the nightingale
(The Barn Concert Hall, Leiston Abbey, as Part of Storm of Stories 2016)
A new community opera by john barber and hazel gould
'First class, very professional, beautiful music, wonderful coordination of children, adults, amateurs and professionals' — AUDIENCE MEMBER
This newly commissioned opera for Storm of Stories 2016, by composer John Barber and librettist Hazel Gould, was an exciting and ambitious community project bringing together students from Aldeburgh Primary, Leiston Primary School and Alde Valley High schools, a locally drawn scratch choir, soloists Omar Ebrahim, soprano Kirsty Hopkins, Robert Anthony Gardiner, Louise Moseley and dancer Richard Court. The production also featured a nine piece ensemble drawn from Aldeburgh Young Musicians and Wonderful Beast’s own instrumentalists, conducted by Natalie Murray Beale and the chorus director, Jessica Maryon-Davies.
The choirs had six weekly rehearsals led by musician and work shopper par excellence, Jessica Maryon-Davies, with Alys Kihl, director. The excitement culminated when all the participants joined forces to rehearse at Leiston Abbey culminating in three packed performances. Thanks must go to our partner, Pro Corda, who generously provided us with the hall and all facilities.
The opera is inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. Highly dramatic, this gorgeous musical adaptation, involving stunning animation by David Parker, was superbly brought to life by all the participants and captivated audiences many of whom did not know what to expect from an ‘opera’.
The choirs had six weekly rehearsals led by musician and work shopper par excellence, Jessica Maryon-Davies, with Alys Kihl, director. The excitement culminated when all the participants joined forces to rehearse at Leiston Abbey culminating in three packed performances. Thanks must go to our partner, Pro Corda, who generously provided us with the hall and all facilities.
The opera is inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. Highly dramatic, this gorgeous musical adaptation, involving stunning animation by David Parker, was superbly brought to life by all the participants and captivated audiences many of whom did not know what to expect from an ‘opera’.
'I would not be here today working as a professional in the performing arts, if it were not for projects like the ones Wonderful Beast are giving kids the chance to be involved in.'
— RICHARD COURT (MECHANICAL NIGHTINGALE)
'Being partof Wonderful Beast’s production of The Nightingale was brilliant! Thank you very much to the Wonderful Beast team and to AYM for opening this door for me.'
-- MILLIE CLARK, AYM, AGED 12
'I have never really had a chance to do stuff like this before.'
-- LEISTON PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPIL
Creatives
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Composer: John Barber
Libretto: Hazel Gould Director: Freya Wynn-Jones Produced by: Ann Blaber & Alys Kihl Chorus Master: Jessica Maryon-Davies Conductor: Natalie Murray Beale Designer: Sarah Booth Animation: David Parker Movement Advisor: Richard Court Stage Manager: Alicia Feetham Lighting: Blackwing Lighting |
The Nightingale Opera 2016 from BoMoJo ® on Vimeo. |
CASTEmperor: Omar Ebrahim
Advisor: Robert Anthony Gardiner Kitchen Maid: Louise Moseley Nightingale: Kirsty Hopkins Mechanical Nightingale: Richard Court |
MUSICIANSGuitar: Jack Ross
Cello: Jonathan Rees Violin: Roma Tic Accordion: Miloš Milivojević |
wONDERFUL BEAST SINGERSKatie Boult, Muff Dudgeon, Jane Mardell, Anthony Mehan, Deborah Mawson, Lucy Rowan-Robinson, Paul Templeton, Andrew Welch.
Aldeburgh Primary School Alde Valley School Leiston Primary School |
ALDEBURGH YOUNG MUSICIANSFlute and piccolo: Millie Clark
Clarinet: Annabelle Cooke French Horn: Georgia Dawson Double bass: Eleanor Roberts Percussion: Acer Smith With thanks to: Colin Virr at Aldeburgh Music |
