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Home , Adelson e Salvini, Angela Meade, Belisario, Il paria, Jennifer Larmore, Les martyrs

Opera Rara’s mission is to rediscover, restore, record and perform the lost operatic heritage of the 19th century ‘ It is so important that someone keeps us in touch with these extraordinary works; I urge you to help us’

Sir Mark Elder CH, CBE Artistic Director, Rara

Sir Mark Elder Recording , winner of the International Opera Award for Best Recording, 2016 For over 40 years, has been bringing This body of work has led to a fundamental revaluation of neglected operatic masterpieces back to life the reputation and output of Donizetti, Pacini, Mercadante through our acclaimed concerts and award-winning and Offenbach, changing the way in which these recordings – building an ever-growing musical composers are perceived internationally. archive available to audiences all over the world. Opera Rara believes in the ‘creation of excellence’, In recent years we have achieved unprecedented achieved through its total commitment to the highest artistic success under the expert guidance of renowned musical standards. Rigorous musical and stylistic conductor and Opera Rara Artistic Director, Sir Mark preparation is undertaken with singers well in advance of Elder. This has been publically recognized through all recordings and performances, as well as an intensive major awards, notably Best Opera Recording at the rehearsal period prior to each event. International Opera Awards for Offenbach’s (2015) and Donizetti’s Les Martyrs (2016). Other critical Opera Rara has fostered the careers of some of modern works produced by Sir Mark during his tenure have opera’s greatest names. Our rich casts represent both included: Donizetti’s , Le Duc d’Albe, Linda di established artists and the best young singers. Renée Chamounix, and ; and Gounod’s Fleming made one of her first recordings for Opera Rara, La Colombe. has made 13 recordings and a countless number over the course of his career. This has also been a period of significant artistic Other star performers have included Colin Lee, Daniela collaborations. The first in 2015 for Leoncavallo’s Barcellona, , , Ildebrando masterpiece Zaza, conducted by and D’Arcangelo and Christopher Purves. starring Ermonelo Jaho, this was again nominated for the IOA’s Best Opera Recording. The second in 2016 for We have also facilitated debut studio recordings for Bellini’s first operaAdelson e Salvini, delivered by rising some of the most exciting emerging international young Italian conductor Daniele Rustioni with the BBC singers, including: Giannattasio, Symphony Orchestra. Joyce El-Khoury, Ermonela Jaho, , Erin Morley, Brenda Rae and . Sir Mark is supported by a strong team led by Opera Rara Chief Executive Henry Little, repertoire-expert Professor ( Professor of Music at Kings College ) and casting consultant Jesús Iglesias Noriega. In addition, Chairman Charles Alexander heads a committed Board of Trustees, all of whom contribute their time, expertise and investment to support our mission.

Opera Rara is proud to have created a permanent archive of over 100 recordings, including:

• 60 full-length • 24 by Donizetti and 9 by Rossini • 13 Il Salotto (song) series • 24 compilations and 13 artist collections

3 Opera Rara Opera Rara 3 Our Current and Future Plans JOYCE EL-KHOURY ÉCHO Carlo rizzi the hallÉ Carlo rizzi the hallÉ JOYCE EL-KHOURY JOYCE EL-KHOURY ÉCHO opera-rara.com Espoir by OperaRaraOfficial ÉCHO 1 Donizetti, ‘Regnava nel silenzio’ 8’30 2 Meyerbeer, ‘Robert, toi que j’aime’ 5’39 @OperaRara Michael Spyres, 3 Weber/Berlioz, Le Freyschütz ‘Hélas! sans le revoir’ 8’00 4 Rossini, Guillaume Tell ‘Ils s’éloignent enfin’ 8’30 5 Meyerbeer, Robert le diable ‘Va, dit-elle, va, mon enfant’ 6’37 6 Donizetti, Lucia di Lammermoor ‘Lucia, perdona...’* 13’23 2017 7 Hérold, Le Pré aux clercs ‘Jours de mon enfance’ 5’20 8 Meyerbeer, Robert le diable ‘Quand je quittai la Normandie’ 5’31 9 Halévy, La Juive ‘Assez longtemps la crainte et la tristesse’ 8’54 10 Berlioz, Benvenuto Cellini ‘Les belles fleurs’ 7’43 MICHAEL ESPOIR SPYRES *(with Michael Spyres) Carlo rizzi the hallÉ Carlo rizzi the hallÉ Total duration: 79’15 In Écho, her debut recital disc, Lebanese-Canadian MICHAEL SPYRES Joyce El-Khoury performs music from roles associated with MICHAEL SPYRES one of the leading singers of the 19th century, Julie Dorus- ESPOIR opera-rara.com Gras, who appeared in premieres by Donizetti, Berlioz, Meyerbeer and Halévy. OperaRaraOfficial ESPOIR 1 Rossini, Othello (Cavatine) ‘Venise, ô ma patrie’ 6’00 2 Donizetti, Rosmonda d’Inghilterra ‘Dopo i lauri di vittoria’ 4’30 @OperaRara

3 Halévy, GuidoORR252 et Ginévra ‘Dans ces lieux, Ginevra’ 9’06 ORR252 1CD 4 Verdi, ‘L’infamie! prenez ma vie!’ 3’59 © Opera Rara 2017 5 Halévy, Guido et Ginévra ‘Tu seras donc pour moi’* 12’15 6 Donizetti, Dom Sébastien ‘Seul sur la terre’ 5’11 7 Auber, Le Lac des fées ‘Ils s’éloignent je reste’ 6’26 8 Berlioz, Benvenuto Cellini ‘Seul pour lutter’ 8’35 9 Donizetti, ‘La maîtresse du Ro...’ 4’46 10 Halévy, La Reine de Chypre ‘Le voici donc enfin’ 6’45 11 Donizetti, Lucia di Lammermoor ‘Tombe degli avi miei’ 9’40 *(with Joyce El-Khoury) Echo by Total duration: 78’25

In Espoir, American tenor Michael Spyres performs music from roles created orJoyce widely sung by , El-Khoury, often credited as the ‘first modern tenor’ and a singer who combined French lyricism with the more forceful Italian style.

2017 ORR251 ORR251 1CD © Opera Rara 2017

Michael Spyres and Joyce El-Khoury, The Hallé, Carlo Rizzi Recording Release and Concert, Cadogan Hall (Friday 14 July 2017)

Opera Rara’s sole public concert in 2017 was a major performance at London’s Cadogan Hall, launching Espoir and Écho, two recital recordings New Studio Recording (Spring 2018) by two of the 21st century’s foremost singers – American tenor We are planning a major launch includes all of the lost passages Michael Spyres and Canadian/ event for our new studio recording traditionally cut by modern revival Lebanese soprano Joyce El-Khoury. of Semiramide, hosted by Sir Mark versions – sung by star artists Albina Elder. This exceptional recording Shagimuratova, Daniela Barcellona, Recorded in Manchester in February will be released following a run of and Mirco Palazzi. 2017 in collaboration with the Hallé performances at the Royal Opera and Italian conductor Carlo Rizzi, House. Immediately following the recording they were inspired by two of the 19th last summer, Opera Rara was century’s greatest singers, Gilbert- First performed in 1823, Semiramide engaged by the BBC to give a Louis Duprez and Julie Dorus-Gras, was Rossini’s last , concert performance of the work at featuring arias and duets curated by written at the height of his creative the BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall. Professor Roger Parker especially for powers. Hugely successful in its early This was an outstanding success, Spyres and El-Khoury. Creating an years, it was performed by some as shown by the Spectator’s glowing artistic bridge between the operatic of the greatest singers of the day. It review: excellence of the past and present, was also at the forefront of the revival the recital programme offers a mixture of Rossini’s “serious” operas in the ‘Rossini’s Semiramide is a challenge of well-known bel canto material 1960’s and 1970’s, during which to even the world’s top opera alongside work which has seldom, if period a famous Semiramide Decca houses. Running at well over four ever, been recorded or performed. recording was released starring Joan hours and demanding at least Sutherland and Marilyn Horne. three singers of superhuman vocal “Rare repertoire, polished strength and agility, it’s not a work orchestral playing, thrilling singing Opera Rara’s approach to this you tackle lightly. Enter Opera Rara, – it's no wonder London's operatic operatic masterpiece aims to make the little record label who could. cognoscenti were out in force. the opera speak in a different way Canny repertoire choices and superb They were amply rewarded” – Mark to new audiences. The work has casting have helped this enterprising Pullinger, bachtrack on the July 2017 been re-styled with comparatively outfit return many a work to the concert performance at London’s lighter, more agile and expressive popular canon, and if this concert Cadogan Hall voices, conducted by Sir Mark Elder preview of its latest release is and accompanied by the superlative anything to go by, it’s done it again.’ players of the Orchestra of the The Spectator Age of Enlightenment. Uniquely, it

4 Opera Rara L’Ange de Nisida Le Villi World Premiere Concert Studio Recording and Concert Studio Recording and Concert Performances and Live Recording Performance, Performance (Wednesday 21 November 2018) Barbican (Friday 8 June 2019) (18 and 21 July 2018) First performance of a new First performance of a new critical edition L’Ange de Nisida was planned as one of Donizetti’s first Parisian Opera Rara’s recording will give Donizetti composed Il Paria in 1828 operas, but the theatre that was audiences the chance to hear and it was first performed in to stage it went bankrupt before ’s first opera as it in January 1829. This was clearly it could be shown. Never one to has not been heard for more than 120 an important moment in Donizetti’s waste his compositions, Donizetti years. It is based on the short story career (it was a grand gala night at then incorporated some of the music Les Willis by Jean-Baptiste Alphone the San Carlo) and a work to which into his grand opéra, La favorite. In Karr. Karr’s story was in turn based in he gave special attention. But Gala this ground-breaking project, Opera the legend of the vila, also used in the nights had their own problems – no Rara will collaborate with the Royal ballet Giselle. Composed in 1883, the one was allowed to applaud until the Opera House to perform the world opera was first performed in in King did – and the opera was sadly premiere of the original L’Ange de 1884 and was subsequently revised not a success. Nisida – in a new performing edition as a two act opera. Opera Rara will commissioned by us from Italian record and perform the original one Hardly performed in the last 150 musicologist and researcher Dr act version in a new critical edition. years, it is one of the composer’s Candida Mantica. Building on our most innovative and daring scores, reputation for repositioning the great Sir Mark Elder will conduct the bringing a new exotic colour to Italian operatic masters, the piece will show London Philharmonic Orchestra, opera of the period, inspired by its the Parisian Donizetti in a completely the Opera Rara Chorus and a star setting in ancient India. In subsequent new light. cast that brings the great soprano years, Donizetti plundered parts of Ermonela Jaho back for her second the piece to furnish ideas for other This is a fascinating and passionate Opera Rara recording, following her works including , Anna drama, full of exciting vocal writing outstanding success in Leoncavallo’s Bolena, L’elisir and Le Duc d’Albe. and distinctive orchestral colours, Zazá. Ermonela will sing alongside But he went on record as saying that composed by Donizetti near the end two of the leading Italian singers of he was especially proud of Il Paria. of his life. We are delighted to be able today, Luca Salsi and tenor to present the first ever performance Fabio Sartori1. Sir Mark Elder will conduct the Britten 179 years after it was completed. Sir Sinfonia. will Mark Elder will conduct the Orchestra return for her second recording with and Chorus of the Royal Opera us, alongside a cast of the quality House and a cast that includes Joyce for which Opera Rara has become El-Khoury, the dazzling young Korean known. tenor David Junghoon Kim, and Russian , Evgeny Stavinsky.

1Artists and repertoire correct as at 10 April 2017

5 Opera Rara Why we need your support

For decades, Opera Rara has been bringing operas Opera Rara Friends and Patrons once threatened with extinction vividly back to life through acclaimed, award-winning recordings and Become a Friend or Patron of Opera Rara and support concerts. In a word in which opera companies find our mission to create a globally-accessible legacy of rare it increasingly difficult to survive, let alone expand and glorious music. their activities, the achievement of Opera Rara is a remarkable story. Opera Rara’s Friends and Patrons contribute vital funds to the cost of our work, facilitating our ambitious We need your support to ensure our future. Opera Rara annual programme of archival scholarship, recordings, is not grant funded, nor do we have substantial reserves concert performances and events. They are at the – every pound that we spend on our recordings and very heart of our commitment to rediscover, restore, concerts has to be raised from private donations. It takes record and perform the lost operatic heritage of the over half a million pounds per year to create two full 19th century for audiences across the world. As an length opera recordings and concert performances, not independent charity, we rely on the generosity of our to mention the additional costs of maintaining our archive. supporters. With a particularly ambitious programme for the coming years, we need your help more than ever to build this As our closest contributors, you will enjoy a range of indelible legacy of rare and glorious music for current and exclusive benefits including: future generations to enjoy. • Seasonal newsletters with the latest Opera Rara Every member of our Board of Trustees has already developments donated personally to support our work. We ask you to join them, facilitating the recording and performance • Website accreditation and dedicated supporter of neglected operatic masterpieces by world class area online artists, orchestras and conductors. Together, we will lay the foundations for Opera Rara’s future and bring • Priority ordering for Opera Rara recordings the wonderful operatic heritage of the 19th century to audiences worldwide. • Priority booking for select Opera Rara talks

To discuss joining the Opera Rara family of supporters, • Exclusive events with artists and leading please contact: musical experts

Henry Little, Chief Executive: Join Opera Rara today. Help us to restore, record and [email protected] perform the lost operatic heritage of the 19th century. or Aoife Daly, Fundraising and Events Manager: [email protected] +44 (0)20 7613 2858

‘ Any lover of opera should be grateful for the existence of Opera Rara. I know the value of this work from my own experience recording Donizetti’s Rosmonda d’Inghilterra with them. Without Opera Rara, recordings like that just wouldn’t be made and countless musical treasures would remain essentially lost, unheard and unappreciated by contemporary and future audiences.’ Renée Fleming, Patron, Opera Rara Photo: JonathanTichler

6 Opera Rara Ways you can support us

Become a Friend Become a Patron

I / we would like to become a: The Patrons are an exclusive group of supporters contributing major funding to our annual artistic Meyerbeer Friend £100 - £249 programme. They enjoy a closer relationship with the organisation, with bespoke opportunities to meet Rossini Friend £250 - £499 performers, collaborative partners and Trustees through a range of special events. Donizetti Friend £500 - £999 And I enclose / will transfer £ I / we would like to become a: Rediscovery Patron £1,000 - £2,499

Restoration Patron £2,500 - £4,999

Recording Patron £5,000 - £9,999 And I enclose / will transfer £

Donors of £10,000 and above form part of Opera Rara’s Artistic Circles. To find out more about these upper tiers, please contact the Development Team [email protected]

Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate. If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive Gift Aid is reclaimed by Opera Rara from the tax you pay for the current tax the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid year. Your address is needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer. donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code. In order to Gift Aid your donation you must tick here I want to Gift Aid my donation of £______and any donations I Please notify us if you: want to cancel this declaration, change your make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to Opera Rara name or home address, or no longer pay sufficient tax on your income I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or and/or capital gains. Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

Method of payment Signature 1. I enclose a cheque / CAF voucher for £ (payable to Opera Rara)

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Opera Rara is a Registered Charity: no 261403

7 Opera Rara Opera Rara 7 ADELSON ‘OPERA e SALVINI NEEDS LEONCAVALLO OPERA Maurizio Benini Ermonela Jaho, Riccardo Massi Stephen Gaertner, Patricia Bardon RARA’ BBC Symphony Orchestra DONIZETTI Luciano Pavarotti

Sir Mark Elder Angela Meade, Laurent Naouri Michael Spyres, Gianluca Buratto Hallé, Opera Rara Chorus

GOUNOD

Rediscovering, restoring, Chief Executive Opera Rara, Curtain House, recording and performing Henry Little 134-146 Curtain Road, the forgotten operatic London EC2A 3AR heritage of the 19th century Production Manager Aurélie Baujean Tel 020 7613 2858 Patrons Email [email protected] Renée Fleming Finance Director Juan Diego Flórez Irene Cook Opera Rara is a registered Simon Keenlyside charity no 261403 Fundraising and Events Manager Sir Mark Elder Artistic Director Erin Morley, Aoife Daly Company Limited by Michèle Losier, Laurent Naouri Sir Mark Elder CH, CBE Hallé Guarantee no 982535 Development Consultant Trustees Kirstin Peltonen Front cover Picture Credits Charles Alexander (Chairman) Albina Shagimuratova by Anthony Bunker Marketing Consultant Andrei Bogdanov Glenn Hurstfield Chaz Jenkins Daniela Barcellona by DONIZETTI Simon Mortimore QC Silvano Bacciardi John Nickson Casting Consultant Semiramide by Alison Nicol Jesús Iglesias Noriega Chris Christodoulou/BBC Islée Oliva Salinas Ermonela Jaho by Fadil Berisha Repertoire Consultant Sir Mark Elder CH by Simon Dodd Professor Roger Parker Opera Rara Photos by Russell Duncann Researchers and musicologists: Jean-Christophe Keck Dr Flora Willson Dr Candida Mantica Sir Mark Elder Joyce El-Khoury, Michael Spyres, David Kempster, Brindley Sherratt, opera-rara.com Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment