NEWS
Dazzling Recital from Ariane Jurriaanse
March 2005
Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham
20th February, 2005
The Sunday Showcase series continues to attract good audiences even on cold winter days. But given the calibre of the performances this is not surprising. This recital was by the Dutch pianist Ariane Jurriaanse, who now lives in Cheltenham. She began with the relatively unfamiliar Rondo in A minor of Mozart, which turned out to be a more wide-ranging work than its wistful opening theme promised. Chopin’s Noctures are not the most obvious choice for an afternoon recital but three of them were given a sympathetic performance underscored by impeccable technique. Schubert’s Sonata in A minor was a thrilling experience with the dark tensions of the opening movement much in evidence. Pride of place on the programme must go to Mendelssohn’s remarkable Variations Serieuses. The music is not so serious that it lacks passion or melodic interest. Ms Jurriaanse exploited these to the full making light of the musical complexities in a towering performance which culminated in a dazzling conclusion. She finished her varied recital on a lighter note with two pieces inspired by paintings – Granados’ The Maiden and the
Nightingale inspired by Goya and Debussy’s L’Isle Joyeuse after a
Watteau picture, which radiated exuberance and joy.
Roger Jones
Gloucester Echo
Benjamin Bevan sings Giordano with Scottish Opera in Edinburgh
February 2005
Benjamin Bevan will sing Fleville and Fouquier-Tinville in Scottish Opera's concert performances of Andrea Chenier at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 13th & 16th March.
Further information and Booking:
Usher Hall, Edinburgh | Tel: +44 (0)131 228 1155 | www.usherhall.co.uk
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall | Tel: +44 (0)141 353 8000 | www.grch.com
Scottish Opera | Tel: +44 (0)141 248 4567 | www.scottishopera.org.uk
MLA 2005 Artist Brochure
February 2005
The Michael Letchford Artists 2005 brochure is now published and is available on request.
Jennifer Lane sings Stravinsky with the RNSO in Glasgow
February 2005
Jennifer Lane makes her British debut singing Jocasta in Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under Alexander Lazarev at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 5th March.
Further information and Booking:
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall | Tel: +44 (0)141 353 8000 | www.grch.com
Royal Scottish National Orchestra | +44 (0)141 226 3868 | www.rsno.org.uk
Rachel Hynes sings Tippett with Scottish Opera in Edinburgh
February 2005
In January & February 2005 Rachel Hynes sang Denise in Scottish Opera's highly praised new production of Sir Michael Tippett's The Knot Garden. Michael Tanner, reviewing the production in The Spectator wrote "Denise is sung by Rachel Hynes, looking strikingly like Josephine Barstow (the original Denise) but even more identified with the role.". Kenneth Walton in The Scotsman wrote "Rachel Hynes... fearlessly triumphs in some of the opera's most challenging and ecstatic music." In The Sunday Herald, Frank Carroll wrote "Rachel Hynes... is outstanding in her stratospherically high arias".
Rachel Hynes in Tippett's The Knott Garden (Photo: Drew Farrell)
Further information:
Scottish Opera | Tel: +44 (0)141 248 4567 | www.scottishopera.org.uk
In March, Rachel Hynes will sing Benjamin Britten's Les Illuminations under Sir Richard Armstrong in Edinburgh.
Tom Higgins conducts Gounod with Opera South
January 2005
Tom Higgins will conduct a new production of Gounod's Faust for Opera South at Haslemere on 15th, 16th, 18th &19th February with the Guildford Philharmonic.
Further information and Booking:
Haslemere Hall Theatre | +44 (0)1428 642161
Opera South
Guildford Philharmonic
Jennifer Lane master class in Pensylvania, USA
January 2005
Jennifer Lane will take a master class and give a Gala Recital at the 2005 Diana Barnhart American Song Competition and Conference in Wayne, Pa, USA in February 2005.
Alistair Dawes conducts Mozart with Opera North
January 2005
Alistair Dawes made his house debut at Grand Theatre, Leeds conducting Opera North's new production of Don Giovanni in January. He will conduct the opera on tour at Theatre Royal, Norwich; The Lowry, Salford Quays; Theatre Royal, Newcastle and Grand Opera House, Belfast during April.
Further information and Booking:
Opera North | www.operanorth.co.uk
Grand Theatre, Leeds | +44 (0)113 222 6222 | www.leeds.gov.uk/grandtheatre
The Lowry, Salford Quays | +44 (0)870 787 5785 | www.thelowry.com
Theatre Royal Newcastle | +44 (0)870 905 5060 | www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Theatre Royal Norwich | +44 (0)1603 630 000 | www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
Grand Opera House Belfast | +44 (0)28 9024 1919 | www.goh.co.uk
