio book adaptations and the role of Fr Bardolino in The Deceit of Angels on Radio 4, as well as public readings of Shakespeare and selections of poetry.
Stephen Antony Brown – Studied at Trinity College, London and then at the Benjamin Britten International Opera School at the Royal College of Music. His career has led to roles with Almeida Opera, Castleward Opera, and Raymond Gubbay at the Albert Hall, Garsington, D‟Oyly Carte and Glyndebourne in roles including Nemorino, Don Ramiro, Lt Pinkerton, Alfredo and Tom Rakewell. Concerts and award winning recital have taken him to New Zealand, Spain, Iceland, Norway, Romania and Israel.
Mark Richardson – Throughout his career Mark has been involved in many new or modern operas and is delighted to have the opportunity to help bring this new work to life with the creative team assembled. This is a return to Tete a Tete opera for Mark who played several roles in the recent production of “PUSH.”