The Six Swans (2014)
The Barn Concert Hall, Leiston Abbey — Part of Storm of Stories 2014
"Absolutely superb show, wonderful singing, great acting, heavenly orchestra and choir and enchanting production. It really worked brilliantly. We went home filled with wonder." — Liz Calder, Publisher
This newly commissioned opera for Storm of Stories 2014, by composer Richard Chew and librettist Jehane Markham, was an exciting and ambitious community project bringing together students from Aldeburgh Primary and Alde Valley High schools, a locally drawn scratch choir, soloists Robert Murray (Bob Boles in Grimes on the Beach), soprano Melanie Pappenheim, dancer Anusha Subramanyam and actor Matt Prendergast. The production also featured a nine piece ensemble drawn from Aldeburgh Young Musicians and Wonderful Beast’s own instrumentalists, conducted by the composer and the chorus director.
The three choirs had five 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 Grimm 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’.
Credits
Composer & Conductor: Richard Chew
Libretto: Jehane Markham
Director: Alys Kihl
Producer: Annie Blaber
Rehearsal and Workshop Leader:
Jessica Maryon-Davies
Design and Animation: David Parker
Stage Manager: Max Wingate
Costumes: Rosemary Talbot
Props: Jane Irving
Lighting: Blackwing Lighting
Cast
Storyteller: Matt Prendergast
King: Richard Chew
Girl: Anusha Subramanyam
Young King: Robert Murray
Wicked Queen: Melanie Pappenheim
Musicians
Trombone: Miguel Tantos
Violin, accordion, hurdy-gurdy, sarangi:
Sylvia Hallett
Guitar/percussion: Jack Ross
Piano: Jessica Maryon Davies
Aldeburgh Young Musicians
Flute: George Cook
Euphonium: Cameron Scott
Harp: Sarah Ng
Recorder: Finn Collinson
Saxophone: Katy Rochford
With thanks to:
Colin Virr at Aldeburgh Music
Scratch Choir
Muff Dudgeon, Annabel Franklin, Heather Hodgson, Jane Mardell
Deborah Mawson, Liz McCormick, Anthony Mehan, Lucy Rowan-Robinson
Paul Strowger, Paul Templeton, Kimberly Webster, Andrew Welch
Alde Valley School
The Brothers: Megan Harvey, Niall Lewis , Ethan Reade, Laura Robinson, Willow Sudder, Sophie Blizard, Chloe Chatten-Berry (understudy)
Chorus: Alice Bethell, Lauren Blowers, Tayla Finch, Angel Fullthorpe, Ella Hart
Lily Mayhew, Kierah Newman
Aldeburgh Primary School
Huntsmen: William Gidney, Sam Fryer
Servant: Lettie Hassett
Chorus
Eve Atkins, Harry Brinded, Bo Buzzard, Isabelle Buzzard, Luke Cameron
Courtney Culf, Scarlett Fisk, Demi Fryer, Mason Gadd, Ashleigh Libby
Gabrielle Mosher, Oliver Moy, Minnie Mulumba, Patrick Neal, Sophie Ogilvie Matilda Salter, Nathan Watters
"The collaboration between professional and community performers creates a dynamic that enhances the integrity of the interpretation There is a happy ending, of course, and the refrain of the final song of the show: “Life re-arranges all that we think we know,” is sung by all the generations on stage. This creates a poignant moment. Once again the magic of story- telling reminds us of a truth we had forgotten” — Jackie Montague (In Suffolk)
“Most things I liked about it was the singing, the performances, people’s attitudes and they gave me acting skills. I would like to do this again.” — Alde Valley School student
"So what do I think now it is all over? I know I want to keep on singing, having not been involved in anything like this for far too long. I think it was such a privilege to be part of such a fantastic opera; the music, the libretto and the superb musicians made it a truly memorable experience." — Scratch Choir member