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How Idomeneo looks from here
The audience are never going to experience an opera the way the chorus does. Even though performance in the round gives them some idea, as they peer through the crowds to catch a glimpse of th action, but actually, the action is what they are peering round. Our chorus experience is sweaty, loud and partial…
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Orchestral Manoeuvres
One of the delights of being involved in the community opera at Blackheath Halls is working with the Blackheath Halls Community Orchestra. We don’t get to hear what they are up to until the sitz probe, when we run through the entire opera and work out the corners. This is one of my favourite sessions,…
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It’s about to get loud…
If you’ve been thinking I’ve been a bit quiet lately it’s because I’ve been so busy. One of the things I’ve been busy with is the Blackheath Halls Community Opera. We are doing Idomeneo [Mozart] this year and it is tremendously singable – lush baroque music to make you weep with joy at the cleverness…
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Blackheath Brundibar
Brundibar, the children’s opera by Hans Krása, was performed many times by children in Theresienstadt concentration camp, and the music is very much of the time, wandering from tango to ragtime with overtones of Kurt Weil. This rather sombre historical note is echoed in the pre-show performance by Trinity Laban’s Colab singers, with songs actually…
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Last Blackheath performance of Count Ory this afternoon
It is the last performance! After Friday’s sold out but sweltering performance, it is cooler this afternoon, and I can consider the wearing of my (quilted!) tail coat fairly calmly. I hope the sweat in the wimples has dried … There’s a nice enthusiastic review on Classical Source. Lena Kern (official photographer) has been having…
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Blackheath Count Ory gets 4 stars from What’s On Stage
That’s a headline a girl like to write. read the whole thing here, but a little taster – …proves once again that the words Blackheath Halls and triumph are synonymous. …easy as it would be to dwell on the delights of the principals, it’s the magnificent chorus that deserves most attention… Opera up close has…
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Count Ory first night tonight
Here’s a sneak preview of what you can expect: the villagers from act I scene I. It’s all very Camberwick Green – until ‘The Hermit’ shows up…
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Singing in a veil
A new experience, singing whilst dressed as a nun. Apparently the costumes are borrowed from a production of Sister Act, and fit where they touch – A’s ‘cutty sark’ needs letting down about a foot so we don’t see her stripey socks until we are meant to. (I like the strategically placed light, it gives…
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What a difference a floor makes
First stage rehearsal for The Adventures of Count Ory last night, and although there’s still some work to do on the seating, the stage is pretty much set up. Fantastic ‘stone slab’ flooring that will double as the town square and the castle. Bent-wood chairs have replaced the heavy cushioned metal ones that the audience…
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Hooray Henries dress as Nuns and break into wine cellar
If that sounds like the plot of an opera, it’s because it is. Tue 15th, Wed 16th, Fri 18th Jul 19.00h Sun 20th Jul 14:30h The Adventures of Count Ory (think Tintin crossed with Don Juan) a cartoonish take on Rossini’s le Comte d’Ory is the latest production from the ever wonderful Blackheath Halls, and…
Cherry Potts, Writer 