Vocal Scenes

Beethoven Fidelio

Act 1 Opening Duet (in German)

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Jaquino

Max Robbins

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Marzelline

Annabel Bigland

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Piano

Alicia Hernández Huebra

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The laundry of a prison: the warden’s assistant, Jaquino is in love with the warden’s daughter, Marzelline and has a big question to ask. But Marzelline has moved on and is now in love with a new prison employee, Fidelio. She rejects Jaquino’s proposal.

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Britten Turn of the Screw

Act 1 Scene 4 ‘The Tower’, Scene 5 extract ‘The Window’ (in English)

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The Governess

Ona Cerniauskaite

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Mrs Grose

Hayley Meth

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Peter Quint (silent)

Alexandre Allix

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Piano

Liz Marcus

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A young governess has recently arrived at her new place of employment, a large country house with extensive grounds. Despite some unsettling moments, she is happy to be there. Suddenly she sees a strange face high in a tower. Who could it be? The housekeeper tells her it must have been Peter Quint, a former estate employee, who abused the governess’ charges as well as the governess’ predecessor. And not only that, Quint is not alive anymore. The governess vows to protect her charges from this predatory ghost.

 

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Mozart Die Zauberflöte

Act 1 Trio, Act 2 Aria, Act 1 Duet (in German)

 

Monostatos

Alexandre Allix

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Pamina

Mengyixuan Qi

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Papageno

Matias Carbonetti-Schwanek

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Piano

Niall Townley

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Pamina has attempted to escape from the evil Sarastro’s castle but Sarastro’s trusted henchman, Monostatos, has recaptured her and now wishes her harm. He tells of his frustration at the lack of love in his life and how he feels entitled to Pamina’s affection. Papageno arrives looking for Pamina – he and Monostatos terrify each other. Recognising Pamina, Papageno tells her he is travelling with a Prince who is in love with her. He is sad because nobody loves him. Pamina and Papageno extol the virtues of love and marriage.

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Handel Giulio Cesare

Act 1 Duet (in Italian)

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Cornelia

Becky Haisell

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Sesto

Georgina Cohu

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Guards (silent)

Max Robbins

Annabel Bigland

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Piano

Linnhe Robertson

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Egypt: following the assassination of Pompey, a powerful Roman, the Egyptian Pharaoh Tolomeo has ordered the imprisonment of Pompey’s family, the Roman matron Cornelia and her young son, Sesto. She and Sesto bid each other a sad farewell as Egyptian guards separate them – they are born to weep and sigh, no hope is left.

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Massenet Cendrillon

Act 1 Opening Scene (in French)

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Pandolphe

Matias Carbonetti-Schwanek

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Lucette (silent)

Ona Cerniauskaite

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Madame de la Haltière

Cecilia Cole

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Noémie

Kayla Raschke

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Dorothée

Eva Stone-Barney

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Piano

Alicia Hernández Huebra

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Pandolphe wishes he were the master of his own house – but his new second wife and her two abrasive daughters dominate him so much he cannot stop them from turning his own blood-daughter Lucette into a servant. The step-mother and her daughters prepare to attend a royal ball – if they behave correctly then the Prince will surely fall in love with one of the girls at first sight! They rehearse and their hopes and ambitions grow.

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Bizet Carmen

Act 3 Card Trio (in French)

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Frasquita

Mengyixuan Qi

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Mercédès

Georgina Cohu

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Carmen

Hayley Meth

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Piano

Mark Zihing Zang

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Carmen’s friends are trying to tell their fortunes with playing cards. One says she sees a dashing young lover in her future, the other says she sees an old, rich lover who will die and leave everything to her. Carmen already knows what the cards will say for her – some people are born lucky but not her. For Carmen, the cards can only foretell her inevitable death.

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Mark Adamo Little Women

Act 1 Scene 2 (in English)

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Meg

Kayla Raschke

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John Brooke

Matias Carbonetti-Schwanek

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Jo

Becky Haisell

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Piano

Niall Townley

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Meg’s engagement to John Brooke has just been announced. They cannot wait to be married but will have to be patient a little longer. Meg’s sister Jo is upset the bond is being broken apart, she doesn’t want things to change. Meg tries to explain that change is natural, that they all have to grow up, that they will all eventually feel the joy of true love – but Jo is having none of it.

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Britten Albert Herring

Act 1 Scene 2 (in English)

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Sid

Matias Carbonetti-Schwanek

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Albert

Max Robbins

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Nancy

Eva Stone-Barney

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Piano

Mark Zihing Zang

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A sexual awakening begins: Sid, the butcher’s boy, encourages shy Albert, the grocery shop assistant, to spread his wings and enjoy the pleasures of life – especially when it comes to finding a girlfriend. Albert is fearful of what his mother might think of this – she’s very strict. Local girl Nancy comes to the shop – she and Sid fix a date for that evening. Albert eavesdrops on them, getting a glimpse of a more liberated life about which he knows nothing. Perhaps Sid’s right, maybe there is more to life than running a village grocery store for his Mum ...

 

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Puccini Suor Angelica

Principessa Scene and Aria (in Italian)

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La Zia Principessa

Cecilia Cole

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Suor Angelica

Ona Cerniauskaite

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Piano

Linnhe Robertson

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Angelica has been a nun for the last seven years, following the birth of her illegitimate son, who was taken from her without her ever seeing him. Her aristocratic family sent her to a convent to conceal the scandal. Her aunt, the intimidating Principessa (Angelica’s legal guardian since the death of her parents many years before) unexpectedly arrives at the convent with a legal document for Angelica to sign. She is still very bitter at Angelica’s behaviour, and says even Angelica’s mother, long dead, would condemn her. The document transfers Angelica’s large inheritance to her younger sister. Her sister needs the fortune as a huge dowry for her forthcoming marriage – this is the only way the family’s reputation can be restored. Angelica asks for news of her son – she has been told nothing since his birth. The Principessa reluctantly reveals that the boy died two years ago – nothing could be done to save him. Angelica signs the document and the Principessa leaves. Angelica mourns her beloved son, seeing a vision of him coming down from heaven to be with her, and she vows to join him in the afterlife.

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Lecocq Doctor Miracle

Quartet (in English translation)

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Le Podestà (the Mayor)

Matias Carbonetti-Schwanek

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Véronique (his second wife)

Georgina Cohu

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Laurette (his daughter)

Annabel Bigland

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Captain Silvio (disguised as the servant Pasquin)

Alexandre Allix

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Piano

Liz Marcus

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It turns out an omelette can be the way to a woman’s heart! A dashing young soldier, Captain Silvio, disapproved of by an over-protective father who is also the local mayor, has disguised himself as a servant to get near to Laurette, the girl he loves and the Mayor’s daughter. He is asked to make breakfast for the family and has prepared an omelette, maybe the best omelette in the world! The family praises the omelette but when they try it, they start to choke – it’s disgusting! They try it again – horrible! But what is the importance of the foul-tasting omelette? It turns out it’s all part of Silvio’s cunning plan to win Laurette’s hand ...

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Synopses by John Ramster