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The Wagner Society

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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 2010

 

 

 Wednesday 24th March 2010

 

PAUL DAWSON-BOWLING

 THE ANNUAL LECTURE

 

 

   

SIR GEORG SOLTI - HUNGARIAN DYNAMO

Fully illustrated with archive recordings

 

Swedenborg Hall,

20 Bloomsbury Way

London WC1A 2TH

    http://www.swedenborg.org.uk/

       Nearest Underground Station Holborn (Piccadilly and Central lines)

7.00pm wine, 7.30pm event,

Tickets £12 from the events secretary, see below.

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Tuesday 20th April 2010

 

Judy Gahagan

 

TOURS AROUND THE SOUL OF LUDWIG

 

An exploration of the relationship between King Ludwig and Wagner.

Portland Place School,

56 and 58 Portland Place,

London, W1B 1NJ

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

7.00pm wine, 7.30pm event,

Followed by a book signing by Judy Gahagan of her new book

Tickets £12

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Tuesday 5th May 2010

56th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 5 MAY 2010 AT 7.00 pm

Portland Place School, 56-58 Portland Place, London W1B 1NJ

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

AGENDA

1.           Apologies for absence.

2.           Minutes of previous AGM

3.           Chairman’s report

4.           Treasurer’s report

5.           Election of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee

6.           Election of Auditors

7.           Items notified to the Secretary in writing by members

8.           Any other business

9.           Close of meeting

Following a break for refreshments there will be a short recital by Rejieli Paulo

(Winner of Ralph Wells Competition for Female Dramatic Voices held in 2008)

with Kelvin Lim (piano)

 

There is no charge levied for paid up members of the Society

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Saturday 29 May 2010
 
 
Tannhauser Study Day

  

Paul Dawson-Bowling

 

09:30 Welcome coffee

 

10:00 First session

 

11:30 Coffee

 

12:00 Second session

 

13:30 Lunch – available locally or bring a packed lunch

 

14:30 Third session

 

16:00 Tea and disperse

Portland Place School,

56 and 58 Portland Place,

London, W1B 1NJ

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

 

Tickets £30
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Coming in June

 

Film:

Raising Valhalla

Further details to be announced

 

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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 opened for the BBCSO concerts at the Barbican.  Top price is only £24.  The season includes Tristan Prelude and Liebestod (Oct 1), Flying Dutchman overture (Oct 22) and Tannhaeuser Venusberg music (Dec 11 with Christine Brewer singing songs by Marx)  http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/series.asp?id=835

 

 

Simon Rees (WNO's dramaturg) will be talking on Die Meistersinger at a Birmingham Friends of WNO event on Thursday 17th June at the CBSO Centre Berkley Street, Birmingham at 2pm. Places on the event are limited to 50.  Details and application form can be reached by clicking here.   Incidentally there are still a few seats available for the Tuesday and Saturday performances July 6/10.  http://www.birminghamhippodrometickets.com/tickets/production.aspx?pid=10304

 

Jones-Rowe Opera Tours are offering a fully accompanied trip to the 2010 Los Angeles Ring Friday 28 May- Monday 7 June 2010. 

Enquiries to 020 7402 7494 or  07956 290 884 jonesroweopera@btopenworld.com  Web  www.jonesroweopera.org

Das Rheingold Saturday 29th May, Die Walkure Sunday 30th May, Christine Brewer recital Tuesday 1st June, Siegfried Thursday 3rd June, Götterdämmerung Sunday 6th June

James Conlon (conductor), Vitalij Kowaljow (Wotan), Graham Clark (Mime), Placido Domingo (Siegmund), Linda Watson (Brünnhilde), John Treleaven (Siegfried)

 

The Society’s Vice-President, Sir John Tomlinson, fresh from his triumph in The Gambler, is giving an unusual recital at St. John’s Smith Square on Sunday 14th March  020 7222 1061   www.sjss.org.uk

Britten Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo op.22 (First performance of version for bass voice), Wolf Drei Gedichte von Michelangelo, Shostakovich Suite on Verses of Michelangelo Buonarotti op.145 (original version for voice and piano)  

 

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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