SCHERZO Casting Call Il Turco in Italia – Rossini 4th & 5th July 2020 This Summer, Scherzo will embark on its 2nd opera at Longhope, Hampshire. Last year’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia played to over 1000 people, including 420 at Longhope. This year, we are holding two performances on the 4th & 5th at Longhope and will invite school children from all over Hampshire to the Dress Rehearsal on the 3rd July. Music Director – Matthew O’Keeffe Director – Charlotte McKechnie Producer – Ilona Bushell Production The production will be set just south of Naples around 1810, when the area was under Napoleonic control and is experiencing new ideas of liberalism and an arts & architectural renaissance. This was a period of huge European transition and therefore offers ample material from which to draw to highlight the social comedic conflicts in the plot. In contrast to the regeneration of Naples, the Ottoman Empire/Turkey had been in decline for 50 years, setting up a farcical culture-clash. Performed in Italian with orchestra and surtitles. Dates London Rehearsal – King’s College, London Music Calls 12th & 13th June Staging Calls 15th - 30th June Chorus from 22nd June Longhope Rehearsals – Longhope, Newton Valence Accommodation, meals & transport provided Technical Rehearsal 2nd July Dress Rehearsal 3rd July (with school children) Performances 4th & 5th July Roles Don Geronio, a Neapolitan gentleman bass Selim, a Turkish Prince bass Narciso, in love with Fiorilla tenor Prosdocimo, a poet baritone Albazar, a Turk tenor Gypsies, Turks, Italians – Chorus 2T 1B Fees All-in: Roles - £750, Chorus - £200 Final Audition Day Sunday 8th March 2 – 5:30pm Venue: King’s College London, Stand Campus Requirement: One aria and Recitativo secco from an opera by Rossini. We will provide an accompanist. If you are unable to make these auditions, we will accept video submissions (with the same requirement). Contact Please email Ilona at [email protected] with either your CV & availability or a video submission. .