The Magazine for the Royal College of MusicI Autumn 2011

What’s inside... Welcome to upbeat… This issue we’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Britten Theatre, so we’ve been out and about collecting memories from those involved in the Contents opening of this much-loved venue. 4 In the news The theatre was opened in November 1986 with three spectacular gala concerts. Hidden away in the chorus was none other than leading mezzo- Updating you on recent College activities including museum soprano Sarah Connolly! Turn to page 11 to hear her memories of performing developments and competition with leaping Lords and dancers dressed as swans, all in aid of raising funds for successes the theatre. We also talk to Leopold de Rothschild, who as Chairman of the Centenary 9 New arrivals Appeal, played a significant role in making sure the project came to fruition. The RCM welcomes a host of new On page 14, he remembers conducting the RCM Symphony Orchestra and faces to the College reveals what the Queen said to him on opening night… We’re always keen to hear from students past and present, particularly if you 10 The Britten Theatre… the perfect showcase have any poignant memories of the Britten Theatre. Send your news and pictures to [email protected] by 9 January 2012 to be featured in the next As we celebrate 25 years of the edition of Upbeat. Britten Theatre, Upbeat discovers how the College is seeking ways to update and improve it for the NB: Please note that we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and that we 21st century reserve the right to edit submissions.

Upbeat online 11 Sarah Connolly Did you know that Upbeat is available to read online at www.rcm.ac.uk/upbeat. RCM alumna and foremost If you’d prefer to read it in this way, do contact us at [email protected] and we’ll mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly stop sending you a paper copy. If you’d like us to send you an email notification talks to Upbeat about her when Upbeat is published, let us know your email address too. memories of the Britten Theatre

12 The Britten Theatre in pictures The Britten Theatre has seen many different performances over the past 25 years. Here are just a few highlights

14 Meeting the supporters Upbeat meets British financier and philanthropist Leopold de Rothschild

16 Staff notes… News from professorial, academic and administrative staff

18 Student notes…

The Queen Mother meets the cast from the opening night of the Britten Theatre in 1986 Current students’ success stories Photo: © Chris Christodoulou © Chris Photo: 20 Alumni notes… Front cover – The Britten Theatre logo Updates from RCM graduates Inside front cover – A selection of images from the RCM Festival of Percussion © Chris Christodoulou Inside back cover – Images from the opera school’s summer production of Cosi fan tutte 22 Births, marriages and obituaries © Chris Christodoulou

3 In the news...

degree at Birmingham Conservatoire Who do you think Jackie Clifton MBE and is thriving as a professional pianist, composer and jazz musician. you are? It is with great pleasure that we report Jackie Clifton’s MBE in the recent Director of Junior Department Peter Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Hewitt said: “Through her drive and energy in leading the Visually An alumna of the RCM, Jackie has been Impaired Musicians Scheme, Jackie has Research Fellow in Visual Impairment enhanced the perceptions of all who since 2000. This role has developed have encountered her, benefitting not many facets under Jackie’s guidance. only individual students but the whole She has tirelessly supported visually- community.” impaired students and their teachers, and advised on accessibility issues more Alongside her work for the RCM, generally. other HEIs and national organisations, Jackie has founded Musicians in Her most notable achievement Focus, an organisation committed to for the RCM is the creation of the being a central point of contact for ground-breaking Visually Impaired the exchange and dissemination of Musicians Scheme (VIMS) for the information, and provided liaison with Junior Department. VIMS offers a the music industry in the research holistic musical training to young and development of new technology. people from 8 to 18, with innovative Jackie has brought her Musicians in use of assistive technologies at its heart. Focus expertise to her work at the Some of its students have progressed RCM, greatly enriching the musical and to conservatoire. Indeed, one of Jackie’s educational experience of senior and first VIMS students, Kevin Satizabal, junior students, professors and other recently completed his undergraduate teachers.

A recent BBC1 documentary has shed light on the fascinating life of 19th century industrialist Samson Fox, who played a key role in the early life of the Royal College of Music.

Actress Emilia Fox, Samson’s great-great- granddaughter, was the subject of an episode of the series Who Do You Think You Are? In order to find out more about her illustrious ancestor, she visited the Royal College of Music, where there is a bust of Samson Fox.

RCM Head of Collections Professor Paul Banks showed her fascinating material demonstrating that Samson donated the then enormous sum of £45,000, paying at a stroke for the construction of the iconic Blomfield Building. Emilia then traced Samson’s history back to his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, and discovered how he made his fortune from one of the most significant inventions of the late 19th century – the corrugated boiler flue!

4 Double 100% employability for RCM graduates Tchaikovsky Success

According to a study carried out by The league table has reinforced the the Higher Education Statistics Agency RCM’s position as a world leader when (HESA), RCM graduates are more likely it comes to preparing students for to find employment than those of any the workplace. With the help of the We are delighted to announce that other conservatoire. exceptionally high standard of teaching, current student Alexey Chernov the wide-ranging performance and and recent graduate Alexander Of RCM alumni who graduated in 2010, networking opportunities and the many Romanovsky both won prizes at 100% of those who responded to the services offered by the Woodhouse the XIV Tchaikovsky International survey reported that they had moved Professional Development Centre, every Piano Competition in Moscow. This into employment or further study. year more and more RCM graduates are is a major achievement for these This great result places the RCM at the building successful careers within the performers in such a monumental very top of HESA’s league table, which music profession. competition. included not just conservatoires, but all UK universities. Alexander Romanovsky took Fourth Prize, while Fifth Prize went to Alexey The event was such as success that it is Chernov. Alexander also won the A big bash! to become an annual fixture. The 2012 special Vladimir Krainev award for the Festival of Percussion will be held on The inaugural RCM Festival of Percussion best Rachmaninov Concerto. 8 July with another superb line-up of took place on Sunday 10 July. Presented special guests. In total, an astonishing four RCM in association with the Percussive Arts pianists made it to the competition Society and with grateful thanks to For those of you who can’t wait finals. They travelled to Moscow with Bell Percussion, the day was a grand that long, visit www.rcm.ac.uk/ RCM Head of Keyboard Vanessa celebration of all things percussion. percussionfestival to relive the Latarche, who offered all of the RCM highlights from this year. competitors advice and support. Nearly 400 visitors poured into the RCM to hear a line-up of special guests that There were also two prizes for included drum legend Peter Erskine, performers who have recently the complete timpani and percussion joined the RCM. A special jury sections of the BBC Symphony discretionary award, given to a Orchestra and international marimba promising competitor who did not soloist Daniella Ganeva as well as reach the final, was awarded toPavel representatives of the UK’s leading Kolesnikov. In the Cello section, instrument manufacturers, and some of the prize for the most outstanding the country’s leading young percussion accompanist went to Oxana groups. The day came to a grand Schevchenko. climax with Peter Erskine’s special guest appearance with Mark Armstrong and Congratulations to them all. the RCM Big Band.

5 In the news...

The King James International Bible Composition Awards Symposium on Performance Science 2011

The third International Symposium on Performance Science (ISPS) was hosted The Finals of the King James Bible Jones’ programme ‘The Choir’ on BBC by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Composition Awards have taken place Radio 3. Music from 24 to 27 August. at the Temple Church in London. The Chairman of the organising The ISPS is a biennial meeting of TheRCM Junior Department committee, the Dean of Chichester, performers and scientists to discuss Chamber Choir, conducted by Joy Hill, the Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling, performance and the skills which performed the shortlisted entries in said: “We are so grateful to all those underpin it. This year’s meeting explored front of the two judges: distinguished who have made this competition the theme Models of Performance, choral composer and RCM alumnus possible, especially the Colleges and ranging from models of good practice Bob Chilcott and James MacMillan, the Abbey, but most of all to the gifted to scientific models of performance who was recently awarded an honorary young composers who have taken part processes and products. Delegates from doctorate by the RCM. and submitted some very imaginative over 30 counties gave 117 presentations, work. We are sure that many of these The finalists included former RCMJD pieces, whether they have won prizes consisting of four keynote lectures, 80 student Thomas Hewitt-Jones, an or not, will enter the mainstream of spoken papers, 30 poster presentations, award-winning young composer of worship in the churches, and contribute two practical workshops and one both concert and commercial music, to wider knowledge of the riches of the graduate award paper. and Masters composition student King James Bible.” William Dougherty. The event was The RCM was well represented with a compered by Katie Derham and the Full details of the competition can be performance and presentation given by winning works were featured on Aled found at: www.2011trust.org RCM Director Colin Lawson, as well as presentations by staffAaron Williamon, Tânia Lisboa and Rosie Perkins, recent graduate Terry Clark, and current DMus Michael Eavis, Duffy, Joe McElderry and student Elena Alessandri. Articles Palace date for Ellie Goulding. arising from these presentations were published on 24 August by the European RCM musicians “We were welcomed so warmly by the Association of Conservatoires (AEC). staff of the Palace and it was wonderful Seven RCM students joined Learning conversing with all the guests” Joanne- The next symposium will focus on the and Participation Manager Hayley Marie D’Mello, a former RCM student Clements at a reception at Buckingham theme Performing Together and will be told Upbeat. “I wasn’t expecting to hosted by the University of Music and Palace to celebrate young people in the actually meet and speak with Her Majesty performing arts. Performing Arts in Vienna (MdW) from and the Duke of Edinburgh. But there 28 to 31 August 2013. Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of they were – the ultimate paragons of Edinburgh hosted the event and invited grace and charm. I feel greatly honoured Further details will be announced soon more than 350 guests including Helen and privileged to have had this unique on the conference website: Mirren, Kevin Spacey, Sheila Hancock, opportunity. It’s certainly one I’ll never www.performancescience.org forget!”

6 An historic agreement A summer of progress In April, the RCM signed an historic “This collaboration is a significant agreement with the Nanyang Academy milestone in the history of arts education of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore, in Singapore.” Mr Choo Thiam Siew offering a joint BMus(Hons) Degree told Upbeat. “The course will raise course to Singaporean students. This the standard of music performance in collaboration marks the first time Singapore and throughout the region.” that the RCM is conferring its degrees outside the UK. Students on the NAFA-RCM programme select from five different Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien music disciplines: Keyboard, Loong and Minister for Education Dr Composition, Orchestral, Vocal and Ng Eng Hen were among the 200 guests Chinese Instrumental Studies. They who witnessed the official signing of will work with RCM professors via a the collaboration agreement between professorial exchange scheme, and will NAFA President Mr Choo Thiam Siew undertake a seven-week international and RCM Director Professor Colin placement programme at the RCM RCM staff and students returning to the Lawson. during their final year. We look forward College after the summer break have to welcoming them to London. noticed a number of improvements. In the South building the basement practice rooms have been completely refurbished and redecorated with new flooring, ceilings and air conditioning, which have improved their aesthetic and acoustic qualities. On the first floor, the Recital Hall has also been redecorated with new floors and curtains. In the Blomfield Building there are three new practice rooms available on the lower ground floor and the Post Room has been converted into an instrument storage room for students. Over in College Hall, the common room has had a make-over and is now known as ‘The Lounge’. In response to growing demand, the College has also extended its opening hours: the Blomfield Building is now open until midnight during weekdays. The RCM’s commitment to providing the best possible environment for students, visitors and staff will continue in the coming months and years – keep an eye on Upbeat for details.

New Junior Fellowship for chamber music with piano We are delighted to announce the new to establish themselves professionally. have recently been selected as Park Lane Richard Carne Junior Fellowship for Group Artists. chamber music with piano. The first musicians to benefit from this new Junior Fellowship are the The RCM is grateful toPhilip and A Junior Fellowship is an award offered Muse Piano Quintet comprising Yulia Christine Carne for their generous competitively to musicians at the Vorontsova, Ilya Movchan, Ilona support of this Junior Fellowship. Philip beginning of their careers and enables Bondar, Jordan Gregoris and Ksenia is a long-standing supporter of the them to gain experience, confidence and Berezina. Formed in 2008, the group College and was awarded an HonRCM connections of the kind that help them have performed widely in London and earlier this year.

7 In the news...

display allowing visitors to delve more RCM Partnership The Museum deeply into the remarkable gems of the reopens RCM collection. with Endsleigh The Museum is open 11.30am–4.30pm, We are delighted After eight months of planning and Tuesday to Friday during term time to announce our preparation the first phase of the new and during the summer vacation. If partnership with Museum display is on show. you wish to visit at other times, please Endsleigh Insurance The ground floor of the Museum has ring +44 (0)20 7591 4842 to arrange an Services. They will sponsor three concerts been refurbished and reorganised to appointment. this academic year starting in November feature a dazzling new display including with Great Exhibitionists, an innovative the world-famous collection of playable series of concerts devised and presented keyboard instruments and a selection exclusively by RCM Students. of the finest portraits of musicians from “We are proud to support the Royal the College’s collection of art. Also on College of Music.” Lewis Duggleby, show are two permanent exhibitions: Account Executive at Endsleigh, told ‘Collections, Composers, Performers’ Upbeat. “And having just re-launched our a glimpse into moments in the history specialist musical instruments insurance of the College, and ‘Curator’s Choice’ for conservatoire students, we are always a selection of the historical musical delighted to get feedback from RCM staff instruments in the Museum collection. and students.” With the RCM Philharmonic Orchestra’s anticipated performance of Mahler’s first symphony in December, Award winners Mahler scholar Paul Banks has also created a temporary display about the announced history of the work. To top it all off, the Museum now features an interactive

each year from state schools across the Celebrating six borough to benefit from free one-to-one instrumental tuition. The performances years of Musicians in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall brought together all those who have of the Future been involved in the project since its creation.

The scheme has been such a great success that it has led to the founding of the Borough Orchestra, which aims to Sam Evans bring together all the participants, giving them a performance outlet once they Three of the RCM’s most prestigious have moved on from the scheme. awards for departing students have been announced. These awards are Among the enthusiastic audience for presented to students who have made this concert was David Ross and his a particularly great impact on life at fellow trustees and we are delighted to the RCM. announce the David Ross Foundation as the new lead supporter of RCM Sparks. The Worshipful Company of An integral element of the partnership Musicians Silver Medal will be Musicians of the Future (MoF), RCM will involve the RCM working closely awarded to clarinettist Jessica Grimes, Sparks flagship project, has celebrated with the Malcolm Arnold Academy in the Queen Elizabeth Rosebowl will go its six-year anniversary with a series of Northampton, which is also supported to composer Charlotte Harding, and performances in the Amaryllis Fleming by the foundation. the Tagore Gold Medals will be given to French horn player Concert Hall. Katy Woolley For further details, please contact and baritone Sam Evans. The MoF project, run in collaboration Samir Savant, Director of Development They will all be presented with their with the Royal Borough of Kensington on [email protected] or awards at next year’s President’s Visit. and Chelsea, has enabled 24 pupils 020 7591 4303.

8 New arrivals

Bondar, Jordan Gregoris). In Piano Accompaniment we welcome Francesca Leonardi (Phoebe Benham Junior Fellowship), Jonathan Musgrave (Anthony Saltmarsh Junior Fellowship) and Jennifer Carter (Adami Award for Piano Accompanists Junior Fellowship).

We also welcome back the following Junior Fellows for their second year: David Smith (Junior Fellowship) and Michael Ierace (Gilbert & Eileen Edgar Junior Fellowship). New Junior Fellows with RCM Director Colin Lawson Professors night, laser quest and boat cruise. College Students Hall also welcomed their new residents We are delighted to announce a number with a salsa band and hog roast party. of new professors this September. This academic year the RCM warmly Soprano and voice coach Dinah welcomed a total of 286 new students Harris, and Cornish-born baritone and from 50 different countries, with no Junior Fellows founding member of the Songmakers’ fewer than 128 of these new arrivals Almanac Richard Jackson, join the benefiting from an RCM scholarship. The RCM welcomes a host of new Junior Vocal faculty. The Composition faculty Fellows for the 2011/12 academic year Charles Bradley has been re-elected as welcomes Italian-born composer Enrica President of the Students’ Association. including Fredérique Legrand (Mills Sciandrone and Oscar-nominated Charlie and his team will represent and Williams Junior Fellowship), Marek Francis Shaw. Leader of Brodsky String support the student body, and provide Bracha (Constant & Kit Lambert Junior Quartet and renowned soloist Daniel a full programme of social events and Fellowship), and the Richard Carne Rowland, and Russian born violinist activities. The year got off to a great start Junior Fellowship holders: The Muse Natalia Lomeiko join the String faculty. with a fantastic week of entertainment Piano Quintet (Yulia Vorontsova, And, the Keyboard faculty welcome for all new students including a comedy Ilya Movchan, Ksenia Berezina, Ilona distinguished pianist Norma Fisher.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2011 Challenge opens: Monday 5 December 10am The Royal College of Music is proud to be part of The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2011, during which we seek to raise £120,000 for the RCM Scholarship Fund. The Trustees of the RCM and The Big Give have created a fund to match donations, meaning that for every £1 donated online, the RCM will receive £2. If you have ever considered making a donation to enable talented young musicians to train here, there is no better time. From 10am on Monday 5 December, please visit www.theBigGive.org.uk to have any donation you make to the RCM (from £1 to £5,000) doubled.

9 The Britten Theatre...

The exceptional quality of the student ...the perfect experience depends upon our highest expectations being realised. In our showcase International Opera School, students learn the art and craft of opera, not The 25th anniversary of our celebrated just from their vocal professors and Britten Theatre is a good moment to coaches, but from the inspiration of the reflect on what this beautiful space has designers and directors who work with done for opera at the Royal College other professional theatre and opera of Music. Home to our renowned companies. International Opera School, this exquisite theatre has helped put the RCM on the Opera is a team effort and the high world map. standards of our productions – which rival those of any professional opera It has helped to launch the careers company – could not be achieved of operatic celebrities including the without the support of the professional consummate artist Gerald Finley, staff and crew of the Britten Theatre. mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly People like Jools Osbourne, the who starred in the Last Night of the Costume Supervisor who, with her 2011 Proms, the much-loved soprano team of experienced freelancers, makes Elizabeth Watts, and the hugely popular costumes of the same quality as any tenor Alfie Boe. opera company, costing around £1,000 for one character role. And Paul Tucker A perfect showcase for our outstanding and Kieran Taylor who run the Britten performers, the theatre has drawn in Theatre and ensure that each designer’s thousands of opera lovers, pleasing opera vision is turned into reality. It’s a team “One immediate merit of the devotees and nurturing new audiences that really works to achieve something opening season is its venue. The for this unique art form. The theatre has greater than the sum of the parts. also attracted the all-important critics small horseshoe auditorium whose reviews play such a crucial part in To ensure that we are able to offer our of the Royal College of Music’s promoting fresh talent. students the performance opportunities Britten Theatre provides much and training they deserve for the next 25 the sort of performance space We are now looking at the Britten years, we ask you to help us today: Theatre over the next 25 years and that Handel would have had in beyond, to ensure that we can exceed • Donate to the Britten Theatre mind, removing pressure from Anniversary Fund: a donation of any the already extraordinary achievements the singers and creating an of our students, and bring them to an size will help support the work of the theatre, for example £50 would buy 1 ever wider public. intimacy of relationships.” litre of stage blood and £100 is the cost Rupert Christiansen of the Daily of a new lighting gobo Telegraph on ETO’s HandelFest • Support the Costume Appeal: help dress the stage of the Britten Theatre in its 25th year “The Britten Theatre is a student • Join us for an anniversary celebration: on 2 May 2012 we are and professional performer’s holding Nuit Fantastique, a special dream. I liken it to a playground, fundraising gala where we get to train, study • Support a scholarship and play and experience • Sponsor an opera performance the pressures, adrenalin and for schools camaraderie which is integral For further details about how to to our profession. The principles participate and events during the and skills of stage and theatre year, please see www.rcm.ac.uk/bt25 or contact the Development craft I learnt here with many Department on 020 7591 4320 professors I now call colleagues [email protected]. and friends are a wonderful We would also love to hear from alumni memento of my time at the and audience members with memories RCM. Long may it continue.” of the Britten Theatre, particularly if you Bass baritone and alumnus witnessed those three opening Royal Jonathan Lemalu Galas.

10 Sarah Connolly

I gather there were a number of events For students studying at the College to raise funds for the building of the today, what difference do you think Theatre. Were you involved in any of having the Britten Theatre makes to these? their training? Yes, one of my most vivid memories It makes such a difference, but the is of the ‘Musithon’. It lasted for 14 teaching and support is equally hours and went all the way through the important. There’s no point having a night. It culminated in an extraordinary posh theatre if there’s nobody there to performance of The Twelve Days of teach you how to be natural on stage. Christmas with Sir David Willcocks But having such a professional theatre conducting. The Chamber Choir, in really does help you prepare for life after which I sang, performed Eight Maids A College – it helps you understand what’s Milking and they invited in a number expected, how to deal with the lights and of guest performers too, for example I the whole theatre set up. So when the remember Julian Lloyd Webber playing time comes and you are asked to sing a Saint-Saëns’ The Swan accompanied by small role at the ENO, the Opera House seven dancers from the Royal Ballet (one or Glyndebourne, you are used to being of whom was wearing flippers!). They blinded by the lights and stepping out in also found ten genuine Lords, and they front of an audience. even gave a little hop at the end! Do you have any particularly fond I also particularly remember the memories of the college? conducting part – anyone could come Anything to do with Sir David along and conduct the College orchestra. Willcocks was always fun! I have very There was a lot of laughter at how fast good memories of him conducting a you could take the William Tell Overture! performance of Mahler’s 8th Symphony It was an extremely funny and brilliant at the Royal Albert Hall with The way to raise money. Bach Choir and the RCM Symphony Orchestra. It was such a fantastic Did you have a chance to perform in opportunity. I’m actually doing it the Britten Theatre after it was opened? again soon and I always think of that Yes, I had the chance to sing in a performance when I sing it. performance of Il Trittico, the year after the theatre was opened. I wasn’t actually I also had a wonderful piano teacher in a member of the Opera School but was Patricia Carroll. She really encouraged asked to play the part of the Mother me to play from memory and was key in RCM alumna Sarah Connolly CBE Abbess. It was such an eye opener for building up my confidence. I’m actually is one of the foremost British mezzo- me – I remember suddenly thinking that immensely proud of my achievements on sopranos, whose career highlights include I felt very comfortable on the stage, and the piano and felt a very accomplished performances at The Met, La Scala and at thought maybe I should do more of this. pianist by the end of my time at College. the Last Night of the Proms. She talks to It’s still a very useful skill today and I Upbeat about her memories of the Britten You studied piano jointly with singing. often learn opera scores by playing them Theatre and studying at the College… What made you decide to follow your through on the piano. voice? The Britten Theatre opened in 1986 I was a joint piano and vocal student, I’ve heard you once considered being a with three spectacular gala concerts. but never thought I would become an jazz singer? What are your memories from these opera singer. It was Sir David Willcocks’ I’ve always loved singing jazz and thought performances? enthusiasm for my voice that really about it quite seriously in the 1990s but I have such wonderful memories from encouraged me to pursue it as a career. it was the music of Scheherazade that that time! Sir David Willcocks [the then He was the one who said: “You have kept me from leaving the classical world Director of the RCM] generated such a voice, you should sing.” My teacher – I just wanted to sing it so badly and excitement around the new building. Margaret Kingsley was also very didn’t want to loose the elasticity in my He was so passionate about creating a encouraging and helped me build up voice. So here I am! new opera house in association with my confidence. I remember she used to Benjamin Britten and believed it was say that my musical intelligence was way crucial to the modernisation of the ahead of my technique, which I guess is College, particularly the Vocal faculty. often the case with students. It wasn’t There was so much talent coming into until a few years after leaving College the College at that time and the Parry that my voice really came into its own. Theatre, which was situated underneath the Concert Hall, was just becoming a little shabby.

11 1986: The Britten Theatre is officially opened on 5 November with a grand gala concert in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince of Wales. The audience is treated to a performance of the third act of Britten’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

The Royal College of Music’s Britten Theatre is one of London’s best-kept 1987: The Opera School stages its first full length secrets: a hidden gem opera in the Britten Theatre with a production of Puccini’s ‘Il Trittico’. which not only hosts a prestigious annual series of operas, concerts and dance events, but also serves as a training space for the world’s most talented young singers and performers.

Opened in 1986, it 1990: The Opera School returns to Britten with a production of ‘The Rape of Lucretia’. It was the first has seen an array opera to be conducted by the present Director of of performances, Opera, Michael Rosewell. collaborations and spectacles over the past 25 years. Here are just a few 1992: The Opera School collaborates with the London Handel Society for the first time in a production of ‘Il Pastor Fido’. This partnership has highlights… since become an annual fixture.

12 2008: The Opera School present its first schools’ matinée performance with excerpts from Janáček’s 1996: The Opera School stages its first double ‘The Cunning Little Vixen’. bill – Puccini’s ‘Suor Angelica’ and Ravel’s ‘L’heure Espagnole’.

2001: The new Benjamin Britten International Opera School is launched in September and celebrated with a performance of Britten’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. 2008: The Britten Theatre hosts ‘Resonate’, an exciting visual showcase created by RCM composers and Ballet Rambert School graduates.

2010: The production of Offenbach’s first full-length 2002: Sir Thomas Allen makes his directorial debut operetta ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ provides with the Opera School in a production of ‘Albert an entertaining Christmas treat for packed out Herring’. audiences in the Britten Theatre.

2006: Pumeza Matshikiza and Sophie Bevan share the title role in Monteverdi’s ‘L’incoronazione di Poppea’. 2011: Composer Simon Holt works with RCM musicians for a performance of his solo and chamber works in the Britten Theatre as part of his ‘Black Lanterns’ residency. 13 Meeting the supporters...

British financier and philanthropist Leopold de Rothschild has been a life- long supporter of the arts. He talks to Upbeat about his role as Chairman of the RCM Centenary Appeal which raised the funds to make possible, among other things, the building of the Britten Theatre.

How did you become involved with the Royal College of Music? I used to sing with The Bach Choir and they had voice trials (which we all dreaded!) once every three years. One particular audition was held at the Royal College of Music with Sir David Willcocks, the then Director of the College. Before he began the audition he said: “Can I ask you a favour?” I was so keen to successfully re-audition for the choir I said: “Anything”. He asked if I would join the College Council and of course I said yes. Thankfully I passed my There were three objectives to the What are your memories of the opening audition too! fundraising – the construction of a new gala performances in 1986? canteen, library and opera theatre. And It was a very exciting and proud moment Has music always played an important we did it in that order. At that time for me, but I also felt a huge sigh of relief part in your life? the College had a theatre for opera that we’d actually got there! I sat next to Yes, very much so. I play the piano and productions – known as the Parry the Queen for the first half of concert am lucky enough to have lessons with Theatre – but it was in the basement and they opened the programme with John Blakely at the moment, who is a underneath the main concert hall and ‘The Building of the House’ by Benjamin professor at the RCM. I particularly enjoy wasn’t sound proofed. So you couldn’t Britten. I knew it had originally been playing Bach. I also really enjoy singing have a concert in both spaces at the written for the opening of Snape and believe I must have sung in more same time. It was really quite a tiny space Maltings Concert Hall in Aldeburgh and than 100 performances of the Matthew too! thought I’d tell this to the Queen. She Passion. The Bach Choir, with whom I replied: ‘I know, I opened it!’ sang with for more than 50 years, used Did you organise many fundraising to give it two performances a year and events? Do you have a favourite performance we even took it on tour. So I think I know We arranged a number of fundraising in the Britten Theatre? the piece pretty well now. events including a big auction at I’ve seen so many, it’s hard to choose. Christies. Lady Penn, a member of the But I very much enjoyed the recent You were made the Chairman of the Centenary Appeal Committee, helped production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Centenary Appeal in 1982. What was organise this event and it was a great Patience, and I’ve heard it went down your role in raising funds to build the success. I’d actually underwritten certain very well at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. I Britten Theatre? items – two pictures – and ended up imagine it must have been very hard to Well I’d never done anything quite like getting both of them. They’re now translate some of the lines into French this before but I was wonderfully well really the best pieces in my collection. though! served by my committee, particularly One belonged to Peter Pears and the the Deputy Chairman Lady Airlie. I other was a picture by Arthur Boyd, a Looking back on the appeal, you suppose the first important moment in leading Australian painter, and created must be incredibly proud of what you the appeal came when I went to see the specifically for the auction. achieved. Chairman of the National Westminster Yes, I still feel a tingle of pride every time Bank (which was the original bank of We also had a 14-hour ‘Musithon’, I come to the Theatre. We would never the College), and asked if they would which was a day of music making to have achieved what we did without so contribute to the fund. He listened and raise funds. One of the activities on much support, particularly from Prince agreed to donate what he thought was offer was the opportunity to conduct Charles, Sir David Willcocks and the an appropriate figure. I dared to suggest the orchestra for a pound a minute. Committee. I was also very grateful to a bigger figure – and got it! It was very You could choose what you wanted to Martin Harris for taking over from me valuable donation because the moment conduct and I decided on the overture as Chairman of the Appeal. Looking one bank gave a certain sum, the others from the Marriage of Figaro. I had a little back on it, I enjoyed the experience all followed suit. coaching session with Sir David Willcocks enormously. beforehand, but when I got up on the podium the orchestra played it almost at half speed. So instead of paying about £3, I think it came closer to £10!

14 Supporting the future of music...

We would like to thank the following Stephen Catto Memorial Award Ellen Moloney individuals, companies and charitable Sudborough Foundation John Nickson & Simon Rew trusts who have made donations of £1,000 The Reed Foundation David Poultney or more in the last year: Ian & Meriel Tegner Russell Race Supporters of named scholarships and HR Taylor Trust John Ward Junior Fellowships The Wolfson Foundation The Worshipful Company of Drapers Other generous donors ABRSM Amaryllis Fleming Foundation * Ann Driver Trust The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers Arts & Business Laurie Barry and the John Barry Scholarship The Worshipful Company of Musicians Astor Foundation for Film Composition Fund The Wyseliot Charitable Trust Mr Brandon Bakshi Bell Percussion Tsukanov Family Alan Bekhor Boltini Trust Supporters of RCM Sparks Edward Brooks FRCM Sir Roger and Lady Carr HonRCM David Ross Foundation (lead supporter) The Broccoli Foundation The Charles Peel Charitable Trust * EMI Music Sound Foundation Karen Cook Celia & Andrew Curran Hamish & Carol Ritchie Charles Napper Award Jonathan Davie ING Bank N.V. Mariya Ermolayeva Derek Butler Trust J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust Douglas Downie Richard Everard Lucie Allsopp Memorial Fund Lucy Fleming Elsa & Leonard Cross Charitable Trust Rodolphe Olard & Susan Sinclair Estate of Angela Nankivell Estate of Albert Frost Estate of David Luck Corporate Partners Jeremy Furniss Estate of Ian Evans Lombe BP International Ltd Mr & Mrs Grace Estate of Roselyn Ann Clifton Parker Hatch Mansfield Tony & Linda Hill * The Georgina Joshi Foundation The Royal Garden Hotel The Kathleen and Margery Elliott Gilbert and Eileen Edgar Junior Endsleigh Scholarship Trust Fellowship Nicholas Hunka Fund Patrons of the RCM Opera Circle Nicola Jones Gylla Godwin and RCM Chamber Music Circle Kirby Laing Foundation Hester Laverne Award John & Catherine Armitage * Estate of Pamela Larkin HF Music Awards Philip & Christine Carne * Professor Colin Lawson FRCM Independent Opera Artist Support Matthew & Fiona Collins * Irene Hanson Award Sir Vernon & Lady Ellis Michael Llewelyn-Jones Janatha Stubbs Charitable Trust Gisela Gledhill * Elizabeth van Merkensteijn Jenny Marsh Chapman Memorial Fund Charles & Kaaren Hale Satish Modi John Lewis Partnership Awards Christina Hoseason * Dr Victoria Moore-Gillon Kathleen Trust Yatish Joshi * Estate of I Morgan Ros Kelly James & Clare Kirkman * Paul Morgan Charitable Trust The David Laing Foundation Dr Mark Levesley * Music Sales Charitable Trust Leverhulme Trust Sir Peter & Lady Middleton FRCM Estate of Janet O’Sullivan Mark and Liza Loveday Dr Leonard Polonsky & John Paynter Lord & Lady Lurgan Trust Dr Georgette Bennett * Peter Moores Foundation Lydia Napper Award Richard & Sue Price Geoffrey Richards HonRCM Michael Whittaker Award Emma Rose & Quentin Williams * Roland Rudd Monica & Guy Black Scholarship Victoria Sharp Miss Kathleen Beryl Sleigh Noswad Charity Alethea Siow & Jeremy Furniss * Charitable Trust Opperby Stokowski Collection Trust Michael and Ruth West * Estate of Gerald Smith Phoebe Benham Junior Fellowship Reed Smith LLP Professor Lord Winston Patrons Circle Michael Steen OBE HonRCM Richard Carne Trust Jane Barker * Barry Sterndale-Bennett Sir Gordon Palmer Award Halina & John Bennett Fiona Wilson Sir Peter & Lady Walters Award Sally Bilboul Estate of David Young South Square Trust Tania Chislett The Esmee Fairbain Foundation Stanley Picker Trust Sir Anthony Cleaver FRCM Dasha Shenkman Steinway & Sons and Lady Cleaver St Marylebone Educational Foundation David & Sue Lewis *also support a named award Welcome to new Friends and Supporters We are delighted to welcome the following people who have recently made their first donation to RCM Mrs Finola Andrews Mrs Michela Cocolin Mr Philip Mutton Mr Andrew Arden Mr Nick Collings Mr Norman Reintamm Mrs Consuelo Bermudez Mr Philippe Fragniere Ms Caroline Smith Ms Elizabeth Bridge Miss M Geier Mr Andrew Tingley Mr and Mrs Richard Buckingham Mr and Mrs John Heywood Mr Dominic Ward Mrs Patricia Challens Miss Sascha Levy Mr David Watson Mr Gerald Cinamon Mrs Kathryn Minton

15 Staff notes

concerts in Norway and Sweden and Bassoon professor Martin Gatt has then at the beginning of September she designed a course to help musicians made another brief visit to Switzerland perform under pressure. It is closely for a concert in St Imier. Later in the allied to sports psychology, with the aim month she played in Germany for the of helping musicians who suffer from International Festwochen Rheinland- crippling stage fright. Pfalz, and for the Bachfest Wetzlar 2011, organised by the Neuen Bachsellschaft. Piano professor Leon McCawley has released his latest CD with Somm Conducting professor Natalia Luis-Bassa Recordings. The album features all the has worked with the National Children’s major piano music by Samuel Barber, Orchestra of Great Britain for the third as well as some of his earlier childhood consecutive summer. She performed works. with the main orchestra at the Sage Gateshead with a programme featuring Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony and pieces by Latin American composers such as Ginastera, Márquez and Villa-Lobos.

Guitar professor Carlos Bonell has Joseph Horovitz released his latest album entitled Magical Mystery Guitar Tour and has performed Composer Joseph Horovitz has been the selections from the disc in London and subject of a BBC Radio 4 documentary the south of England. The album this summer about his life in music. features 15 tracks composed by John He discussed his long career with Lennon, Paul McCartney and George fellow composer Debbie Wiseman in a Harrison and is available from programme which included excerpts www.carlosbonell.com and iTunes. from his works, ranging from the Husband and wife Yuri Zhislin and award-winning Captain Noah and his Natalia Lomeiko have performed Matthew Shlomowitz’s latest work Floating Zoo and scores for TV dramas Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Theme Street Parade, which was to chamber music such as his String violin and viola with the Queensland commissioned by the BBC for French Quartet no 5. Among the contributors Symphony Orchestra in Brisbane, string quartet Quatour Diotima, receives were alumnus and conductor John Australia. Yuri also premiered a new its world premiere at the Huddersfield Wilson, choreographer Wayne Sleep work for viola, piano and string quartet Contemporary Music Festival on and Bach Choir conductor David Hill. by Ana Maria Avram at the Enescu Saturday 28 November. He also has The BBC producer was alumnusLuke Festival in Bucharest. Whitlock. A five-hour programme of works being performed at Kings Place, music by Joseph Horovitz, including a the November Music Festival (Den phone interview, was also broadcast Bosch), Muziekgebouw (Amsterdam) this summer on KUSC, the Los Angeles and De Singel (Antwerp). classical music radio station. Area Leader in Composition for Screen Junior Department piano teacher Vasco Hexel reached the final of the Clara Rodriguez has featured on the Transatlantyk Film Music Competition Southbank Centre classical music blog in Poznan, Poland. He was one of ten answering questions about her favourite finalists and received an honorary fictional hero, life lessons and whom mention at the closing gala. she admires the most. She has also performed at the Purcell Room with Vocal professor Sally Burgess has other highly regarded artists specialising been appointed to run four, two-day in Latin-American chamber music workshops for Live Music Now (LMN) including flautist Efrain Oscher and tenor over the next two years. LMN music Roland Villazón. programmes deliver social, emotional, physical and educational benefits to Organ professor Margaret Phillips had participants of all ages. The workshops a busy summer, kicking off in July with are aimed at string, wind, vocal and a recital at the Summer Organ Festival keyboard students. Please visit at Westminster Abbey. Later that same www.livemusicnow.org for more week she flew to Switzerland to teach information. at the Académie de Musique Tibor Varga in Sion. In August she gave seven Yuri Zhislin

16 Piano professor Dina Parakhina has Ian Jones, Assistant Head of Keyboard participated in ArtEndins, a new project and professor of piano, gave masterclasses in Mallorca which aims to develop and at the World Piano Conference in Serbia promote new initiatives and projects in June and at the Poros International within music. She also spent two weeks Summer Piano Academy in August. in Singapore teaching at the Nanyang The Greek island of Poros played host to Academy of Fine Arts as part of the ten days of music-making by 90 pianists Visiting Professors Scheme. from around the world. These included 15 pianists from the RCM who played Gary Ryan, Assistant Head of Strings, was concertos or rectials as part of the Poros interviewed by BBC Radio 3 as part of International Festival. the BBC Proms ‘Spanish Night’ in July. He has also performed at the World Youth Guitar Festival in Cheltenham, the Isle of Man Guitar Festival and the North Norfolk Music Festival. Professor of piano accompaniment Simon Lepper has performed the world premiere of Sonata for Violin and Piano by Christian Mason. Simon performed the work with violinist Carolin Widmann Adrian Butterfield at Wigmore Hall in a programme which also included pieces by Bach, Xenakis and Stravinsky. Baroque violin professor Adrian Butterfield has organised a ‘Chandos Gary Ryan Day’ at the London Handel Festival. He gave a lecture-recital on the Duke of Chandos at North London Collegiate School (which is on the site of the Spotlight on… The week culminated with a concert. Chandos’ mansion in Canons Park) and Unfortunately a rain storm prevented it from being performed in the beautiful conducted Chandos Anthems in the Vocal professors Richard Jackson, 17th-century open-air theatre in church for which they were written. He Russell Smyth and Andrew Robinson Cornillon, so they used a local church has also conducted Handel’s Alcina in along with former Director of Opera instead! Bucharest and Bach’s B minor Mass at Studies Mary Hill have organised a the Tilford Bach Festival. summer school at Cratoule in the Some of the opera scenes and songs South of France. Alexander professors Judith Kleinman studied at the course will be performed in London on 21 January while and Peter Buckoke have attended the A group of 20 students, including five auditions for Cratoule 2012 will take International Congress of Alexander from the RCM, attended the course place on 22 January. Teachers in Lugano, Switzerland. Judith in August and had the opportunity gave a workshop connecting Tai Chi to to study opera and mélodie, as well See www.cratoule.com for more Alexander, while Peter talked on the as Lieder and English song repertoire. information. development of Alexander teaching at the RCM from the 1950s to the present. They saw some very interesting work being demonstrated by teachers from all over the world.

Vocal professor Eiddwen Harrhy has spent a month teaching at the University of Berlin as part of the Erasmus Programme. Singers from China, Japan, USA, Finland and Sweden attended the course and worked on Handel and Mozart arias. The Erasmus programme allows academic and administrative staff to teach or work elsewhere in one of the 30 other participating countries in Europe.

17 Student notes

Harpsichordist Alice Wai Kit Chan has Composition won the Honourable Mention Prize at the 10th Broadwood Harpsichord congratulations... Competition in London... Alexey Pedro Faria Gomes has been appointed Chernov has won Second Prize at Composer-in-Residence and professor the Cleveland International Piano of Composition and Music Theory at Competition in the USA… Poom the Hong Kong University of Science Prommachart has won First Prize at the and Technology... Kiyun Kim has been 2nd International Piano Competition nominated for the 2011 Jerry Goldsmith in Thailand with a performance of Awards in the ‘Best Song in a Film’ Beethoven’s Concerto no 5… Vanessa category… Benjamin MacDougall Benelli Mosell has released her debut has won the International Film Scoring album Virtuoso Piano Music with Brilliant Competition at The Indie Gathering Film Classics. Festival in the USA… Lauri Supponen has been awarded one of the Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Awards. Part of his prize includes a commission for the 2012 Cheltenham Festival… Mark Boden has been awarded a place on the Leverhulme Ayaka Tanimoto Young Composers Scheme with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and will produce a new work for members of the Competition for Baroque Opera Pietro LPO next June… William Dougherty Antoni Cesti. His prize includes a concert has been interviewed by Clive Cookson at the Vienna Konzerthaus during the and Diana Garnham at the Financial 2012 Vienna Resonanzen Festival… Times for their weekly podcast FT Baritone Morgan Pearse has reached Science regarding the premiere of his the finals of the 2011 Australian Singing piece In Time for brass sextet at the Competition. Science Museum… Chris Roe has won First Prize in the Junior Category of the International Antonín Dvořák Keyboard Composition Competition. He also won two special prizes for best variation/fuga accomplishments... and best religious vocal music… Edward Bell has collaborated with Yorkshire- Vasco Rocha has won First Prize at Yuki Ito based poet Ian Duhig on a song for the 13th edition of the Saint Cecilia soprano and piano. This new work,False competition in Portugal. His prize Relations, was premiered at the 2011 includes three recitals including one Leeds Lieder Festival… Arne Gieshoff with the Portuguese North Orchestra… has been commissioned by the Size Zero Sangwon Kim has won Fifth Prize at Opera Company to write a chamber the Washington International Piano opera to be premiered in 2013. Competition in the USA. Singing sensations... Mezzo soprano Ayaka Tanimoto has won First Prize at the 3rd International Ernest Bloch Music Competition... Soprano Joohyun Lee has won First Prize at the 4eme Concours International des Jeunes Chanteurs Lyriques de Nîmes… Tenor Peter Kirk has sung a role in the ENO’s new commission Two Boys by Nico Muhly… Countertenor Rupert Enticknap has been awarded a special prize at the 2nd International Singing Rupert Enticknap Vanessa Benelli Mosell

18 String successes... Spotlight on... Harpist Cristina Di Bernardo has won First Prize at the First International Soprano Laura Wright has released her debut solo album with Harp Contest ‘Suoni d’Arpa’ in Italy and The Last Rose Decca. a special prize ‘Nino Rota’ for the best performance of ‘Sarabanda e Toccata’… The album features a collection of Violinist Ben Baker has won Second English folk music with full orchestral Prize at Postacchini International Violin arrangements by John Rutter, Patrick Competition… Cellist Yuki Ito has Hawes and Paul Mealor. The songs performed Dvořák’s Cello Concerto stretch back as far as the 1600s with with the Philharmonia Orchestra in The Water is Wide, and travel through Windsor Castle’s Waterloo Chamber the centuries to more modern works as at the opening concert of the Autumn Down by the Salley Gardens, a setting of Windsor Festival. His debut album, a a poem by W.B Yeats. recording of Rachmaninov’s cello sonata will be released on Champs Hill Records Laura commented: “These are melodies early next year… Violinist Mari Poll that have lasted for centuries, and has won joint First Prize at the Derek somehow everyone seems to know them Previously Laura was a member of Butler London Prize… Joo Yeon Sir has even if they can’t remember how. I think the classical girl group All Angels and performed Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto it’s great to have them all assembled achieved great success with the vocal with the Eastbourne Symphony on an album in some fantastic new quartet, gaining Classical Brit Award Orchestra as a result of winning their arrangements.” nominations and record-breaking sales. Young Soloist Competition… Cristina di Bernardo and Silvia Vicario have performed Parish Alvars’ Double Harp Conference Research Competition, held Concerto at Chelsea Town Hall with in Los Angeles. From the 64 papers the Kensington and Chelsea Symphony submitted in the first round, eight Orchestra. were presented in the final held at California State University in August. David’s paper entitled The Extraordinary Life of the Clarinet Sonata by Francis Poulenc was praised by the adjudicating panel… Marimba player Daniel Bolgar has attended a percussion festival in Portugal, where he performed three solo marimba concerts and two percussion masterclasses… Flautist Lindsay Bryden has won Second Prize in the 3rd International Ernest Bloch Music Competition.

Cecilia Sultana de Maria

Harpist Cecilia Sultana de Maria has Other been invited to travel to Australia to represent Malta and the UK in a special achievements... Commonwealth Observance at St George’s Cathedral in Perth. The event Postgraduate conductor Robert Hodge is a service of praise and thanksgiving has been awarded the Bob Harding for the nations of the Commonwealth, Bursary for Young Conductors. The their unity and diversity… Violist Patrick bursary enables young conductors to Rutland has recently returned to the work with Havant Symphony Orchestra, College after a year spent studying at conducting both in rehearsal and the Manhattan School of Music. He concert, and has been awarded every studied with Patinka Kopec and had year since 1987… Doctoral student the opportunity to observe Pinchas David Kirby has won Second Prize at Robert Hodge Zukerman in his teaching. the International Clarinet Association

19 Alumni notes

Composer Edmund Jolliffe has Conductor Simon Halsey has been composed music for Looking for Lowry, awarded the Verdienstkreuz 1e Klasse a new programme for ITV’s Perspectives for services to German cultural life. He series; The Truth Behind for the National has also won ‘Best Choral Performance’ Geographic Channel; Freddie Flintoff Grammy Award for his work on EMI vs The World for ITV and Cranio Facial Classics’ release of Stravinsky’s Symphony Surgery for BBC 2. His symphonic work of Psalms. The disc features Simon’s own Saturnalia has been premiered by the St Berlin Radio Choir alongside the Berlin Albans Symphony Orchestra and will be Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Simon performed again next year. He has also Rattle. arranged music for Trinity Guildhall’s Electronic Keyboard Syllabus. Conductor Peter Bassano has been re-appointed as Music Director of the Oxford University Sinfonietta for a third year. The OU Sinfonietta is a small group specialising in the performance of repertoire from the early classical period in combination with contemporary chamber music.

Bridget Cunningham’s album Handel Mark Bowden in Ireland has been named ‘Album of the month’ by Early Music Radio. The disc features original harpsichord music and Composer Mark Bowden has been Peter Bradley-Fulgoni arrangements by Handel, Roseingrave appointed Resident Composer with and Carter as well as virtuosic operatic BBC National Orchestra of Wales. In arrangements from Handel’s Rinaldo by this post he will write three new works Pianist Peter Bradley-Fulgoni has William Babell. commissioned by BBC Radio 3 over the been invited to perform at the Richter next three years, which will be premiered Memorial Apartment in Moscow, the Flautist Anna Stokes has released her by the orchestra. In addition, he has been International Music Festival at Tarusa debut CD of solo and chamber works appointed Composer-in-Residence at and the Moscow State University Faculty with the Emanuel Ensemble. Comprising Rambert Dance Company, the national of Arts. Cambridge University Press has flute, cello and piano, the group has company for contemporary dance and published his article on Beethoven’s recorded works by Kapustin, Gaubert, has joined the National Orchestra of Piano Sonatas and he renews his Schumann, Farrenc and Piazzolla. It is Wales as its resident composer. association with Foxglove Audio in the available for purchase via their website: autumn with a recording of 20th century www.emanuelensemble.co.uk Majestic Brass comprising alumni Mike works. Poyser, Paul Munday, John Stokes, Nick Hougham and Craig Burnett Soprano Alexandra Hutton has won are planning to travel to Gulu in North Second Prize in the Operetta section Uganda to work with 2,200 displaced of the Belvedere Competition in children. They will take out 30 brass Vienna and has been award the special instruments and teach two local Deutsche Oper prize which guarantees musicians so the band can continue after her a role in the next year. Alexandra they leave. To support Majestic Brass and has also performed Górecki Symphony their project please visit: of Sorrowful Songs with the Royal www.majesticbrass.co.uk Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall.

Timothy Carey

Conductor Timothy Carey has been appointed Assistant Conductor at Opera North on Neil Bartlett’s production of Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades. He also toured with the ETO earlier this year as Staff Music Director conducting Fantastic Mr Fox by Tobias Picker, and Majestic Brass performances of La clemenza di Tito.

20 was presented by the Lord Bishop of Composer Simon Coleman has written Blackburn, the Right Reverend Nicholas the music for Little England, a new series Reade in front of a large congregation. for ITV1. Filmed in the Dordogne and narrated by Geoffrey Palmer, the show Violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen has follows the lives of expats who have teamed up with the Tricycle Theatre settled in France and adopted a French in Kilburn, London, to present a series way of life, but with a distinctly British of Sunday chamber music concerts. twist. The series, which also featured alumna Sophie Lockett and JD teacher Sarah- Composer Kenneth Hesketh has been Jane Bradley, aimed to present great commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic masterpieces in a more informal way Society Drummond Fund to write a new Soprano Peta Blyth than would be possible in a traditional piece for ensemble Psappha and Phoenix concert hall. Dance Theatre. The piece will tour nationally in 2013. Soprano Peta Blyth and her husband have presented their tenth open-air Mezzo-soprano Emily Kenway has sung classical music event, ‘Opera in the the role of Mrs Kneebone in Lennox Paddock’ in rural north west New Berkeley’s A Dinner Engagement. The South Wales, Australia. A 20 piece production was directed by Stuart Barker orchestra, seven singers, including two and staged by the Minotaur Music singers sponsored by Opera Australia, a Theatre Company at the Rosemary didgeridoo soloist and a synchronised Branch Theatre in London. firework finale were employed to mark the anniversary. Violinist Haik Kazazian has won Second Prize (no first was awarded) at the 2011 The Arensky Chamber Orchestra - George Enescu International Violin including alumni Rowan Bell and Competition. The competition took Steffan Rees and current students place at the beginning of September William Kunhardt and Ben Norris - in Bucharest, and is considered one of has performed at Cadogan Hall with the most prestigious violin competitions guest director Stephanie Gonley. The worldwide. programme featured performances of Marcos Fernandez has been appointed both the chamber and string orchestra Composer-in-Residence for the artistic versions of Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht, company Cre.Art Project and has as well as art displays inspired by the composed music for the production of music. www.theaco.co.uk Noctum, a multidisciplinary chamber opera. Marcos has also received a Luis Parés has been appointed Head commission to score the soundtrack for of Keyboard at Repton School in The Day of Blood, a feature film by the Derbyshire. Luis already enjoys a Tamsin Waley-Cohen Spanish director Gonzalo Lopez. successful performing career, which has taken him to the USA, Spain, Swizterland, Pianist Ivana Gavric has released Isreal and the UK in the last year Denver Cathedral Colorado has recorded her second album From the Street on alone. He is also Executive Director of Philip Cannon’s choral symphony Son Champs Hill Records. On the disc, Ivana New Virtuosi, whose Artistic Director is of God. Written for double chorus, it completes her survey of Janáček’s solo RCM Professor Ani Schnarch. was originally commissioned by the BBC works and places them alongside pieces to mark Britain’s entry into Europe and by Ravel and Prokofiev. Soprano Susanna Hurrell has sung the highlights his rugged individuality and role of Rose Maurant in a production contrapuntal clarity. The cathedral has of Kurt Weill’s opera Street Scene with also commissioned him to write a new The Opera Group. The production’s choral work. first appearance at the Young Vic was followed by a UK tour and performances Soprano Robyn Parton has been in Vienna. awarded the Haidee Saretzky Prize for the Most Promising Singer under Organist John Bertalot has been 26 at the Les Azuriales Ozone Young honoured at a special service in Artists’ Competition on Sunday. Opera Blackburn Cathedral for his 70 years of Now editor Ashutosh Khandekar, who service to Church music around world. sat on the jury, commented: “Robyn John is the Cathedral Organist Emeritus Parton, aged just 24, showed plenty of and Director of Music Emeritus of thoughtful and delicate poise in her aria Trinity Episcopal Church, NJ. The award from Strauss’s Rosenkavalier”.

21 Births, marriages & obituaries

We are sad to report the death of RCM Obituaries timpani professor Janos Keszei. A Marriages founding member of the Orchestra of It is with great regret that we report Congratulations to alumni the Age of Enlightenment and a regular Emma the death on 29 April of David Mason, in many London orchestras, Janos taught Vallender and Neil McGovern on their trumpeter and former RCM professor. at the RCM for more than three decades marriage in May. Born in 1926, David entered the College and helped to nurture many great at the age of 16 as a Foundation Scholar. players of today, including RCM Head He studied trumpet with Ernest Hall of Percussion, David Hockings. David and piano (as a second study) with commented: “Janos was my teacher Harry Stubbs. After leaving the College, some 30 years ago. In every sense an he joined the orchestra of the Royal intriguing man, he was never predictable Opera House, moving on to the Royal and always fascinating to be with. His Philharmonic Orchestra where he attitude towards me at College was that eventually became principal trumpet. of a second father. He not only helped After seven years in that role he moved me choose (and send back) my first set to the Philharmonia, where he remained of timpani, but also came with me to for most of the rest of his orchestral negotiate a good price on my VW Van, career. His stature as a performer is ‘the timpanist’s choice’.” He will be missed well documented, and he is featured by everyone at the RCM and by the in innumerable recordings, possibly wider professional music community. the best known of which is his piccolo trumpet solo in the Beatles’ recording of It is with great regret we report the death Penny Lane. He was appointed professor of Mark Alexander Sinnett Jones on 5 of trumpet at the Royal College of Music July. Mark studied for a BMus at the RCM in 1970 and retired in 1998. During in the 1990s learning the organ with those years David was a major influence Nicholas Danby and piano with Peter Neil McGovern and Emma Vallender on the development of generations of Element. world-class trumpeters. His many former students continue the musical tradition Violinist Raymond Keenlyside passed Births inherited from him, and there are few away in June. Raymond was the leader orchestras which do not include one or of the Aeolian String quartet for many Alumna Christina Lawrie and her more of his protégés. This is a remarkable years and had a close association with husband Marcus are thrilled to announce testament to his talent and dedication the RCM, not least as a violin tutor to the the safe arrival of their daughter Mairi- as a teacher. David was not only highly Junior Department Symphony Orchestra. Anna Isabella, born on 12th May in respected but also very well-liked in Junior Department Director Peter Dundee. the profession. He was self-effacing and Hewitt said “He was a most distinguished courteous – ‘a real gentleman’ is how musician and both his students and his Language coach Norbert Meyn and his one colleague described him – and, colleagues learnt a huge amount from wife Stefanie are delighted to announce through the Royal Society of Musicians, him. He will be greatly missed.” the birth of their daughter Marietta worked tirelessly to help colleagues in Livia Meyn on June 13 at Saint Thomas all branches of the music profession Hospital London. experiencing financial difficulties as a result of illness or other reasons. He will Junior Department Administrator Alice be greatly missed. Harper and her husband are delighted to announce the birth of their son George We are sad to learn of the death of cellist Edward Harper on 12 August. Bernard Greenhouse, founding member of the legendary Beaux Arts Trio. Head of Strings Mark Messenger remembers his link with the RCM: “Bernard was a dear friend of the College and to its Mairi-Anna Isabella students. He was a visiting professor since 2005 and gave so generously of his time and his wisdom. Every musician who had the privilege of coming into contact with him will have been transformed by the experience. Our musical community will be the poorer for his passing, but the richer for having known him.”

Marietta Livia Meyn George Edward Harper

22

Royal College of Music Prince Consort Road London SW7 2BS Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 4300 Fax: +44 (0)20 7591 4737 Email: [email protected] www.rcm.ac.uk The Royal College of Music is a registered charity. No. 309268

Box Office: 020 7591 4314 weekdays 10.00am-4.00pm Upbeat: 020 7591 4372 [email protected] Alumni: 020 7591 4368 [email protected] RCM Friends: 020 7591 4331 [email protected] Supporting the RCM: 020 7591 4320 [email protected] Hiring RCM facilities: 020 7591 4674 [email protected] Hiring RCM musicians: 020 7591 4367 [email protected] Switchboard: 020 7591 4300 [email protected]

Upbeat is printed on Lumi Silk, which consists of fibre sourced from sustainable forests.

Designed and Produced by The Design Avenue •www.thedesignavenue.co.uk