2010

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A Special Community Opera
created for the village of Tilford by the TBS.

Sponsored by CCA Galleries Ltd,
part of the Trevellyan Group based in Tilford

The World Premiere of the opera Nigel of Tilford took place on 12 June 2010 in All Saints Church, Tilford. With a libretto written by local author and playwright Rosemary Wisbey and music composed by Neil and Satoko Luck, this was a unique work that brought together a wonderful mix of professional and local amateur musicians and actors.

Children from the two local schools took part and provided the backdrop of a story that began at the beginning of the 20^th century, when local author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, happens to stop by the church during Empire Day rehearsals. He relates an apocryphal story to the children of a local boy called Nigel Loring who, following a visit by the King to Tilford, has a series of adventures that take him to 14^th century wars in France and bring him back in glory as Sir Nigel to marry the lovely Lady Mary. He encounters villains and pirates as well as the king’s enemies. This is based on a novel by Conan Doyle.

Every aspect of this production was outstanding – the quality of the piece itself, the composed music, the musicianship of the performers and the professionalism of the stage direction. Key singing roles were taken by professional opera singers and the small orchestra comprised professional players.

The opera moved from scene to scene with a rich mixture of humour and pathos. There was strong drama in several fight scenes when Nigel and his friends had conflicts which, of course, they always won. Fight direction was outstanding and extremely well performed by all involved.

A mythical being was contrived when a story is related concerning the fabled “Worm of the Wey” that terrified local inhabitants. The arrival of a dragon-like worm carried by screaming children caused great amusement to the large audiences that attended packed performances.

The casting of this production was excellent – the heroes in the form of Nigel and Lady Mary were a delight in all respects and there was no weak link in any of the other main parts or supporting roles. The chorus transformed itself to meet the needs of all the crowds required at each point of the story and sang well throughout. Musical direction by Laurence Cummings was nothing short of brilliant and David Wylde brought superb direction to the production supported by the creativity that went into the costuming and props.

This wonderful community production was the brainchild of the departing Musical Director of the society, Laurence Cummings. It was his parting gift to the society, in a form that will never be forgotten by the hundreds of people who came to the performances or were involved in its production. The debt of the Tilford Bach Society to Laurence, for about 10 years of involvement in the society’s activities, is huge. The TBS still hopes to see him often in his new honorary position of joint President of the Tilford Bach Society.

Ian Sargeant

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Cast & Credits

click here

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Press Report

click here

Displayed by kind permission of the Farnham Herald

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Photographs

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Behind the scenes…

Neil Luck (one of the composers)	Laurence Cummings (Musical Director)	LtoR: Director David Wylde with Production Manager Bob Cray
Librettist & Chorus Member Rosemary Wisbey with TBS Chairman Peter Wisbey

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Photographs by Chris Christodoulou
www.photochris.co.uk

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