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Home , Kiri Te Kanawa, Roger Vignoles, Royal College of Music, Thomas Allen (baritone)

1 CAST

24, 30 November 26, 28 November & 1 December Count Almaviva Thomas Isherwood Harry Thatcher Countess Rosina Almaviva Josephine Goddard Sarah-Jane Brandon (24 & 28 November) (26, 30 November & 1 December) Susanna Catriona Hewitson Julieth Lozano Figaro Theodore Platt Adam Maxey Cherubino Anna Cooper Lauren Joyanne Morris Marcellina Holly-Marie Bingham Katy Thomson Bartolo Timothy Edlin Timothy Edlin (Cover) Conall O’Neill Conall O’Neill Basilio Glen Cunningham Joel Williams Don Curzio Samuel Jenkins Samuel Jenkins (Cover) Sahel Salam Sahel Salam Barbarina Milly Forrest Poppy Shotts Antonio Peter Edge Conall O’Neill Bridesmaid 1/Chorus Camilla Harris Camilla Harris Bridesmaid 2/Chorus Jessica Cale Jessica Cale

Chorus

Wet Nurse Annabel Kennedy Annabel Kennedy Head Housekeeper Rebecca Leggett Rebecca Leggett Kitchen Maids Alice Ruxandra Bell Alice Ruxandra Bell Olivia Turner Olivia Turner Laundry Maid Samantha Gaspe Samantha Gaspe Dairy Maid Rebekah Jones Rebekah Jones Gardeners Dafydd Allen Dafydd Allen Peter Edge Peter Edge Conall O’Neill Conall O’Neill Humphrey Thompson Humphrey Thompson Footmen Peter Dunn Peter Dunn Matthew Keighley Matthew Keighley Head Footman Xavier Hetherington Xavier Hetherington Stable Boys Michael Bell Michael Bell Adam West Adam West THE OF MUSIC OPERA STUDIO PRESENTS

Music by

Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte

Sir director Michael Rosewell conductor Lottie Higlett designer Rory Beaton lighting designer Kate Flatt choreographer

24, 26, 28 & 30 November & 1 December 2018 at 7pm , Britten Theatre

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Programme details correct at time of going to print. SYNOPSIS

ACT ONE ACT THREE A room in the castle, morning A hall in the castle, evening When Figaro hears of the Count’s designs on Susanna, he resolves to beat his master Susanna deceives the at his own game. Unfortunately, the servant Count into thinking that has already signed a contract agreeing she will meet him, but his to marry the spinster Marcellina, to whom suspicions are aroused. he owes some money. Later, Susanna and The Countess agrees to Figaro ask for their master’s blessing for take Susanna’s place. their marriage, but instead he decides to She dictates a letter for postpone their nuptials. the Count, confirming the meeting and fastened ACT TWO with a pin which he is The Countess’s bedroom, to send back as acceptance. Meanwhile, later the same morning the lawyer, Don Curzio, concludes that Marcellina’s contract is legal. However, it The Countess is lamenting the loss of her emerges that Figaro is actually the son of husband’s love when Figaro arrives with a Marcellina and Bartolo, and the two resolve to plan. He has sent the Count an anonymous marry immediately. letter, warning him that the Countess intends to meet a lover. Susanna will agree ACT FOUR to a rendezvous with him that night, but The garden, night Cherubino – dressed as a girl – will take her place. However, the Count, having Barbarina has lost the pin the Count gave her received the letter, storms in to confront his to return to Susanna. Figaro finds her looking wife, and the women confess to the hoax. for it and leaps to the wrong conclusion, Marcellina arrives and the count agrees to believing Susanna now intends a genuine hear her suit. meeting with her master. Figaro watches on as Susanna pretends to long for the Count’s embraces. She swaps cloaks with the Countess, but Figaro recognises her and they reconcile. Yet the Count, now believing Figaro is making love to his wife, summons everyone to expose the treachery. As the truth outs, he begs for forgiveness.

by Ben Anderson 4 Designs © Lottie Higlett DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Amidst the luxuries of Catherine the Great’s Figaro points out the inequalities of its Pavlovsk Palace, a beautiful French clock sits society in a way that is as relevant now atop a marble mantelpiece. The device is as it was then. It deals with the big issues the work of inventor Pierre-Augustin Caron whilst at the same time allowing us to de Beaumarchais, and is testament sufficient be witness to the finest details of human to a man’s worth and a life well spent. But relations. Beaumarchais was also a playwright, and the There are other details, left unwritten man who gave the world… Figaro. and unsaid, which we must tease out Figaro brilliantly illustrates the depth of life. As for ourselves in the white, blank spaces the play unfolds, layer after layer is stripped between lines. They are there, just as they away to reveal the multi-faceted state of a are in all the greatest works… seek and ye disintegrating society. shall find. Grateful as we undoubtedly are for such a Finally, Figaro shows us that love does work, this lucky world was further treated conquer, though more successfully for some when, almost 250 years ago, Beaumarchais’ than for others. stage comedy was immortalised in a I return regularly to renew my acquaintance masterpiece of musical creation. The with Figaro, only to realise with each visit, Marriage of Figaro is the product of a that I’m learning the work afresh. miraculous collaboration between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo Da Ponte, Sir Thomas Allen one a precocious composer, the other an adventurer in literature. The opera premiered in Vienna on 1 May 1786. Imagine the atmosphere of the theatre of the day: candles and lamps, a smoky space and then -- through the haze -- the first scurrying notes of that brilliant overture. What followed in both play and opera was a story for which the word ‘zeitgeist’ might well have been invented. Lorenzo Da Ponte had taken Beaumarchais’ lead and tapped into the grumbling discontent that was then just emerging, but which would lead inexorably to revolution and chaos. All that, and comedy too.

Designs © Lottie Higlett 5 PRODUCTION

For the Royal College Language Coach Assistant Stage Managers of Music Opera Studio Maria Cleva Sabrina Buck Pippa Lowen Director of Opera Chorus Master Michael Rosewell Leanne Singh-Levett Production Electrician Ralph Stokeld Head of Vocal and Opera Rehearsal Pianists Nick Sears Alisdair Kitchen Head of Stage Waiyin Lee Matthew Gorman Deputy Head of Vocal Joseph Ramadan Production Stage and and Opera Leanne Singh-Levett Audrey Hyland Lighting Technician Vocal Coaches Meghan Sorohan Visiting Professor of Opera Maria Cleva Set Construction and Dame John Constable Painting Audrey Hyland Manager of Vocal and Basement 94 Ltd Opera Lionel Friend Ann Somerville Tony Legge Props and Furniture Michael Lloyd Basement 94 Ltd Opera Administrator Michael Pollock Britten Theatre Workshop Naomi Morgan Peter Selwyn Armchair supplied by Scottish Opera Vocal Faculty Administrator Musical Assistant Chichester Festival Theatre Cathy Martin Vicente Chavarria Orchestral and Vocal Scores For the production Bärenreiter KV492 Head of Costume Conductor (Brieger, Layer) Jools Osborne Michael Rosewell Surtitles provided by Deputy Head of Costume Director Jonathan Burton Laura Pearse Sir Thomas Allen Surtitle Operators Costume Assistants Set and Costume Design Guy Elliott Jessica Allen Lottie Higlett Hugo Herman-Wilson Philip Engleheart Christine Hayward Lighting Designer Rory Beaton Costume Makers

Laura Pearse Choreographer Production Manager Pat Farmer Kate Flatt Paul Tucker Les The Tailor Assistant Director Stage Manager Milliner Ben Anderson Ray Bingle Debbie Boyd

6 Costume Hire Royal College Flute Bristol Costume Services of Music Opera Maja Persson Chichester Festival Theatre Orchestra Sarah Parkes-Bowen National Theatre Oboe Royal Central School of Violin I Alec Harmon Speech and Drama Sophie Williams Polly Bartlett Royal Shakespeare Ariane Plantive Company Hana Mundiya Clarinet Coco Inman Ross Montgomery Wigs and Make-up Rosina Acosta Peggy Lai Supervisor Jorinde Gray Martine Jones Xiaoquing Xu Bassoon Rebecca Koopmans Wigs and Make-up Ricardo Brown Roger Amy Thompson Deputy Violin II Sid Kennedy Ines Soares Delgado Horn Remi Faggiani Wigs and Make-up Asier Merino Blanco Andrew Angelos Trainee Mei Fujisato Annie Kennedy Annie Pham Trumpet Maxence Bretel Adam Wood Makeup provided by Emilia Wieczorkowska Duncan Hughes Kryolan Viola Timpani Tiffany Cheng Sam Howes Andrew Lavelle Harpsichord Orchestral Coaches Chloe Aquino Joseph Ramadan Richard Lester (tutti strings) Rebecca Breen

Gaby Lester (tutti strings) Cello Orchestra personnel correct (woodwind, Leland Ko at time of going to print brass & timpani) Ruth Hallows Chris Ridley (timpani) Abigail Lorimier Italics denote section principals Bass Declan Birchall Lucia Polo Moreno

For the Royal College Orchestra Manager Performance & of Music Phil Sizer Programming Officer Emma Diss Performance, Concert and Venue Programming and Faculty Manager Front of House Manager Manager Katie Clay Mark Traves Flo Ambrose Orchestra Assistant Amy Whitaker

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Michael Rosewell Sir Thomas Allen Conductor Director Michael Rosewell is Sir Thomas Allen is an Director of Opera at the established star of the RCM and Music Director of great opera houses of English Touring Opera – the the world. He has sung UK’s leading, Olivier award-winning, opera over 50 roles at House, touring company. He began his career In and in 2011 he celebrated the 40th Vienna where he assisted anniversary of his debut with the company. and other leading conductors and directors, The same year he also celebrated the 30th and worked closely with many of the anniversary of his debut at the Metropolitan world’s greatest singers. Since then he has Opera, New York. Sir Thomas has been conducted extensively throughout Germany, particularly acclaimed for his work on France, Italy, Croatia and the USA. In , Pelléas et Mélisande, Eugene Britain, he has conducted at the Royal Onegin, Ulisse and Beckmesser, as well as Opera House, Covent Garden, English his performances of several Mozart roles: National Opera, Kent Opera and English Count Almaviva, Don Alfonso, Papageno Touring Opera, and at the Aldeburgh, Bath, and, of course, . An Perth, Buxton, Zagreb and Montepulciano acclaimed recitalist, he is equally renowned Festivals. As pianist, he has toured with the on the concert platform and has appeared and as harpsichordist, with the world’s greatest orchestras he has performed with eminent specialist and conductors. Sir Thomas is also conductors such as , Chancellor of . His many Jean-Claude Malgoire and Marcello Panni. honours include the title of Bayerischer In the concert hall and recording studio, Kammersänger, awarded by the Bayerische Michael has directed, amongst others, Staatsoper. In the 1989 New Year Honours the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, he was made a Commander of the British the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, the Empire and in the 1999 Queen’s Birthday Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie, Honours he was made a Knight Bachelor. the Nationalorchester Mannheim, the Among his proudest achievements, Sir Staatsorchester Wiesbaden, the Stuttgarter Thomas can count having a Channel Tunnel Kammerorchester, the London Mozart locomotive named after him, receiving the Players, the BT Scottish Ensemble and the Queen’s Medal for Music in 2013 and, Aurora Orchestra. He has broadcast for most recently, being awarded honorary Radio France Musique, RTÉ Dublin and doctorates from the Royal College of Music Süddeutsche Rundfunk, and recorded for and the . Linn and Decca Records.

9 Lottie Higlett Rory Beaton Set and Costume Designer Lighting Designer The Marriage of Figaro Rory was nominated for a sees Lottie’s professional 2018 Knight of Illumination debut as Set and Costume Award for his work on Designer. Previously, Lottie Così fan Tutte at Opera has acted as Assistant Designer on The Holland Park. Previous productions also Norman Conquests (Chichester Festival include 70 Års Opera (Danish National Theatre) and has been a part of the creative Opera); Le Nozze di Figaro, Gianni team on productions including Grimm Schicchi, Il Tabarro, Radamisto, Dido Tales and Beauty and the Beast (CFT Youth and Aeneas (ETO); , Di Theatre). Lottie has also fulfilled numerous Seta, Il Campanello, The Bear (Wexford); positions within the wardrobe department Dubliners (OTC, Ireland); Summer Holiday of Chichester Festival Theatre, working on (Octagon); Lovely Ugly City (Almeida); productions including Fiddler on the Roof Edward II (Cambridge Arts); Maklena and and Me & My Girl. Lottie is a graduate of Dishoom! (Tour). Future productions include Arts University of Bournemouth (1st Class , L’arlesiana (OHP); and Hons). Macbeth, (ETO).

Kate Flatt Ben Anderson Choreographer Assistant Director Kate Flatt works nationally Ben is a freelance theatre and internationally in and opera director. dance, film, opera and Directing Credits include: theatre. She trained at Steep Themselves in Night the Royal Ballet School and began her (The Other Palace), Minibeasts (Streatham choreographic career as assistant to Space), A Bench at the Edge (Hen & Léonide Massine. Notable works include Chickens Theatre). Credits as Associate original staging for Les Misérables at the Director include Trainspotting Live (UK RSC and movement direction for Roots Tour, The Vaults and Edinburgh Fringe). (Donmar) and Skellig (Young Vic). Kate Credits as Assistant Director include (sorry) has also worked on several dance theatre (Assembly, The Box); In the Locked Room/ productions including Undivided Loves The Lighthouse (Royal College of Music); (Phoenix Dance Theatre) and Slowburn Sex With Robots and Other Devices, King (ROH Linbury) and on operas such as Peter Tut: A Pyramid Panto, and Outlaws Grimes (Opera North) and (ENO). to In-Laws (all at The King’s Head Theatre). Film credits include Chaplin, Restoration, Ben is a Junior Associate of the King’s Head The Avengers and The Dancing Room. Kate Theatre. teaches choreography at the Royal Ballet School and movement at the RCM. She is a Churchill Fellow and holds a Rayne Foundation Choreographic Fellowship.

10 CAST

Harry Thatcher Thomas Isherwood Josephine Goddard Count Almaviva Count Almaviva Countess Rosina Almaviva British Harry Thomas Isherwood is a bass- Josephine Goddard is a Thatcher is the Basil baritone who completed recent graduate from the Coleman Opera Scholar, his undergraduate studies Royal College of Music supported by the Betty at the Royal Northern Opera Studio. Competition Brenner Scholarship. He College of Music and his successes and awards also receives support from postgraduate studies at the include Second Prize at the The Josephine Baker Trust, Guildhall School of Music & Awards, John Clemence Trust and a Drama. At the RCM, Thomas Second Prize at the Joan Sybil Tutton Award (Help is generously supported Chissell Competition and Musicians UK). He has by the Sir Gordon Palmer a Help Musicians Licette worked with the Royal Scholarship. Thomas has Award. Josephine has Philharmonic Orchestra and participated in a variety of performed as a soloist at the Orchestra of Opera operatic projects including many prestigious venues North, and performed bass La bohème at the King’s including the Royal Albert solos in oratorios including Head Theatre, which was Hall, Royal Festival Hall Handel’s and nominated for Best New and Cadogan Hall. Recent Mozart’s . Harry Opera Production at the operatic roles include Ella has appeared in numerous 2018 Olivier Awards. (In the Locked Room), productions for the RCM, Prizes and awards include Helena (A Midsummer British Youth Opera and the 2011 Kathleen Ferrier Night’s Dream), Governess Grange Park Opera. Bursary for Young Singers (Turn of the Screw) and He sang in the 2018 and the 2016 London Song Rosalinde (). Festival and Festival British Art Song he was a 2015 Somerset Prize. Song Competition finalist and the 2017 Basil A Turner Prize winner.

11 Sarah-Jane Brandon Catriona Hewitson Julieth Lozano Countess Rosina Almaviva Susanna Susanna Sarah-Jane Brandon is Scottish Catriona Colombian soprano Julieth an RCM graduate and a Hewitson won the 2018 Lozano was awarded a previous recipient of the Ferrier Loveday Song Master in Vocal Performance Queen Elizabeth the Queen Prize. She studies with from the RCM and is now Mother Rosebowl. She won Janis Kelly and is the continuing her studies the Kathleen Ferrier Award Siow-Furniss Scholar, a with Dinah Harris. She is in 2009 and was invited Samling Artist and a Philip an Irene Hanson Scholar to the and Dorothy Green Young supported by a Jessie in 2011. Sarah-Jane has Artist, supported by an Sumner Scholarship and appeared in various venues Emma Rose Scholarship a Sybil Tutton Award. In across the globe including and the Josephine Baker 2016 she participated in Teatro Real, Deutsche Oper Trust, William Gibbs the Academy, Berlin, Teatro dell’Opera Trust, Drake Calleja Trust, sang Zerlina at the Verbier di Roma, Glyndebourne Sybil Tutton Award, Cross Festival’s Project Opera, and the National Theatre Trust and PS. Catriona and was awarded the of Bahrain. She has performed with The Grange Prix Thierry Mermod. performed with the LSO, Festival in their inaugural She has participated in LPO and Israel Philharmonic season, recently covered masterclasses with Angela Orchestra to name just a in for Gheorghiu, Dame Kiri Te few, alongside conductors Glyndebourne and has also Kanawa, such as Sir Andrew Davies worked with English Touring and Dan Ettinger, among and . This Opera. Concert highlights others. Various operatic season’s highlights include include touring with the roles include Vixen in The the title role of Jenůfa in Ulster Orchestra and Cunning Little Vixen and new productions for Greek performing at the Edinburgh Tytania in A Midsummer National Opera, Opéra International Festival. Night’s Dream. Future de Dijon and Opéra Catriona will be making performances include Caen; Donna Anna in Don her solo Handel’s Messiah in Teatro Giovanni (Palm Beach debut in December and Colón Colombia. Opera) and Antonia in will be performing a recital Les contes d’Hoffmann at St Martin-in-the-Fields in (Bayerische Staatsoper). January.

12 Adam Maxey Theodore Platt Anna Cooper Figaro Figaro Cherubino British bass-baritone Adam Theodore Platt is the winner Anna Cooper previously Maxey is in his second of the 2018 Lies Askonas studied at RNCM before year of postgraduate Competition and studies completing a Masters at training under the tutelage with Russell Smythe. He is the RCM. She is a Stephen of Alison Wells and is a generously supported by the Catto Memorial Scholar. Linda Hill Scholar. Adam’s Victoria Robey Scholarship, Operatic roles include recent operatic experience the Toeman Weinberger Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus includes the roles of Arthur, Opera Scholarship, a (Berlin Opera Academy); Voice of the Cards and Sybil Tutton Opera Award, Sepp, Jay, Chief Hen Officer 3 in Peter Maxwell- the Countess of Munster (cover) and Innkeeper’s Davies’ The Lighthouse Musical Trust, and the Wife (cover) in The Cunning and Peter Quince in A Josephine Baker Trust. This Little Vixen (Royal College Midsummer Night’s Dream, season’s engagements of Music); Kate in Pirates both for the RCM. Adam include Threni (LPO), and a of Penzance; and Melissa also performed at the Rachmaninoff Song Festival in Princess Ida (National Verbier Festival as Conte di recital at Pushkin House. Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Ceprano in Verdi’s Rigoletto. Recent projects include Company). Operatic He has participated in Marullo in Rigoletto for excerpts include Dorabella masterclasses with Dame the Verbier Festival, where in Così fan tutte, Olga in Ann Murray, Rodger Theodore was an Academy , Ramiro Vignoles and Edith Wiens. Young Artist, and Ben in La finta giardiniera and Pascoe for RCM’s In the Hansel in Hansel and Locked Room. Previously, Gretel. On the concert Theodore read Music at St platform, Anna recently John’s College, Cambridge. performed as a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall as part of their Myths and Fairytales series.

13 Lauren Joyanne Morris Katy Thomson Holly-Marie Bingham Cherubino Marcellina Marcellina Lauren Joyanne Morris Katy Thomson began Holly-Marie Bingham studies with Tim Evans- singing as a chorister studies under Dinah Harris Jones and is a Fishmongers’ at St Mary’s Cathedral, and is an H F Music Award Company Beckwith Scholar Edinburgh at the age of Holder and a William supported by a Douglas eight, and is now studying Gibbs Educational Trust and Hilda Simmonds with Janis Kelly at the RCM, Scholar supported by Scholarship, Helen Marjorie where she is a recipient The Countess of Munster Tonks Scholarship, the of an H F Music Award Musical Trust Award and Clemence Charitable Trust, supported by the Rhoddy the Josephine Baker Trust. the John Wates Charitable Voremberg Scholarship. Operatic roles include Trust, the Josephine Baker Recent performance Suzuki in Madame Butterfly, Trust and the Winship highlights include soprano Irene in Theodora and Foundation. Previous soloist for the North Wales Hermia in A Midsummer roles for the RCM include International Music Festival Night’s Dream. Holly-Marie Hermia in A Midsummer with has also performed in Night’s Dream and and NEW Sinfonia; a Hamlet for Glyndebourne Childerico in Faramondo (in world premiere of Rebecca Festival Opera 2017 and association with the London Dale’s Materna Requiem in The Rest Is Noise Festival Handel Festival). External (September 2018); Susan at Southbank Centre. She engagements include Wheeler in the RCM’s has given solo recitals at Dowager Queen (cover) production of In the Locked venues such as Barbican in The Rattler (Mahogany Room; and soprano soloist Hall and and Opera Group), Zerlina with the Royal Philharmonic is an alumna of the Franz- in Don Giovanni (BYO) Orchestra in the Myths Schubert-Institut and the and Johanna (cover) in and Fairytales series at the International Mendelssohn Sweeney Todd (WNO). Cadogan Hall. Academy. Competition Concert highlights include successes include Second performing selections of Prize in the 2016 Maureen music by Stephen Sondheim Lehane Awards. at Cadogan Hall and singing at Buckingham Palace.

14 Timothy Edlin Joel Williams Glen Cunningham Bartolo Basilio Basilio Timothy Edlin is currently Joel Williams is studying Glen Cunningham is studying under Russell with Ben Johnson and studying with Russell Smythe as a Janet & is the Kiri Te Kanawa Smythe and is the 2018 Michael Levesley Scholar Scholar supported by Joan Chissell Schumann supported by a Derek the Independent Opera Competition winner. Butler Scholarship. He has Scholarship. Joel studied In 2017 he made his performed as a soloist at History at King’s College, international debut in numerous venues including Cambridge, where he Rotterdam’s De Doelen as the Royal Festival Hall, was a Choral Scholar. Le Remendado in Carmen. Wigmore Hall and King’s He recently sang Poisson He has performed in College Chapel, as well in Adriana Lecouvreur masterclasses with Sir as live on BBC Radio under Gergiev and Thomas Allen and Edith 3. Previous operatic Borsa in Rigoletto under Wiens. This summer roles include Bottom in Kochanovsky for the Verbier he covered the role of A Midsummer Night’s Festival. Other roles include Ferrando in Così fan tutte Dream (RCM), Teobaldo in Oronte in Alcina (Ryedale with Opera Holland Park Faramondo (London Handel Festival), Lysander in A and participated in the Les Festival), Colline in La Midsummer Night’s Dream, Azuriales Opera Young Bohème (Euphonia Studio Count Belfiore inLa finta Artists Programme 2018. Opera) and Caliban in The giardiniera (RCM), Don Glen is supported by Enchanted Island, as well Ottavio in Don Giovanni the Countess of Munster as roles in contemporary (Opera Holland Park) and Musical Trust, The Robertson operas The Vanishing Le Ruisseau in Les fêtes Trust, Sir James Caird Bridegroom (BYO) and The d’Hebé (Opéra Bastille). Travelling Scholarships Lighthouse (RCM). Timothy Trust and Charles Jacob has also performed in the Scholarship. He is a Foyle Future First scheme Basil Coleman Opera as part of the LPO’s recent Scholar, Josephine Baker Stravinsky season, and Trust Scholar and a Help in the Deal Festival and Musicians UK Sybil Tutton Lichfield Arts Festival. Award holder.

15 Samuel Jenkins Sahel Salam Milly Forrest Don Curzio Don Curzio (Cover) Barbarina Samuel Jenkins is an H R Sahel Salam is the Milly Forrest is a Masters Taylor Trust Scholar studying Charles Branchini Scholar student studying with with David Rendall. Previous currently studying on the Alison Wells and Caroline opera roles have included Master of Performance Dowdle. Previous opera Tamino (Die Zauberflöte), course. He previously roles have included Remendado (Carmen) and studied under renowned Clorinda in La Cenerentola, Coridon and Acis (cover, American tenor William Fiordiligi in Così fan Acis and Galatea) in Lewis at the University of tutte, Nora in Riders to BarokOpera Amsterdam’s Texas. Sahel’s previous the Sea and Miranda in touring production. In May, roles include Tamino (Die The Enchanted Island. he performed the roles of Zauberflöte), Vincent Recent highlights include Foreman (John Henry) and (Mireille), Gherardo (Gianni travelling to Washington Dan (Our Perfect Child) in Schicchi), Italian Tenor (Der for a collaboration Frankenstein (RCM and Tête Rosenkavalier) and First between the RCM and à Tête). Samuel recently Commissioner (Dialogues Jaguar-Landrover and solo appeared as Dorvil (La of the Carmelites). He performances with the Scala di Seta) with Raucous has also performed Nantwich Choral Society, Rossini in the UK and Italy. as Ferrando (Cosí fan Dartington Community He has also participated tutte), Rinuccio (Gianni Choir and Mayfield Choral in masterclasses with Schicchi) and Remendado Society. In 2017 Milly and Olga (Carmen) in RCM’s Opera stepped in for Wigmore Fernandez at the RCM, and Scenes. Sahel placed Hall’s last recital of the with Joan Rogers at Neville as a semi-finalist in the season, . Holt Opera. 2016 Classical Singer Upcoming performances Competition. This summer include Exultate, jubilate he took part in The Music with the National Symphony Academy of the West as Orchestra and a Christmas the Cheryl M Goldberg Full recital with Roderick Scholarship Fellow. Williams. Milly is the Midori Nishiura Scholar supported by the Theo Max van der Beugel Scholarship.

16 Poppy Shotts Peter Edge Conall O’Neill Barbarina Antonio/Gardener Antonio/Bartolo (Cover)/ (Chorus) Gardener (Chorus) Poppy Shotts graduated from the Royal Peter Edge is a Masters Conall O’Neill is a Masters Conservatoire of Scotland student studying under student at the RCM, having (RCS) last year and is now Peter Savidge. He is a previously studied Biology an MA student at the RCM Drapers’ Company Scholar at . and a Derek Butler Scholar supported by a Douglas Conall performed the part supported by the Henry and Hilda Simmonds of Norman Allin in Vaughan Wood Accommodation Scholarship and the Henry Williams’ Serenade to Trust. She helped launch Wood Accommodation Music, conducted by John the RCS Coffee Concert Trust, as well as the Walker Wilson, at a Buckingham Series and was an original Trust, Kathleen Trust and Palace gala hosted by HRH member of the RCS Voices Clemence Charitable Trust. Prince Charles. He has Consort, with whom she Competition successes been involved in several recorded for BBC Radio 3 include the international productions with the RCM, and appeared as a medal at the Llangollen most recently as Snug in A soloist at various festivals. International Eisteddfod Midsummer Night’s Dream. Additional highlights and, most recently, the Chris Other RCM productions have included a series of Treglown Memorial Award. include the Bearded performances of Messiaen’s Previous opera roles have Gentleman and Gendarme Cinq Rechants, winning included Dulcamara (L’elisir (cover) in Les mamelles de the Governor’s Recital d’amore) and Masetto (Don Tirésias and Parson (cover) Prize for Chamber Music, Giovanni), while his next and Badger in The Cunning a solo performance with role is Guglielmo (Così Little Vixen. Conall is an the RPO at Cadogan Hall, fan tutte). Peter has been a RCM Award Holder. performing at the National Young Artist at Longborough Galleries of Scotland as a Festival Opera for the last Live Music Now Artist and two years and is also a performing with the Berlin BBC Introducing Artist who Opera Academy. She is performs frequently on BBC grateful to the Countess Radio. of Munster Musical Trust and the Mario Lanza Educational Trust for their support.

17 Camilla Harris Jessica Cale Bridesmaid 1/Chorus Bridesmaid 2/Chorus Camilla Harris is a Masters Welsh soprano Jessica student studying with Dinah Cale studies with Rosa Harris. She is a Britten- Mannion and is the Robert Pears Young Artist and the Lancaster Scholar with Their Serene Highnesses additional support from the Prince Donatus and Princess Countess of Munster and Heidi Von Hohenzollern the Josephine Baker Trusts. Scholar. Camilla previously Previous operatic experience read Music at Durham includes Despina (Cosí University. Recent solo fan tutte) and Serpetta highlights include Esther (La finta giardiniera) for at Wigmore Hall, First Ryedale Festival Opera; Witch and Spirit in Dido and Tina (Flight), Fortuna and Aeneas at The English (L’incoronazione de Concert and Beethoven’s Poppea), Musetta (La Choral Fantasy at the Royal bohème) and Mélisande Festival Hall. She has also (Pelléas et Mélisande) for taken part in masterclasses RCM Opera Scenes. Jessica with , has participated in RCM Julia Faulkner and Roderick masterclasses with Edith Williams, and performs Wiens and Roger Vignoles. regularly with The Sixteen, In addition to her studies, Britten Sinfonia Voices, she performs with many Gabrieli Consort and The professional ensembles Monteverdi Choir. including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Monteverdi Choir, The Sixteen and the Gabrieli Consort.

18 Designs © Lottie Higlett CHORUS

Dafydd Allen Gardener Dafydd Allen is an undergraduate student studying with Roderick Earle. He was a finalist in the 2017 Kathleen Ferrier Bursary for Young Singers and is a frequent prizewinner in the Welsh National Eisteddfod and Urdd Eisteddfod. Dafydd performed in Welsh National Youth Opera’s Kommiltonen! and sang to audiences all over the world as a previous member of Glanaethwy Choir.

Alice Ruxandra Bell Kitchen Maid Alice Ruxandra Bell is studying with Janis Kelly and Andrew Robinson. She is the Drapers de Turckheim Scholar supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. Alice has performed in Der Jasager at the Opéra de Montpellier and recorded a CD with the regional soloist choir of Pyrénées-Orientales. Previous roles include Doris in Les Festes de L’Eté at the Opéra de Rennes, Eduige in Rodelinda and Zenobia in Radamisto.

Michael Bell Stable Boy Michael Bell is a Big Give Scholar studying with Russell Smythe. He read Music at Cambridge, where he toured with the Choir of St John’s College and performed tenor soloist on their recording of Otčenás. Michael has recorded for Welsh television and performed in the 2017 V&A premiere of Kepler’s Trial. He was a recent Pembroke College Cambridge’s Lieder Scheme Scholar.

Peter Dunn Footman Peter Dunn studies with Alison Wells and is coached by Stephen Varcoe. He has performed with the Durham Symphony Orchestra, Consort, the Priory Singers and the Durham University Chamber Choir. He has appeared as Papageno in Die Zauberflöte (Durham Opera Ensemble) and with John Blow and the Dunedin Consort in a double bill of Venus and Adonis and Come, ye Sons of Art.

19 Samantha Gaspe Laundry Maid Samantha Gaspe studies with Veronica Veysey Campbell. In her second year, she was one of two singers who represented the RCM at the Junior Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers. She is a member of the RCM’s Chamber Choir and most recently performed with Esa-Pekka Salonen at the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Paris and at the Royal Festival Hall, where she also performed with Vasily Petrenko.

Xavier Hetherington Head Footman Xavier Hetherington studied Cassics at Cambridge before studying with baritone Petr Sergeyevich Gluboki in Moscow. He is a Their Serene Highnesses Prince Donatus and Princess Heidi von Hohenzollern Scholar at the RCM and receives support from Help Musicians UK. Previous roles include Sailor (), Dormont (La Scala di Seta) and Basilio (Le Nozze di Figaro) on stages in Italy, Scotland and .

Rebekah Jones Dairy Maid Rebekah Jones is studying with Tim Evans-Jones. She has performed with choirs such as The Sixteen and I Fagiolini, while performance highlights have included solo appearances at the St Endellion Festival, Snape Maltings and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Rebekah has starred as Mrs Peachum and Alisa at Grimeborn and performed in international music festivals in Gozo, Utrecht and Switzerland.

Matthew Keighley Footman Matthew Keighley is a Soirée d’Or Scholar studying with Tim Evans-Jones. Prior to his studies at the RCM, Matthew was a Lay Clerk at Gloucester Cathedral where he enjoyed a wealth of musical experiences including concerts, tours and the annual Three Choirs Festival. Further afield, Matthew’s recent performance highlights include tours to Corfu and Italy singing as a soloist for the Ionian University Choir.

Annabel Kennedy Wet Nurse Annabel Kennedy studies with and Caroline Dowdle. She has sung in the chorus for Gurrelieder at the Royal Festival Hall and in St Denis Basilica, Paris with the LPO. Annabel was awarded a Highly Commended in the RCM Lieder Competition, Second Prize in the AESS Courtney Kenny Award and received the Undergraduate Prize in the Brooks-van der Pump English Song Competition.

20 Humphrey Thompson Gardener Humphrey Thompson is supported by an RCM Scholarship. He sang as a chorister in New College Choir, Oxford and is a soloist with the Oxford Bach Soloists and Endelienta Baroque. Humphrey is a Their Serene Highnesses Prince Donatus and Princess Heidi von Hohenzollern Scholar, supported by the Clemence Charitable Trust, Mario Lanza Educational Foundation, Tom Cocklin Memorial Trust and Adrian Frost.

Olivia Turner Kitchen Maid Olivia Turner is an RCM Scholar studying with Dinah Harris. She holds a Trinity ATCL Performance Diploma in Piano, a DipABRSM Principles of Vocal Teaching, and an LCM Performance Diploma in Music Theatre. Olivia has received the AESS Courtney Kenny Award, performed at the Oxenfoord International Summer School and completed the Introduction to Opera course.

Adam West Stable Boy Adam West is an RCM Scholar studying with Jeff Stewart and Gary Matthewman. He regularly performs at livery company events across the City of London. In October 2017 he represented the RCM in the Kathleen Ferrier Bursary Competition. Adam has performed with numerous choirs including The National Youth Choir of Great Britain and Berkshire Youth Choir.

Rebecca Leggett Head Housekeeper Rebecca Leggett is currently studying with Alison Wells. She is the recipient of the Coro Nuovo Young Musician of the Year 2018 and is the winner of the 2016 Elisabeth Schumann Lieder Competition, with pianist Ashley Beauchamp. In May 2015, Rebecca performed the role of Flora in Turn of the Screw for Opera di Firenze and covered the role on the 2014 Glyndebourne Tour.

21 THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Music has the power to transform lives. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, generations of gifted students from around the world have been nurtured and trained at the RCM. We would like to thank in particular our More Music Founding Patrons, Leadership and Principal Supporters, as well as those who have made donations of £1,000 or more between 1 August 2017 and 1 August 2018. Gifts are listed alphabetically in order of surname.

More Music Founding The Polonsky Foundation The Headley Trust Patrons Geoffrey Richards HonRCM & The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation The Estate of George Valerie Richards UK Frederick Burgan The Estate of Michael Rimmer The Dolly Knowles Charitable Trust The Estate of Basil Coleman Victoria, Lady Robey OBE Professor Christopher & Croucher Hong Kong HonRCM Vivienne Liu Charitable Foundation The Estate of Emma Rose The Estate of Billy Newman Heritage Lottery Fund Soirée d’Or Scholarships The Estate of Ann Richardson The Estate of Christopher The Wolfson Foundation Peter & Dimity Spiller Steinway & Sons Hogwood CBE HonDMus Principal Supporters Kingdom Music Education Michael Whittaker and the Meredith & Denis Coleman Group Big Give Christmas Challenge The Estate of Thomas Cottrell Rena & Sandro Lavery The The Estate of Heather Curry The Estate of Neville Wathen Accommodation Trust J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust Ruth West HonRCM & The Harbour Foundation Supporters Dr Michael West Kirby Laing Foundation The Estate of Gillian Ashby Garfield Weston John Lewis Partnership Ashley Family Foundation Foundation Philip Loubser Foundation The Estate of Kenneth Atkinson Leadership Supporters John Nickson & Simon Rew Dr Linda Beeley Jane Barker CBE FRCM The Pure Land Foundation Lord Black & Mark Bolland G & K Boyes Charitable Trust The Julia & Hans Rausing Trust The Boltini Trust The Derek Butler Trust Leopold de Rothschild 1959 Bowerman Charitable Trust Philip Carne MBE HonRCM & Charitable Trust Cambridge in America Christine Carne The Estate of Brian & Janice Capstick The Estate of John & Dasha Shenkman OBE HonRCM Sir Roger & Lady Carr HonRCM Marjorie Coultate The Peter Sowerby Foundation The Estate of Ella Carstairs The Estate of Jocelyn Cruft H R Taylor Trust Thomas Sivewright Catto The Estate of Margaret Dewey The Estate of Ivor Charles Treby Charitable Settlement The Foyle Foundation The Estate of Gweneth Urquhart Lord Davies of Abersoch CBE The Future of Russia Foundation Sir Siegmund Warburg’s The Drapers’ Company The Harry and Gylla Godwin Voluntary Settlement The Gilbert & Eileen Edgar Foundation Charitable Trust Major Supporters HEFCE Lesley Ferguson Laurie Barry Linda Hill HonRCM & Fiona & Douglas Flint The Bertarelli UK Foundation Dr Tony Hill The Freakley Family The John Curwen Society Sara Nelson Horner Gisela Gledhill Peter & Annette Dart The Leverhulme Trust Elaine Greenberg & Linda Perez Fishmongers’ Company The Linbury Trust Helen Hamlyn Trust Hamish & Sophie Forsyth The Estate of William Mealings The Abinger Hammer Award The Hargreaves and Ball The Mirfield Trust Terry Hitchcock Charitable Trust The Houston Family 22 Independent Opera at Their Serene Highnesses Ellen Moloney Sadler’s Wells Prince Donatus and Music Talks David James Princess Heidi von Hohenzollern Jennifer Neelands JMC Brian and Anne Wadsworth OBE Ofenheim Charitable Trust Ruth Keattch Sir Peter & Lady Walters Keith O’Nions James and Clare Kirkman Bob & Sarah Wigley Gordon Palmer Charitable Trust The Honourable Society of the Jane Wilson Kevin Porter HonRCM Knights of the Round Table Professor Lord Winston & Kerry & Dimity Rubie James & Margaret Lancaster Lady Winston South Square Trust Lark Music The Worshipful Company of Sudborough Foundation Lee Abbey London Musicians Janis Susskind OBE HonRCM Dr Mark Levesley and The Wyseliot Charitable Trust Robert Swannell Christina Hoseason Sir Richard & Lady Sykes Core Contributors Carol & Geoff Lindey Kara Radcliffe Ian and Natalie Livingstone Robert Anderson John and Jenny Reid Lord and Lady Lurgan Trust The Anglo Norse Award Janet Richardson The Hon Richard Lyttelton & Avenue Chapter of Royal Arch Anthony Thornton Romilly Lyttelton Freemasons Rhoddy Voremberg Ian Mactaggart Trust Isla Baring OAM Opperby Stokowski Collection The Estate of Anthony Mason John & Halina Bennett Trust The Mercers’ Company Lady Bergman The Wall Trust Sir Peter & Lady Middleton FRCM Blenheim Music Circle John Ward Jamie Milford The Bliss Trust Marc Wassermann and Rosemary Millar HonRCM & Gary & Eleanor Brass Lisa Osofsky Richard Millar Frank Bridge Bequest Sir Robert & Lady Wilson The Howard & Abby Milstein Edward Brooks Yip Wing-Sie Foundation Lorraine Buckland The York Competitive Festival of Midori Nishiura HonRCM Sir Anthony Cleaver FRCM & Singing P F Charitable Trust Lady Cleaver The Charles Peel Charitable Trust Andrew Curran The Stanley Picker Charitable Trust Jonathan Davie Richard Price FRCM and Sue Price The Derek Hill Foundation Pro Musica Ltd Douglas and Kyra Downie The Royal College of Russell Race The Ann Driver Trust Music is extremely grateful The Hon Robert Rayne and Dr Ian & Janet Edmondson to all our 2018/2019 Mrs Benita Refson The Finnis Scott Foundation Opera Syndicate donors, The Estate of Charles Stewart Douglas & Adele Gardner with special thanks to our Richardson Professor Alice Gast Opera Syndicate sponsors: Sir Simon & Lady Robertson Edwin and Hilary Green Alethea Siow and Jeremy Roland Saam Peter Granger Furniss Christopher Elaine Gould Carolyn Ward Hilda Scarth Julian Hardwick Brian and Janice Capstick Alethea Siow & Jeremy Furniss Lily & Julian Harriss Kathleen Beryl Sleigh Charitable Greta Hemus Visit our website Trust John & Susan Heywood www.rcm.ac.uk/ Bryan Stott Lilian Hochhauser CBE FRCM operasyndicate or call Ian Stoutzker CBE FRCM The Estate of Barbara Margaret 020 7591 4336 to learn Betty Sutherland Holt more about our Opera Ian & Meriel Tegner Professor Colin Lawson CBE Syndicate and how to Richard Toeman / Weinberger FRCM support opera productions Opera Scholarship David & Sue Lewis at the RCM. Universal Music Group Charles & Dominique Lubar Rev Lyndon van der Pump FRCM Marcus McDonald & Edward Brooks FRCM David Mildon 23 SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS on tonight’s performance on Twitter and Instagram using @RCMLondon or #RCMFigaro

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