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An open letter from the chairman of the Society to the membership

25 February 2010

"Dear Members
 
Now that it is officially announced that James Rutherford  is singing Hans Sachs at Bayreuth this Summer, I wish to broadcast this news to the membership.
 
James is to be our first Goodall Scholar and has frequently thanked the Mastersingers and The Society for our unfailing support in this area of his career, since we first supported his efforts in winning the Seattle International Wagner competition. He is also repeating the role at the Vienna Staatsoper and other major European houses. Speight Jenkins has also just emailed me his congratulations to James and for us.
 
In addition, we can also now mention that in addition to singing Brünnhilde at Longborough along with another of our young artists Andrew Rees as Siegmund, Alwyn Mellor is singing the same role in Seattle in the 2012/13 season and is described by Speight as quite wonderful.
 
Amanda Echalaz is also now performing Major roles in nearly every house in Europe and the USA and Elaine McKrill is furthering her career in the role of Isolde at Genoa in a few weeks time. This all speaks for itself.
 
As Artistic Director of The Mastersingers and as Chair of the Wagner Society I am most indebted to all of our supporters in this field of young artists and hope that these eminent recent successes will encourage even more members and non-members alike to support the latest plea for funding in the latest Wagner News or contact me direct at mastersingers@rivers44.fsnet.co.uk or call 020 8950 4651.
 
Very many thanks,

Malcolm Rivers"

 

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Spring/Summer 2010

 

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13-15 August 2010

         

                                     Reg. charity no. 1076508                          

THE MASTERSINGERS

present

An evening of Wagner Monologues by

Sir John Tomlinson

 

 

THE RODD, PRESTEIGNE, Powys LD8 2LL

 

Saturday 14thAugust 8.00 pm

£12 as part of The Sidney Nolan weekend of Wagner

Sir John Tomlinson is one of the greatest Wagnerians of all time and appeared at the Bayreuth Festival for eighteen consecutive seasons from 1988, as Wotan, the Wanderer, King Marke, Titurel, Gurnemanz, Hagen and Holländer.  We are very grateful that he has very kindly agreed to replace Amanda Echalaz in the exciting programme for this weekend and give a concert of Wagner monologues accompanied by Kelvin Lim.

Tel:  01544 260149   Email: info@sidneynolantrust.org

 

BOOKING FORM

 

AUG 15 RECITAL at 12.00

 

………tickets @ £8 each            £……….

 

AUG 15 MASTERCLASS at 14.30

 

………tickets @ £12 each           £………

 

                            SUB TOTAL £………

 

BOOK ALL FIVE MUSIC EVENTS

and SAVE £9!:

SEASON TICKET for all above events (excluding buffet dinner)

 

……….tickets @ £45 each          £……….

 

AUG 15 GRAND VICTORIAN BUFFET

              DINNER at 19.30

 

    ……tickets @ £20 each…       .£……....

 

 

GRAND TOTAL                        £……..

 

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO:

The Sidney Nolan Trust

AND INCLUDE A STAMPED ADDRESSED

ENVELOPE FOR RETURN OF YOUR TICKETS

 

Subject to availability, tickets may be purchased on the door but you are strongly advised to book in advance in

order to avoid disappointment.

 

As part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the founding of The Sidney Nolan Trust in 1985, The Mastersingers is delighted to present an exceptional weekend of music featuring the works of Richard Wagner. A series of recitals and Masterclasses will be given with a backdrop of paintings by Sir Sidney Nolan in The Barn at The Rodd, in Powys. One of Australia’s greatest artists, Sir Sidney made his home here in the outstanding natural beauty of the Welsh Marches and established a Trust for the purpose of supporting the work and development of creative artists and musicians.

 

Distinguished contributors to the weekend include Sir John Tooley, formerly General Director of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Dame Anne Evans and Sir John Tomlinson, two of Britain’s most famous and internationally renowned Wagnerian singers, and Neil Howlett, who for seventeen years sang leading baritone roles at the English National Opera and is now highly regarded as a vocal coach.

 

 Young Artists from the Goodall Academy Alwyn Mellor (soprano), Magdalen Ashman (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Rees (tenor), Michael Davies (baritone), Stuart Pendred (bass) and Julian Black (piano) will be put through their paces in Masterclasses of Wagner’s music from his cycle of four operas Der Ring des Nibelungen and from his first mature work Der fliegende Holländer.

 

To conclude the weekend, wine conoisseur Richard Black will present a wine-tasting before the grand Victorian buffet dinner at the beautifully restored Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne.

 

 

THE MASTERSINGERS

present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAGNER

 

 

at

THE RODD, PRESTEIGNE.

 

 

 

 

13th, 14th, 15th August

 

 

 

THE SIDNEY NOLAN TRUST

25th. Anniversary Year

 

 

 

                               

Reg. charity no. 1076508

               

Reg. charity no. 362945

 

PROGRAMME

 

FRIDAY AUGUST 13

 

19.00  RECEPTION to welcome guests for the weekend, followed by Sir John Tooley in conversation with Gary Kahn. The former General Director of the Royal Opera House discusses productions of Wagner’s RING under Rudolf Kempe, Sir Georg Solti and Sir Colin Davis. Illustrated with recordings by these distinguished conductors.

Cash bar serving wine will be available.

 

SATURDAY AUGUST 14

 

From 10.00 The Barn will be open for viewing an exhibition of works by Sir Sidney Nolan. Free entry.

 

14.30  WAGNER MASTERCLASS

Dame Anne Evans and Neil Howlett work with Alwyn Mellor, Magdalen Ashman, Andrew Rees and Stuart Pendred on scenes from Das Rheingold, Die Walküre and Götterdämmerung. This is a rare opportunity to watch how a singer is coached in the interpretation of a solo role, and how the experience of one generation of outstanding artists is passed on to another.

Pianists: Julian Black and Kelvin Lim.

2 hrs 30 minutes inc. interval.

 

20.00 RECITAL .Sir John Tomlinson.

          “Wagner Monologues”

The greatest Bass that we have ever produced sings especially for this weekend to support our work for future generations.  Kelvin Lim. Piano

1 hr 30 minutes inc. interval

 

 

PROGRAMME

 

SUNDAY AUGUST 15

 

12.00 RECITAL Kelvin Lim (piano) performs Franz Liszt’s formidable transcriptions of music from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Tannhäuser and Der fliegende Holländer.

I hr, no interval.

 

14.30   WAGNER MASTERCLASS

Sir John Tomlinson works with Michael Davies and Magdalen Ashman on scenes from Der fliegende Holländer and Das Rheingold, and Dame Anne Evans coaches Alwyn Mellor on Brünnhilde’s Immolation scene from Götterdämmerung. Don’t miss this fascinating insight into the process of preparation for a role in Wagner’s physically demanding operas.

Pianists: Julian Black and Kelvin Lim.

2hrs 30 minutes inc. interval.

 

19.30 GRAND VICTORIAN BUFFET DINNER with wine tasting under the expert guidance of Richard Black at the Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne. Join our guest artists and performers for a feast of Victorian fayre authentically prepared from original recipes for this special occasion.

3 hrs, pre-booked attendance only.

 

The Goodall Academy exists to provide advanced training for singers with dramatic voices, with particular emphasis on the German repertoire and the operas of Richard Wagner. If you are able to support this programme or wish for further information please contact the Artistic Director Malcolm Rivers at: malcolmpk@rivers44.fsnet.co.uk

or call either 020 8950 4651 or 07811 889785

 

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BOOKING FORM

 

 

TO:  Box Office

        The Sidney Nolan Trust

           The Rodd
          Presteigne
          Powys LD8 2LL

 

Tel:  01544 260149
Fax: 01544 267362

Email: info@sidneynolantrust.org

 

NAME……………………………………………………..

 

ADDRESS………………………………………………..

 

                 ………………………………………………..

 

                …………………………………………………

 

                …………………………………………………

 

POSTCODE………………………………………………

 

TELEPHONE…………………………………………….

 

 

AUG 13 RECEPTION at 19.00

 

………tickets @ £10 each                       £……….

 

AUG 14 MASTERCLASS at 14.30

 

……….tickets @ £12 each                    £……….

 

AUG 14 RECITAL at 20.00

 

…….…tickets @ £12 each                    £……….

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 22nd September 2010

Hitler's Siegfried

Ross Alley will discuss the life and work of Max Lorenz, including excerpts from Lorenz's performance in Siegfried Act 1, recorded in Buenos Aires in 1938,

followed by the film "Hitler's Siegfried" by Eric Schultz and Claus Wischmann.

 

The Sixth Form Centre of Portland Place School,

143 Great Portland Street, top floor (access by lift).

London, W1W 6QN.

http://www.portland-place.co.uk/

Wine at 7.00pm, talk starts 7.30pm.

Tickets £12

 

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Tuesday 23rd November 2010

 

Wagner Upstairs and Downstairs

A talk by Chris Walton about the Siegfried Idyll.

The evening will included the premiere of a new DVD of the Siegfried Idyll recorded in the Tribschen Villa.

Tribschen Villa web site: http://www.richard-wagner-museum.ch/en/index/index.php

 

The Sixth Form Centre of Portland Place School,

143 Great Portland Street, top floor (access by lift)

London, W1W 6QN.

http://www.portland-place.co.uk/

Wine at 7.15pm, talk starts 7.45pm (please note slightly later start time)

Tickets £12

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Announcement: We have obtained a copy of the full-length "director's cut" of Tony Palmer's epic biographical film "Wagner".  We 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

 

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Would you like to be contacted by e-mail?

Sometimes we would like to draw members attention to developments in the events calendar by e-mail.  Two examples come to mind: when Donald Arthur’s presentation on ‘Katharina Wagner’s Baptism by Fire’ was cancelled at very short notice, and when some incorrect contact details were given out about booking Aldeburgh May 2009; it would also be useful to send membership reminders by e-mail.

If you would like to be contacted by e-mail by the Wagner Society would you please send your name and e-mail details to the Secretary, David Waters. David can be contacted at:  secretary(at)wagnersociety.org 

See Example below:

Booking has just opened for the live relay of Die Walküre from La Scala to the Odeon Covent Garden on December 7th at 16.00.  I saw the live relay of Das Rheingold there earlier this year – the technical relay and the standard of singing was excellent but I did not care for the balletic production.  Tickets are £19.50 + 0.75 booking fee.

https://www.odeon.co.uk/fanatic/booking-interactive/s81/p84420000023YXLWMNC/

Direttore  Daniel Barenboim

Regia  Guy Cassiers

Scene  Guy Cassiers e Enrico Bagnoli

Costumi  Tim van Steenbergen

Luci  Enrico Bagnoli

Video design  Arjen Klerkx e Kurt D’Haeseleer

Coreografia  Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

Siegmund  Simon O’Neill

Hunding  John Tomlinson

Wotan  René Pape

Sieglinde  Waltraud Meier

Brünnhilde  Nina Stemme

Fricka  Ekaterina Gubanova

Gerhilde  Danielle Halbwachs

Ortlinde  Carola Höhn

Waltraute  Yvonne Fuchs

Schwertleite  Anaik Morel

Helmwige  Susan Foster

Siegrune  Lean Sandel-Pantaleo

Gringerde  Nicole Piccolomini

Rossweisse  Simone Schröder

 

Act 2 of Tristan will form the second part of the Prom on Sunday August 1st relayed live on Radio 3

Berlioz Romeo and Juliet – Love Scene (18 mins)

interval

Wagner Tristan und Isolde – Act 2 (70 mins)  (concert performance; sung in German)

Violeta Urmana Isolde

Ben Heppner Tristan

Franz-Josef Selig King Mark

Sarah Connolly Brangäne

Timothy Robinson Melot

Henk Neven Kurwenal

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Sir Simon Rattle conductor

 

There are photos of the forthcoming Bayreuth Lohengrin and (if you look at previous posts) news that Klaus Florian Vogt will take over the role next year from Jonas Kaufmann on 

 

 

Kind regards

David

 

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:

 

  • types of events that you prefer

  • times and days of the week that are the most convenient

  • venues you prefer

  • the maximum ticket price you are prepared to pay

 

Please send your comments to:

Jeremy Rowe (Programme Director) Flat 20, 33, Lancaster Gate, London W2 3LP

 

EVENT VENUES AND ACCESS INFORMATION

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:

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Portland Place School, 56 and 58 Portland Place, London, W1B 1NJ and The Sixth Form Centre, 5th Floor, 143 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 6QN.

http://www.portland-place.co.uk/

 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 main school buildings are on the right when walking north on Portland Place. This is the same side as the BBC. The nearest station is Regent’s Park, (Bakerloo line) also close by are stations at Oxford Circus and Great Portland Street.(Various lines) There is good parking with no charge after 6.30pm in the Portland Place area.

Portland Place School sixth form centre is around the corner from the main school buildings on Portland Place. One proceeds north towards Regent's Park then take the first left (5 meters distance) and proceed two streets down to Great Portland Street, then turn right. The Sixth Form centre is about 30 meters down the street. There is level entrance to the building then take the lift to to the 5th floor.

 The nearest station is Regent’s Park, (Bakerloo line) also close by are stations at Oxford Circus and Great Portland Street.(Various lines) There is good parking with no charge after 6.30pm in the Portland Place area.

(It is in the Congestion Charge Zone, hours 7.00-18.00 Monday to Friday)

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THE LONDON WELSH CENTRE,

157-163 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8UE

http://www.londonwelsh.org/english_files/welcome_english.htm

This year we are using The London Welsh Centre for our President's Day celebration event incorporating the Bayreuth Bursary.

The Centre is situated at the mid point of the Gray's Inn Road street just north of the junction with Guilford Street.

Nearest underground stations are Russell Square (Piccadilly line-zone One) and Kings Cross (Circle, Hammersmith, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines-Zone One) and Chancery lane.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Centre, which has disabled access (one step but if that is a problem please contact the Centre to arrange a step-free access), is roughly equidistant from Russell Square, Chancery Lane and Kings Cross tube stations. Buses 17, 45 and 46 run along Gray’s Inn Road, alight at the Guildford Road stop. The telephone number of the Centre is 0207 837 3722.

(It is in the Congestion Charge Zone, hours 7.00-18.00 Monday to Friday)

 

History of the Centre

The origins of the London Welsh Association date back to 1920 when an organisation ‘Young Wales’ was formed to give a focus for young Welsh people in London.  There was, however, no formal meeting place outside the various Welsh chapels.  Social gatherings  on Saturday evenings  at a couple of hotels owned by a successful Welsh businessman  demonstrated the real need for a meeting place of non-sectarian character for the younger members of the Community.    In 1931 a philanthropist,  Sir Howell J. Williams,  purchased premises in Mecklenburgh Square having frontage onto Grays Inn Road.  The building rapidly became the meeting place of the functions and committees of the various London Welsh societies and organisations, while at the same time serving as a club for the members of the Association taking advantage of the amenities provided.

The premises fronting on Grays Inn Road were completed later,  and opened in 1937, donated by Sir Howell J. Williams under a charitable Trust to provide a non-political and non-sectarian educational and cultural centre in London.

 The Trust’s objects include the promotion of knowledge and use of the Welsh language, the appreciation of literature, music and art and culture for the benefit of the Welsh community, and to provide an information bureau on matters concerning Wales and Welsh life in London.     It was the realisation of a long held dream of the benefactor to provide in London a permanent home for young men and women from Wales.   The new accommodation provided a spacious lounge and tea-room in panelled oak on the ground floor,  and on the upper  floor a billiard room and gymnasium.    The building was dedicated to the memory of those lost in the Great War (the first World War).

Ironically it was only two years  after the joyous opening ceremony took place that the country was again at war.   Use of the premises naturally declined when young men were enlisted and children evacuated.    During the period 1940-1946 the Centre became a Services Club providing beds and meals for those Welsh (and a few Canadian) military people passing through London.  It also catered for some entertainment such as dances and was used by a Welsh chapel for Sunday services when their own premises near the present Barbican site was bombed.   Despite extensive bombing in the area, the building at Grays Inn Road  remained unscathed throughout those turbulent years and was returned to its original use early in the post-war days, fostering a very successful Youth choir from 1953 and a prize winning  Drama Society.

Today the Centre is the base for three choirs, The London Welsh Chorale, The London Welsh Gwalia Male Choir and The London Welsh Male Voice Choir.   The Centre provides Welsh language classes and organises concerts by visiting choirs from Wales, book readings, discussion programmes, regular meetings of its Forum, and a variety of other entertainment.

A prestigious Young Welsh Singer competition is presented biennially at the Centre under the auspices of the London Welsh Trust.  This competition offers a valuable platform for young artists who may be attending the Colleges of Music in London,  Wales and beyond.   The young singers invariably go on to establish musical careers at a very high level.    The first competition of this type was held at the Centre in 1957 and was then known as the Festival Trophy competition.   Part of the prize was the opportunity to sing at the Royal Festival Hall Autumn Music Festival.    This competition was won by Gwyneth Jones (now Dame Gwyneth Jones).

In 1981 the competition was re-introduced  under the title ‘The London Welsh Young Singer of the Year’  and has been run biennially every since.   Many winners have gone on to represent Wales in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, the most recent being Natalya Romaniw.   This year’s competition  is  on  31st October.   The panel of adjudicators includes Dame Anne Evans,  whose brother John Evans instigated the competition.

Rita Clark

12 September 2009

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Queen’s College, 43-49 Harley Street, London, W1G 8BT

http://www.qcl.org.uk/

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 (It is in the Congestion Charge Zone, hours 7.00-18.00 Monday to Friday)

(Please note that on days when the Waiting Room is not available, Study days will switch to Portland Place School)

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The Swedenborg Hall, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2TH (access from Barter Street)

http://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

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!)

(It is in the Congestion Charge Zone, hours 7.00-18.00 Monday to Friday)

Members attending meetings who would like help with access will be very welcome and should contact Jeremy Rowe, Programme Director, in advance if possible.

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The Henry Wood Hall Trinity Church Square, London SE1 4HE.   

 http://www.hwh.co.uk/

 

Nearest tube Borough (Northern Line)

Members attending meetings who would like help with access will be very welcome and should contact Jeremy Rowe, Programme Director, in advance if possible.

 

 

 

Registered Charity Number 1076508

The Mastersingers & The Wagner Society Young Artists Programme

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.

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)

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