Hansel and Gretel at the Royal College of Music
Last Friday, a group of Sixth Form singers attended a Dress Rehearsal of Humperdinck’s opera, Hansel and Gretel, given by the students on the opera course at the Royal College of Music. The standard of singing, playing and acting was hugely impressive, matched by a highly imaginative production which had been updated to the late 1980s. It was an inspiring occasion for our singers and the Head of Singing at the RCM, Nicholas Sears, took the time to chat with them at the end of the performance. All in all, it was a perfect musical day out!
Master of the Queen’s Music Visits Purcell
On Wednesday (16th March), Purcell’s young composers and staff were treated to a visit from Judith Weir, Master of the Queen’s Music. Judith is one of the nation’s most highly regarded composers, and her work is performed all over the world. Her music and teaching, both distinctive and individual, had a profound effect on our students. We are hugely grateful that she gave her time, energy and experience so willingly.
Forthcoming Events
Monday 21st March – Purcell School Symphony Orchestra at Cadogan Hall
Time: 19.30
Venue: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
Tickets: Tickets available via cadoganhall.com box office
Lili Boulanger – D’un matin de printemps
Prokofiev – Violin Concerto no 1 in D
Sibelius – Symphony no 1 in e minor
Violin – Yinong Xiao
Conductor – Paul Hoskins
A thrilling programme of four beautiful and dramatic symphonic works, all written by young composers, played by young people all too glad to be back on stage in a very big orchestra.
Wednesday 23rd March – Sound Image Movement
Time: 19.00
Venue: The Purcell School, CP Hall
Tickets: Free admission. Please email concerts@purcell-school.org to register interest
Sound, Image, Movement is one the great opportunities for our students to give full rein to their creative spirit. All we ever know in advance is that there will be oodles of original work in many genres, outstanding performances, backing singers, and many happy surprises.
Thursday 24th March – Leicester Museum and Art Gallery
Time: 13.00
Venue: Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, 53 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7EA
Tickets: Available via leicestermuseums.arttickets.org.uk £15
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery is home to an eminent international concert series curated by Purcell alumnus Nicholas Daniel. We are honoured to be invited to perform there again, and work with local young musicians in a schools workshop with Leicestershire Music.
Monday 28th March – Brundibár
Time: 19.30
Venue: The Purcell School, CP Hall
Tickets: Free admission. Please email concerts@purcell-school.org to register interest
Brundibár is a children’s opera in two acts by Hans Krása and librettist Adolf Hoffmeister, composed in 1938 for a competition in the former Czechoslovakia. Today it is one of the most widely performed youth operas in the world. The production is particularly poignant this year because it marks the 80th anniversary of its secret premiere at a Jewish orphanage in Prague, which happened after the composer was deported to the Terezín concentration camp.
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