Traviata at Kirkcaldy
Scotland’s Opera Bohemia returns to Kirkcaldy Old Kirk at 7.30pm on Saturday 27 August, with an exciting new production of Verdi’s La Traviata, featuring a star cast of professional young opera singers in Scotland. Kirkcaldy is not only one of Opera Bohemia’s regular venues – they have brought all our shows there – but it’s also the home town of their co-founder and director of this year’s production, Douglas Nairne.
Tickets are £15, £12 (conc), £6 (under-18) from 01592 741670 or 01592 596904 and available on-line at http://www.wegottickets.com/event/360537.
Please click the image for a flier with details, and spread the word. And why not check out their promotional video clip on YouTube!
Come and Sing with Paul Mealor
The Friends of the Caird Hall Organ are hosting a “Come and Sing with Paul Mealor” day on 17 September. Renowned for his compositions, particularly the Military Wives hit “Wherever you are” and the setting of “Ubi caritas” sung at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Paul is also a fantastic conductor.
Rehearsals will begin at 2.00 pm (with coffee and registration from 1.00pm). with a concert performance in the Caird Hall at 7.00pm. You’ll be performing Paul’s new “Jubilate Deo” anthem, premièred in Carnegie Hall, New York, last November, and that timeless favourite, Handel’s “Zadok the Priest”, before the main work, Fauré’s Requiem. All these will be accompanied by the Caird Hall’s fine Harrison and Harrison concert organ.
After the concert, there will be the chance to socialise with Paul and fellow choristers in the Caird Hall’s gallery bar. An application form is linked to the image, but note that applications close on 20 August.
Come and Sing The Sound of Music
Waverley Care are excited to be offering the opportunity to sing one of the classics of musical theatre, The Sound of Music, on Saturday 17 September, from 2:45pm-7:30pm at St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Edinburgh. This event is open to both music readers and non-music readers alike. You’ll practise the songs in rehearsal before joining up with a live band to sing through all of your favourites. “Fancy dress optional, but strongly encouraged!” All music provided.
This Come and Sing will be conducted by Ben Parry, whose infectious enthusiasm and love of musical theatre will ensure that this is an event simply not to be missed! For more details, click the image.
Congratulations, Jock!
Jock Headden, a loyal member of our Men’s Chorus for some twenty years, and only recently retired from the stage, was 90 on 5 July, and celebrated the 65th anniversary of his marriage to Audrey two days later. Read the report in the Dunfermline Press of 21 July which is linked to the photo.
Congratulations to them both, and many happy years continuing to support the Society as Friends!
[Thanks to the eagle-eyed Geoff for spotting this in the Press while the webmaster was away!]
Ruddigore auditions
’The auditions for our production in February 2017 of Ruddigore are being held on Mondays 29th August and 5th September. To book your slot, please e-mail auditions@dgass.org.uk (or phone Mary Alexander on 01383 737441). You’ll find details of what to prepare and how to tackle the role on the Auditions page.
If you want a complete set of the material Rae has written (synopsis; character details; audition dialogue for all the parts), click this link.
Rehearsals start
Our chairman writes:
Hi Everyone,
I trust the summer is going well for you. But wherever you are or whatever you’re doing, Ruddigore is just around the corner, as it were. Here are some details:
- We plan to start the main rehearsals on Wednesday August 24th (in Whitefield at 7.30 pm).
- We propose to hold auditions for principal parts on Monday August 29th and Monday September 5th – information at this link.
I’m looking forward to it, and hoping for a good turnout on the 24th.
George
Concerts – success and sadness
We enjoyed ourselves last Wednesday and Sunday … though sometimes during the preparation it had felt that we would never get a concert together! So thanks to Douglas for leading us, and special thanks to Carol as Assistant MD for helping us get there, both individually and as a group. There were some exquisite moments, such as the arrangement of Fields of Gold sung by an ensemble (pictured above). And the selection from Les Miserables was much appreciated: John and Kat sparred superbly in “Master of the House”, and Ian Osborne enjoyed giving consolation to Carol!
As a reminder of what we sang, and who sang what, you can download the programmes at these links: Clermiston; Oakley. As another momento, we hope that a DVD of the Oakley concert will be available from Dave.
But we were very sad to say goodbye and good luck to Robbie Milner, whose last appearance this was. Always self-effacing – and usually invisible, tucked away on the edge of the singers! – his was a key role in the concerts, and his patient support and good humour have been invaluable during rehearsals over the past five years. So warm applause greeted the presentation made to him before the concert. Robbie leaves in late August to start his course at McGill, and takes with us our best wishes for his studies and his future career. We’ll look out for his name in lights!