Back in August we had our first masterclass with Mro. Marco Mencoboni as part of The Monteverdi Project. Monthly masterclasses were held specializing in baroque music. All this culminated in a baroque concert together with VIBE (Valletta International Baroqie Ensemble) on the 21st of December at St. Gregory’s Church, Żejtun. In this concert, presented by Teatru Manoel, a 14-piece orchestra performed together with The Monteverdi Project Vocal Ensemble under the baton of Mro. Marco Mencoboni.
Patience
A week has passed from the closing night of the operetta Patience. A summer of rehearsals culminated in a weekend of performances at the Salesian’s Theatre. This was my first role in an opera; that of Major Murgatroyd. With music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, this production was directed by Tama Matheson. The 9-piece orchestra was under the baton of Mro. Philip Walsh. Performed by TMYO & Guests, Patience was part of the Manoel Theatre’s Toi Toi Season 2017-2018.
Summer So Far
It’s been some time since I posted. After Le Nozze di Figaro was over, I started rehearsing for the next musical project, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. On the 9th May I was part of the Malta EU Presidency Choir, who together with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir we sang this beautiful symphony with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.
In the beginning of July rehearsals for Patience commenced; an opera written by Gilbert & Sullivan. This will be my first opera role as General Murgatroyd! Vocal rehearsals progressed well, while staging rehearsals will commence after a short summer break. Patience performances will be at the Salesian Theatre on the 30th September and 1st October.
I have just attended the first 3 master classes with the renowned Marco Mencoboni, a harpsichord & organ player and conductor specialising in Baroque music, as part of The Monteverdi Project. These monthly master classes will lead to a concert on the 21st December.
Le Nozze Di Fogaro
Another opera wrapped up last Monday. Le Nozze Di Figaro rehearsals started back in January leading to four nights of performances at the Manoel Theatre. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mro. Philip Walsh, played the beautiful pieces by Mozart. Nine soloists sang to the accompanied lyrics by Lorenzo Da Ponte. I was part of a 16-piece chorus, with the roles of a footman and a cook.
Orphée et Eurydice
Three days have passed from our last Orphée et Eurydice performance. Over three months of rehearsals culminating in four exceptional nights at the Manoel Theatre! This was my second experience in an opera chorus, followed by last year’s L’Elisir D’Amore. Directed by Denise Mulholland, with costumes designed by Luke Azzopardi and choir coaching by Geoff Thomas, the opera received quite a number of positive comments. Mro. Philip Walsh directed the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra who played Gluck’s (1859 Berlioz revision) beautiful music. The opera was re-imagined in the Victorian era, with a libretto adapted by Pierre-Louis Moline. It went from Eurydice’s mourning in Act 1, to Orphée’s hell in Act 2, and then to the elysium in Act 3.
