Saturday 21st August, 15.00
FifteenB Productions
Based on the play by Alan Richardson, Robert Hugill’s gripping new opera uses just 4 singers and 4 instrumentalists to create a taut music drama.
A man is tied up on a deserted warehouse. Why is he there? The shocking truth is revealed.
Genesis
A dripping tap in the stage directions provided me with the image of the opera opening with just a solo cello and I developed the piece from this. As the play is just a 2 hander, I added the chorus parts, singing extracts from the stage directions, in order to provide variety of texture and some respite for the singers playing the Man and the Woman. This had the added advantage of giving the piece a rather abstract quality. We are presenting the work in concert this year, allowing me to re-work the piece this autumn. In 2011 we will be presenting a fully staged version directed by Ian Caddy.
Synopsis
Based on the play by Alan Richardson, Robert Hugill’s gripping new opera uses just 4 singers and 4 instrumentalists to create a taut music drama.
A man is tied up on a deserted warehouse.
Why is he there?
The shocking truth is revealed.
“Dark, disturbing, imaginative …compelling and intriguing piece of writing.” Review of the original play, Director, Goldfields Repertory Club, Kalegoolie, Western Australia.
FifteenB Productions
Music & Words: Robert Hugill
Conductor: David Roblou
Featuring:
The Man: Dario Dugandzic (Baritone)
The Woman: Deborah Stoddart (Soprano)
Female Chorus: Sarah Barham (Alto)
Male Chorus: John Beaumont (Tenor)
FifteenB Productions
Music & Words: Robert Hugill
Conductor: David Roblou
Featuring:
The Man: Dario Dugandzic (Baritone)
The Woman: Deborah Stoddart (Soprano)
Female Chorus: Sarah Barham (Alto)
Male Chorus: John Beaumont (Tenor)
Robert Hugill’s first opera, Garrett, received its first performances in 2001 at Hoxton Hall directed by Darren Royston with Damian Thantrey as Garrett. In December 2008, the Chapelle du Roi under Alistair Dixon, premiered Robert’s motet Puer natus est nobis at St. John’s Smith Square, and the motet Videte Miraculum in December 2009.
Alan Richardson wrote his first play in 1973 and has since won eight playwriting competitions including the Geoffrey Whitworth Trophy. His one act plays have won numerous trophies at drama festivals, including many best actor/actress awards. Alan’s pla ys have received over 810 performances, mainly in the UK, including six Edinburgh Festival Fringe productions, but also abroad.
David Roblou’s repertoire includes more than fifty operas (from Caccini through baroque, classical and romantic standards to world premieres) plus ballet, oratorio and orchestral works from all periods, touring the UK, Europe and the Americas. Founder musical director of Midsummer Opera in 1985. He has been principal keyboard player for Philip Pickett’s New London Consort for 40 years.
Dario Dugandzic recently finished his undergraduate studies at Trinity College of Music under the tutelage of Ameral Gunson, Martyn Hill and Mary Hill. Credits for TCM include Guillermo (opera scenes), Keeper/chorus (The Rake’s Progress). Roles elsewhere include Simone (La Finta Semplice, Opera Petit), Titone (Bononcini’s Cefalo e Procride, Clemens Non Papa Consort), Luka (The Bear), Fiorello/Officer (Barber of Seville, Minotaur Music Theatre).
Deborah Stoddart 2008 saw Deborah’s debut at English National Opera, understudying Aida. She made her solo debut at the Royal Albert Hall for the Gubbay Organisation in 2005 and at the Barbican with the ECO. Recent performances include the title roles in Turandot, Norma and Aida for Midsummer Opera. Future engagements include Elisabetta in Don Carlos and Israel in Egypt at Snape.