An Opera for Tilford 

 


Concept

A Community Opera is to be staged in All Saints Church Tilford in June 2010, to celebrate the village and its history and to enable local people to join in a tradition of music for which the village is famous. It will form a special additional part of the Festival of Music that the Tilford Bach Society presents in the church every summer.

The cast for the Opera will be drawn from the community, with lead parts sung by professionals and a chorus that includes the children of Waverley Abbey School and All Saints School.

Local drama societies and choirs will provide the “characters” in the story and the music will be played by a professional orchestra conducted by the TBS Director of Music, Laurence Cummings, a musician of international repute.

The story behind the Opera is based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel Sir Nigel, an historical romance set in Tilford in the Middle Ages, for which a libretto has already been written by local writer Rosemary Wisbey.

Theme of the Opera

In 1906 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published Sir Nigel, an historical romance set in medieval Tilford.  He was living at Hindhead and enjoyed bicycling around the local countryside, incorporating it into much of his writing.

In the operatic adaptation, Nigel of Tilford is set in 1904 when Conan Doyle visits Tilford and tells the story of his future literary hero to a group of schoolchildren.  As the tale unfolds, with the eager assistance of the children, it comes to life in a series of dramatic, romantic and comic scenes. 

We meet the dreaded Wild Man of Puttenham and his wily wife, face the horrors of the Worm of the Wey and feast with the King of England.  With the help of his faithful friend Samkin, the impoverished Nigel of Tilford becomes Sir Nigel and is able to restore the family fortunes and marry the beautiful Lady Mary.

Finance, Sponsorship etc

TBS is also inviting sponsors for the opera. It will be produced to a very high standard, with professional singers in the principal roles and a professional stage director. Musical direction will be by Laurence Cummings whose conducting experience includes productions at Glyndebourne, ENO, South Bank and Barbican. In addition to the professional stage director, other professionals will be engaged.

All sponsors will be publicly acknowledged (unless they prefer anonymity). For details on how to sponsor this opera, please contact the society’s treasurer Mr Ian Sargeant.

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Special Fundraising Events

Three Sunday events in support of

the Tilford Bach Society’s opera project

 

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Sunday 7th February at 3pm

 

MUSIC FOR THREE GUITARS

 

Richard Veitch, Chris Smith and Ben Pugsley

in a programme of music spanning four centuries

 

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Sunday 28th February at 3pm

 

SHAKESPEARE SONGS

 

Award-winning soprano Alexandra Kidgell and accompanist Elizabeth Burgess present songs inspired by Shakespeare’s works, interspersed with readings from the plays.

 

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Sunday 28th March at 3pm

 

Caryl Griffith and Jeffrey Bell perform

 

DUETS AT TWELVE PACES

 

Dramatic readings from the works of George Bernard Shaw

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All these events take place at Farnham Methodist Church, South Street

Admission £7 including light refreshments. 
To book phone 01252 721605 or email tilford.opera@btinternet.com

 

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Auditions

 

Join the Open auditions for speaking parts and chorus
Come along to All Saints Church, Tilford on one of these dates:


Wednesday 10th February at 7.00 - 9.30 pm

Saturday      14th February at 2.00 -5.00pm

Sunday        7th March at 2.00 - 5.00pm

Wednesday 10th  March at 2.00 - 5.00pm

 

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