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Members may wish to know about the following event not organised by the Society:
Friday 16 May 2008 and Saturday 20 May 2008
The Stavanger Symphony Orchestra of Norway with its chief conductor, Steven Sloane, will give two complete concert performances of Tristan und Isolde in the Stavanger Concert Hall on Friday 16 & Tuesday 20 May, 2008.
The cast includes: Robert Gambill (Tristan), Janice Baird (Isolde), Christopher Robertson (Kurwenal), Alexandra Petersamer (Brangäne), Carsten Stabell(Mark), Paul McNamara (Melot) & Paul O’Neill (shepherd and sailor).
Paul McNamara was the winner of the 2000 Bayreuth Bursary.
Further information: http://www.sso.no/
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Thursday 22 May 2008
54th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
to be held at 7.00 p.m.
at
THE SWEDENBORG HALL
20-21 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2TH
entrance in Barter Street
Any item for discussion at the meeting must be included on the agenda. If you wish a specific item to be discussed please inform the secretary, David Waters, in writing by 8 May. David can be contacted at 5 Ashley Close, Welwyn Garden City AL8 7LH or by e-mail at: David_M_Waters@btinternet.com.
Admission to the AGM will be free but restricted to those showing a 2008 membership card.
At the AGM there will be a resolution to make minor changes to the Constitution. The proposed ammendement are:
The constitution is available on the Society’s website: www.wagner society.org/constitution1.htm. Members without internet access who need a copy of the Constitution should contact David Waters.
The AGM will be followed by a refreshment break and, at approximately 8.30 p.m., it is scheduled that there will be a short recital by Elaine McKrill (soprano) and Kelvin Lim (piano).
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Wednesday 4th June 2008
A talk by Donald Arthur entitled
Hans Hotter: an Operatic Giant
based on his new biography of Hotter, and fully illustrated by CD and DVD extracts.
Donald has given this talk several times during an extensive American tour, and received much praise from the Wagner Societies in New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago and others.
Swedenborg Hall,
20 Bloomsbury Way
London WC1A 2TH
Nearest Underground Station Holborn (Piccadilly and Central lines)
7.00pm wine, 7.30pm event
Tickets £10
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Tuesday 1st July 2008
"Reviewing Siegfried".
Talk by Roderick Swanston "Reviewing Siegfried".
- following his controversial review of Siegfried on BBC radio, Roderick
stands by his judgements and the points he made. He will consider how a
reviewer goes about reviewing such a complex work, and tackle the challenging
question "What makes a good, even the best, Siegfried?"
- venue to be confirmed in the next few days, probably Swedenborg Hall.
- 7.00pm wine, talk at 7.30pm.
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Members may wish to know about the following event not organised by the Society:
COME AND PLAY
WAGNER’S RING CYCLE
PART IV
Götterdämmerung
31st August and 5th – 7th September 2008, Riley Smith Hall,
University of Leeds
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HAGEN |
John Anthony Cunningham |
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ALBERICH |
Nicholas Fowler |
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GUNTHER |
Charles Johnston |
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SIEGFRIED |
Jonathan Finney |
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BRUNNHILDE (Act I/II) |
Elaine McKrill |
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BRUNNHILDE (Prologue/Act III) |
Sarah Estill |
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WALTRAUTE |
Angela Fuller |
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GUTRUNE |
Victoria Sharp |
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1st Norn/Flosshilde Cover |
Jennifer Westwood |
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2nd Norn/Waltraute Cover |
Hannah Mason |
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3rd Norn/Woglinde Cover |
Heather Hunter |
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Woglinde/3rd Norn Cover |
Judith Gardner Jones |
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Wellgunde |
Diane Southern |
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Flosshilde/1st Norn Cover |
Anya Kubrick |
Conductor: Michael Williamson
33 Newlay Wood Rise, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4LY.
Telephone 0113 259 1391 Mobile 07802 417471
northernwagnerorchestra@hotmail.co.uk
www.northernwagnerorchestra.com
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Dates for your autumn diary:
Thursday 25th September. Robin Hobbes (Chair, Manchester Wagner
Society) "A Psychotherapist's view of Die Walkure" illustrated by DSVD
extracts from the Chereau Ring. Full details in the next Wagner News.
Friday 7th - Sunday 9th November. Residential course to be lead by
Roderick Swanston "Wagner in Time and Place". This exciting new development
for the society is still in planning stages. Roderick is working on a
fascinating exploration of Wagner's development in relation to the political
and intellectual events and ideas of his time. He will spend the weekend
examing this "dangerous citizen with a price on his head, who was eventually
sponsored by a failing king, and entertained royal heads of Europe at
Bayreuth". Full details and pricing structure will appear in the next Wagner
News.
Announcement: I have obtained a copy of the full-length "director's cut" of
Tony Palmer's epic biographical film "Wagner". I plan to show it in one day,
starting mid-morning, finishing mid-evening, with three intervals for
refreshments. Most members will know the shorter version of the movie, but
have probably not seen the full-length version. Altogether this filmic
marathon will take about 12 hours. The challenge is to find a Central
London venue to do this on a big screen on a Saturday or Sunday! All
suggestions welcomed! Please contact Jeremy Rowe directly if you can help.
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Tickets
for all London events of the Wagner Society (except where indicated) are bookable in
advance by letter now from the Ticket Events Secretary,
3, Howard Gate, Letchworth Garden
City, Herts SG6 2BQ
Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope when requesting tickets and please make cheques payable to 'The Wagner Society'.
e-mail: eventssecretary(at)wagnersociety.org
Non-members may purchase day membership in order to attend an event. Day membership will be available on the door for £2 (which may be redeemed against full membership) Please check in advance for availability with the events secretary, as most events are sold out before they happen.
To obtain tickets non members can e-mail eventssecretary(at)wagnersociety.org
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MEETINGS AND EVENTS
We are always pleased to receive feedback from members about Society meetings and events. Such information is very useful when we make our plans. In particular we would be grateful to receive your views on the:
Please send your comments to: Jeremy Rowe (Programme Director) Flat 20, 33, Lancaster Gate, London W2 3LP
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Members who attend events regularly will be aware that we have been trying a number of new venues. From now onwards, we will be using three venues in Central London. The following information clarifies where they are and the situation regarding accessibility:
Portland Place School, 56 and 58 Portland Place, London, W1B 1NJ
For smaller meetings we will use the library, which is on the ground floor and has easy access; for larger meetings we will be in the main hall, which is on the first floor; toilets are also on first floor level; refreshments are served on the ground floor. There is one small step at the front door, but no other steps to the ground floor; for the first floor there is a tall flight of stairs.
Portland Place School is on the right when walking north on Portland Place. This is the same side as the BBC. For a while, the nearest station will be Regent’s Park, but this station is closed for refurbishment and replacement of the lifts; during the closure the nearest tubes are Oxford Circus and Great Portland Street. There is good parking with no charge after 6.30pm in the Portland Place area.
For study days we will use the “Waiting Room” at Queen’s College. This historical room on the ground floor, used by Queen Victoria when she visited the school, is equipped with an excellent piano. There are two steps at the front door, but no others to the ground floor. Toilets are situated on the ground floor with no steps. Refreshments are served in the basement area, accessed by stairs.
Queen’s College is on the left of Harley Street when walking north from Wigmore Street, easily spotted by the big green flag, which flies over the door. The nearest tubes are Bond Street and Oxford Circus. Parking is free after 6.30pm; car drivers should note that Harley Street is one-way heading south, access from Marylebone Road.
There is good parking with no charge after 6.30pm in this area, but parking charges apply on Saturdays 8.30-18.30(Please note that on days when the Waiting Room is not available, Study days will switch to Portland Place School)
The Swedenborg Hall, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2TH (access from Barter Street)
Many members will be very familiar with the Swedenborg Hall, which has been used by the society for some time. The main hall is up six steps at the front door, and toilets are situated in the basement for gentlemen and on the first floor for ladies, both accessed by flights of stairs.
The nearest tube is Holborn; the easiest route to walk is from Holborn via Bloomsbury Court to Barter Street. Parking is available after 6.30pm (and unusually good for motorcycles!)
Members attending meetings who would like help with access will be very welcome and should contact Jeremy Rowe, Programme Director, in advance if possible.
Tickets
for all London events of the Wagner Society (except where indicated) are bookable in
advance by letter now from the Ticket Events Secretary,
3, Howard Gate, Letchworth Garden
City, Herts SG6 2BQ
Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope when requesting tickets and please make cheques payable to 'The Wagner Society'.
e-mail: eventssecretary(at)wagnersociety.org
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Non-members may purchase day membership in order to attend an event. Day membership will be available on the door for £2 (which may be redeemed against full membership) Please check in advance for availability with the events secretary, as most events are sold out before they happen.
To obtain tickets non members can e-mail eventssecretary(at)wagnersociety.org
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We are proud to advise members that Amanda Echelaz has been awarded by the friends awards of Holland Park Opera the title "Best Female in a Leading Role" for her role in Manon Lescaut
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The
Mastersingers &
These
photographs (© Peter West), and many more, can be seen on the Mastersingers website: www.mastersingers.org.uk |
The
Mastersingers Company was formed in 1998 by singer Malcolm Rivers for the promotion of the
operas of Richard Wagner and for the development of young Wagner singers working alongside
distinguished and experienced exponents of Wagner’s work. The
Wagner Society has for many years been supporting young artists, through bursaries and
awards for lessons and coaching. It has also funded a number of staged and concert
performances to give young artists the opportunity of appearing before the public. The
Society has now formally acknowledged this part of its activities by setting up a Young
Artists Programme that will carry forward the work of training young artists and providing
them with guidance and assistance. Malcolm
Rivers, Artistic Director of The Mastersingers, is co-director of the Wagner Society Young
Artists Programme. Working
with The Mastersingers the programme has so far seen two very successful collaborations
with the Rehearsal Orchestra, a performance of scenes from Das Rheingold, Act III of Die Walküre and a fascinating event combining a
performance of Wagner’s songs with an exploration through words and music of his
stormy relationship with Hector Berlioz. Plans
include further collaborations with the Rehearsal Orchestra – on Siegfried Act III and Götterdämmerung Act III, together with staged
performances at the Royal Academy of Music. |
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The Mastersingers receives no grants or subsidy and therefore relies for its funding on private donations. We are always grateful to receive donations from anyone who wishes to help us to continue our work of supporting and developing the next generation of Wagner performers. If you wish to offer your support, please contact Malcolm at: The Mastersingers, 44 Merry Hill Mount, Bushey Herts WD23 1DJ tel/fax: 020 8950 4651 email: malcolm(at)mastersingers.org.uk
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The Wagner Society is a registered charity (Number - 266383)
