HAMPSTEAD GARDEN OPERA
SPRING 2015 PRODUCTION
Handel’s Xerxes (Serse in the original Italian but we shall sing it in English) is our choice for April 2015. The opera
is ostensibly about the disastrous attempt by Xerxes, ruler of Persia from 486 to 465 BC, to invade Greece by
building a bridge across the Hellespont, a narrow strait linking the Black Sea to the Aegean – but the bridge is a
diversion.
The opera is really about Xerxes’ equally disastrous attempt to pinch his brother’s girlfriend (at the
expense of his royal fiancée Amastris and to the dismay of his brother Arsamenes). The murderous thoughts of a
power-crazed tyrant behaving atrociously are never far away; but this is a richly entertaining comedy, albeit dark at
times, full of clever twists, appealing characters, gorgeous tunes and great solo roles, and Handel ensures that
Xerxes gets his come-uppance.
We shall be giving ten performances of Xerxes (five of each cast) between Friday 24 April and Sunday 3 May 2015 at
Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate Village, N6. The orchestral Sitzprobe will be on Monday 20 April followed by
Tech and Dress Rehearsals between April 21 and 23. The opera will be directed by Andrew Davidson, Australianborn Director, Musician and Acting Teacher: and the baroque specialists of Musica Poetica London will be conducted
by Richard Hetherington in the temporary absence of Music Director, Oliver-John Ruthven.
We shall provide
information on vocal scores as soon as we can.
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE OF THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY: THERE ARE FIVE PAGES ALTOGETHER AND
MUCH MAY BE UNFAMILIAR: YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO SKIP A PARAGRAPH, LET ALONE A PAGE!
Auditions will be held across four sessions – Thursday January 8 from 18.30 to 21.30; Friday January 9 from 18.00
to 21.30; Saturday January 10 between 10.00 and 21.30 and Sunday January 11 between 10.00 and 21.30. The
last hour on Saturday and Sunday will be kept for those who cannot manage any other time. There is no further
provision for overspill.
The auditions will be held at 6, Stanhope Gardens, London N6 5TS, the home of Alastair Macgeorge, Chairman of
HGO. It is about 12 minutes walk from Highgate Underground station. The panel will comprise Guest Conductor
Richard Hetherington, Production Director Andrew Davidson, Music Director Oliver-John Ruthven, Alastair Macgeorge
and Vicky Yannoula. We will provide a pianist, but please feel free to bring your own.
If you would like to audition, please e-mail Alison Thorman, Auditions Secretary (alison.thorman@hgo.org.uk) by
Saturday January 3 in order to book a slot, indicating which role(s) you are interested in and your preferred time–
band: Thursday January 8 18.30 – 20.00, 20.00 – 21.30: Friday January 9 18.00 – 20.00, 20.00 – 21.30:
Saturday January 10 10.00 – 13.00, 14.00 – 16.00, 16.30 – 18.30. 19.00 – 21.30: Sunday January 11 10.00 –
13.00, 14.00 – 16.00, 16.30 – 18.30 & 19.00 – 21.30.
We shall offer you a slot as soon as possible after we receive your application, so early birds will get first choice.
Please give Alison a contact ’phone number and include a brief CV when you apply. Please attach a JPEG headshot
no larger than 2mb (not a multi-meg glamorous studio portrait or a large-file PDF). It would be a big help to the
panel if you could bring a copy of your CV with you to the audition.
If you wish to be considered for more than one role, please indicate your preference: pressures of time make it
unlikely that we shall be able to hear more than one extract per audiend. Audition pieces are listed on page 3.
You should find all you need to know about the background to the company, and about membership, venues, etc. in
the Prospectus (page two) or on the website www.hgo.org.uk, but if you have any questions, do please ask.
A provisional schedule of rehearsals and performances is attached (pages four and five). It will be fleshed out, and
if necessary amended or extended, when the opera has been cast and n/as known. This schedule follows the
pattern introduced for La Calisto last spring and intensified for Albert Herring in the autumn. Those familiar with
earlier rehearsal patterns will discover considerable changes – a much shorter overall rehearsal period, but a highly
concentrated phase from Easter (April 7) onwards when attendance will be virtually obligatory.
HGO has
traditionally been generous with n/as at heavy cost in rehearsal time and efficiency. This new schedule requires far
tighter discipline and stricter criteria for n/as to ensure that we use the reduced time to maximum effect. We shall
also expect everyone to be off book for the final music rehearsal on March 1 - production rehearsals will start the
following Saturday, March 7.
If you find that existing or likely commitments would force you to miss any performances or significant numbers of
either music or production rehearsals, please do not apply to audition.
If you do apply, we will take it as a
commitment on your part to be available (within reason) on the dates and times set out in the draft schedule,
especially in those all-important final weeks of rehearsals – and we will ask you to confirm this if you are offered a
part. If you know of anyone else who might be interested in auditioning, please feel free to pass on this invitation.
December 2014
HAMPSTEAD GARDEN OPERA -
HGO
-
TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP
December 2014 for April 2015 – Xerxes (Handel/Minato)
Hampstead Garden Opera (HGO), founded in 1990 by the late Dr. Roy Budden and since 2002 a Charitable Trust,
performs two fully-staged operas, with orchestra and in English, each year at ‘Upstairs at the Gatehouse’, Highgate
Village.
The company strives to achieve professional standards within a financially amateur framework. The
President is Penelope MacKay, AGSM, HonARAM. The company is affiliated to N.O.D.A. and Barnet Borough Arts
Council.
Since HGO has no regular independent funding, each participating member is asked to make a donation towards
the cost of its productions. The suggested level of donation for all principal roles in Xerxes is £130, and for chorus
members £50.
Special arrangements may be made for full-time students and post-graduates experiencing
financial difficulties. All parts are, wherever practicable, double-cast, partly to give opportunities for more singers,
but equally importantly to ensure we have covers for all the key roles, the two casts being regarded as distinctive
but equal.
Membership donations are payable immediately upon a role being offered and accepted – and at the latest at the
first rehearsal (unless payment in instalments has been agreed in advance). Members are also expected (within
reason) to sell a minimum of 10 tickets each.
President:
Penelope MacKay, AGSM, HonARA
Trustees:
Patricia Cabredo Hofherr
Alastair Macgeorge
Roger Sainsbury
Antonia Leach
Martin Musgrave
Committee:
Music Director:
Chairman:
Deputy Chairman/Publicity:
Treasurer:
Friends’ Secretary:
Auditions Secretary:
Committee Secretary:
Committee members:
Oliver-John Ruthven
Alastair Macgeorge
Martin Musgrave
Suzy Ruffles
Roger Sainsbury
Alison Thorman
Anne Macgeorge
Antonia Leach
Patricia Cabredo Hofherr
Milo Harries
Panos Ntourntoufis
Vicky Yannoula
The Production Director will be Andrew Davidson
Performances:
There will be ten performances at ‘Upstairs at the Gatehouse’, Highgate Village, between April
24 and May 3 2015 – April 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, May 1 & 2 at 7.30 pm, April 26 & May 3 at 4.00
pm and May 2 at 2.30 pm – preceded by sitzprobe (April 21 provisionally 10.30 – 17.30), and
technical & dress rehearsals for both casts throughout April 22-24.
Rehearsals:
We are planning to continue the pattern of rehearsals (set out separately), which we tried out
for our last production, and which we hope will once again have advantages for the singers and
production and music staff alike, and will significantly reduce n/as.
Week-day and Saturday rehearsals will usually be held at the Methodist Church on the corner
of Caledonian Road and Market Road (‘Cally’): and Sunday rehearsals in All Saints Church,
Talbot Road, Highgate or the Methodist Church.
Hampstead Garden Opera - Xerxes, HWV 40 – Handel
_______ Audition Excerpts
Important Information
-
Pitch for the auditions will be A415
-
Please provide an extra copy of your recitative excerpt for the audition accompanist
-
Numbers pertain to the Barenreiter Urtext edition. English text from Hytner translation (Chester Music)
-
Timings are taken from the Early Opera Company/ Christian Curnyn recording, Chandos 2013
All audition excerpts must be sung in English
In order to assist with the casting process, Hampstead Garden Opera may film the auditions. By applying to audition, singers are providing their
permission to allow this recording. Recordings would be solely for the use of the Audition Panel and would be destroyed after the performances.
Xerxes
-
-
(Mezzo Soprano or Counter Tenor)
1. Accompagnato: Frondi tenere (0:42)
‘May the fates be kind’ (p7)
2. Aria: Ombra Ma fu (2:22)
‘Under thy shade’ (p8)
Act III Sc. 11 Recitativo: Se ne viene Ariodate (1:57)
‘I’ll delay it no longer’ (p246)
51. Aria: Crude furie - INCLUDE DA CAPO (3:30)
‘Rise, ye Furies!’ (p250)
Arsamene (Mezzo Soprano or Counter Tenor)
-
8. Aria: Meglio in voi (2:05)
‘Better far by my departure’ (p38)
34. Arioso: Per da fine (1:02)
‘Must my days be spent lamenting?’ (p150)
Recitativo Arsamene, ove andate? (1:16)
‘Arsamenes, where are you going?’ (p151)
35. Aria: Si, la voglio - INCLUDE DA CAPO (2:34)
‘Yes, I want her’ (p153)
Amastre (Alto)
-
Act I Sc. 13 Recitativo: Tradir di regia sposa (0:18)
‘And can he spurn a princess?’ (p81)
17. Aria: Sapra delle mie offese - INCLUDE DA CAPO (4:28)
‘Vengeance on him who spurns me’ (p82)
48. Aria: Cagion son io (2:32)
‘I am the cause of my own ruin’ (p229)
Ariodate (Bass)
-
13. Aria: Soggetti al mio volere (1:49)
‘I never seek to question’ (p56)
47. Aria: Del ciel d'amore - INCLUDE DAL SEGNO (2:21)
‘Who’d have expected such …?’ (p222)
Act III Sc. 11 Recitativo: Se ne viene Ariodate (1:57)
‘I’ll delay it no longer’ (p246)
Romilda (Soprano)
-
Act I Sc. 7 Recitativo: Aspide sono (0:17)
‘Naught will persuade me’ (p47)
10. Aria: Nemmen con l'ombre (2:32)
‘No stain shall blemish…’(p47)
18. Aria: Se l'idol mio - INCLUDE DAL SEGNO (4:06)
‘If you’d seduce him’ (p89)
Atalanta (Soprano)
-
7. Aria: Si, si, mio ben (2:22)
‘Ah do not weep’ (p33)
Act I Sc. 15 Recitativo: Per rapir quel tesoro (0:16)
‘If she thinks she’ll damp my ardour’ (p93)
19. Aria: Un cenno leggiadretto - INCLUDE DA CAPO (3:42)
‘By stealing secret kisses’ (p94)
Elviro (Bass)
- 23. Arioso e Recitativo: A piangere ognora (1:18)
‘My fortune has willed me’ (p108)
- 24. Arietta: Ah! tigre infedele (0:14)
‘Ah viperous evil’ (p111)
- Recitativo ed Arioso: Parti; il re s'avvicina (0:18)
‘Go now, the king is approaching’ (p111)
Chorus (SATB)
- Appropriate Handel aria in English (please provide music for the accompanist)
Oliver-John Ruthven 12/14
XERXES - REHEARSALS:
PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE
MUSIC REHEARSALS
Sat 14/2/15
Sun 15/2/15
Sat 21/2/15
Sun 22/2/15
Sat 28/2/15
Sun 1/3/15
10:30-17:30
Music Rehearsal - Sing through x 2
14:00-18:00
Music Rehearsal
10.30-17.30
Music Rehearsal
14:00-18:00
Music Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Music Rehearsal
14:00-18:00
Music Rehearsal
Full Company
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [All Saints]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [All Saints]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [All Saints]
Full Company
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [All Saints]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [All Saints]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
Full Company
tbc [All Saints]
Full Company
tbc [All Saints]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
INITIAL PRODUCTION REHEARSALS
Sat 7/3/15
Sun 8/3/15
Sat 14/3/15
Sun 15/3/15
Sat 21/3/15
Sun 22/3/15
Sat 28/3/15
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
(Presentation of Model Box)
14:00-19:00
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
14:00-19:00
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
|13:00-16:00
|Production Rehearsal
|16:30-19.00
|Friends’ Open Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
EASTER WEEK – BREAK: RESUME AFTER BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY WITH INTENSIVE
PRODUCTION FORTNIGHT
Tue 7/4/15
Wed 8/4/15
Thu 9/4/15
Fri 10/4/15
Sat 11/4/15
Mon 13/4/15
Tue 14/4/15
Wed 15/4/15
Thu 16/4/15
Fri 17/4/15
Sat 18/4/15
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
10:30-17:30
Production Rehearsal
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
tbd
tbc [Cally]
??Sun 19/4/15
Mon 20/4/15
Tue 21/4/15
Wed 22/4/15
Wed 22/4/15
Thu 23/4/15
Thu 23/4/15
Fri 24/4/15
Fri 24/4/15
Sat 25/4/15
Sun 26/4/15
Tue 28/4/15
Wed 29/4/15
Thu 30/4/15
Fri 1/5/15
Sat 2/5/15
Sat 2/5/15
Sun 3/5/15
??
Orchestral Rehearsal
10:30-19:30
Sitzprobe
19:00-22:00*
Stage & Piano Rehearsal
14:30-17:30*
Stage & Piano Rehearsal
19:00-22:00*
Stage & Piano Rehearsal
14.30-17.30*
Stage & Piano Rehearsal
19:00-22:00*
Dress Rehearsal 1
14:00-17:00
Dress Rehearsal 2
19:30
Performance 1
19:30
Performance 2
16:00
Performance 3
19:30
Performance 4
19:30
Performance 5
19:30
Performance 6
19:30
Performance 7
14:30
Performance 8
19:30
Performance 9
16:00
Performance 10
* approximate timings
Orchestra
??
Full Company,
Orchestra
tbc [Cally]
1
Persians
Gatehouse
2
Medes
Gatehouse
3
Persians
Gatehouse
4
Medes
Gatehouse
Persians
Gatehouse
Medes
Gatehouse
Persians
Gatehouse
Medes
Gatehouse
Persians
Gatehouse
Medes
Gatehouse
Persians
Gatehouse
Medes
Gatehouse
Persians
Gatehouse
Medes
Gatehouse
Persians
Gatehouse
Medes
Gatehouse