Download Promoters information pack - New Opera in Scotland Events

Made in Scotland Music Showcase,
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013
MADEINSCOTLANDSHOWCASE.COM
Presents
Promoters information pack
NOISEOPERA.COM
INTRODUCTION
The Sloans Project is opera, but not as you know it. Created through
interviews and conversations with the staff and regulars of Glasgow’s
oldest bar and restaurant, The Sloans Project weaves together the
hidden stories, gossip and myths of a local pub. Audience are
ushered through a site-specific space, discovering new stories and
songs as they are led into the hidden nooks and crannies of a bar.
The piece was commissioned by new opera company NOISE when
they were approached by composer Gareth Williams (Scottish
Opera Composer in Residence), who wanted to write an opera to
celebrate the vitality of a typical Glasgow pub. The plan was formed
to create a promenade opera in a non-theatre space which
integrated a wide range of both popular and classical music genres. In
conjunction with the Performing Rights Society Foundation NOISE
commissioned him and his Canadian librettist David Brock. Sloans
Bar in Glasgow, the city’s oldest bar and restaurant was chosen as the
setting. The libretto was then formed through interviews with staff
past and present, interviews with customers and research into the
history of the building and of Glasgow in the 18th and 19th
centuries.
The Sloans Project premiered in Sloans bar at the Merchant City
Festival in 2011 where it met with a warm reception from critics and
audience. The company was then invited to restage the production
in the Illicit Still pub, Aberdeen as part of the new music SOUND
Festival. The invitation to form part of the first Made in Scotland
Music Showcase at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival constitutes
the third outing of this engaging and accessible opera promenade.
‘…a tremendous operatic adventure
that mixes the promenade fun of a
site-specific event with morsels of local
history and vignettes of Glasgow life: all
set to a thoughtfully unstuffy,
thoroughly engaging score. It’s opera,
for sure, but not as we usually know it.’
the whole project is a well-sung,
well-played pleasure that puts opera
“in yer face” with impressive flair and
professionalism.
‘a blisteringly talented bunch of
musicians, singers and actors’
‘First rate singers, an excellent
instrumental ensemble and a
performance that really hit home base,
this was an experience not to be
missed.’
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION & CONTENT
The Sloans Project is by its nature adaptable as it is ‘recreated’ to fit into each new space
it is brought to. It works best and is most magical when it is fully promenade and
site-specific, preferably staged in an old or historical pub, bar or restaurant. However the
piece has been performed in a traditional theatre space and it is also adaptable to these
kinds of spaces. It comprises of five interwoven vignettes telling the story of newly
engaged couple, the ghost of an old manageress of Sloans, the wake of a young man, a
known murderer reminiscing in the pub and a wedding scene where we meet again the
young couple from the beginning of the performance. There is an actor-narrator who
punctuates some of the scenes with further anecdotes and acts as a guide for the
audience in the spaces.
The show is by turns, amusing then moving, celebratory then heart-breaking: accompanied
throughout by the idea of drinking, how it soothes, celebrates, comforts, and accompanies
some of life’s saddest and happiest moments. The opera starts and ends with the sound
of music created by carefully tuned wine glasses.
There are no big props, set or technical requirements as the production uses those that
building naturally provides. The main requirement from the space is that it can
comfortably contain the company including instrumentation.
A piano is required to be provided by the venue.
The company bring in and require adequate transportation, storage and space for the
following instruments: accordion, violin, harp, toy piano, cello.
(Please note the venue could also be required to supply the harp depending upon travel
arrangements.)
There are sixteen in the touring party - 4 singers, 6 musicians, actor, director, producer,
conductor, stage manager, wardrobe supervisor. However depending upon requirements
there is potential to use local personnel and resources to reduce these numbers.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Now in its third year, NOISE’s vision is to bring opera to the people and places it might
not be conventionally accessible or supported. This involves producing new commissions
in innovative performance settings to inspire existing opera audiences and attract new
ones. NOISE’s aim is to break down the perceived barriers that prevent opera being
enjoyed by all. The company was formed by James Robert Carson (director) and Arlene
Rolph (mezzo-soprano).
James Robert Carson’s theatre credits include: Measure for Measure, Ghosts, Family Affair,
Fitting For Ladies (Royal Lyceum Edinburgh), The White Bird Passes (Dundee Rep), Two
Modern Noh Plays (Gate Nottinghill), Dorst’s Merlin (Arts Threshold), Ruth Ellis (Glasgow
Citizens). His opera credits include: Tosca (Holland Park), Xerses (Greek National Opera),
Nozze Di Figaro, Two Widows, La Tragedie de Carmen, Doctor Miracle (DNOA
Amsterdam), Cosi Fan Tutte (Scottish Opera Go Round), A Midsummer Night’s Dream
(Aldeburgh Festival), Rape of Lucretia (Snape Maltings).
Arlene Rolph’s singing credits include work at the Glyndebourne Festival, Frankfurt Oper,
Theater and der Wien, Staatsoper Berlin, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera. Grange
Park Opera, English Touring Opera, Music Theatre Wales and the Batignano Festival, Italy.
Her major roles include Rosina/Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Varvara/Katya Kabanova, Der
Kompomist and Dryade/Ariadne auf Naxos, Hansel/Hansel and Gretel,Siebel/Faust,
Cherubino/Le Nozze di Figaro, Idamante/Idomeneo, Bianca/The Rape of Lucretia,
Annio/La Clemenza di Tito and Speranza and Messaggiera in L’Orfeo.
Together, they identified a gap in the provision for new opera in Scotland and wanted to
build a model to fill that gap that reflected Scotland and Scottish operatic talent – opera
conceived from the stories and spaces surrounding them.
ABOUT THE COMPANY (continued)
The company has two other projects currently in development.
THE BRITANNIA PROJECT
Working once again with composer Gareth Williams to produce an opera about the
Britannia which is the world's oldest Music Hall and is situated in Argyle Street in Glasgow.
Like the Sloans Project it is a researched, site specific opera that is designed to be
performed in the original venue but is also capable of touring.
THE LONELY HEARTS OPERA
A new commission about the search for love through small ads and internet dating. This is
being composed by Jason Staddon and is for three instruments and two singers.
A relatively young company NOISE exists in its collaborations, relationships and skills
sharing. NOISE works with freshly discovered, new talent and seasoned experienced
artists, placing this mixed and energetic team in the midst of real communities to make
their work. The result is the best of the old and the new, giving soaring voice to the stories
of Scotland’s people and communities.
NOISE seeks partners to develop and produce work with, as well as invitations or
partnerships that allow them to bring existing work to new audiences.
ACCOMPANYING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY
Robert James Carson has taught at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Academy and
Royal Colleges of Music, DNOA Amsterdam, The British Council Athens, Central School
of Speech and Drama, Weber Douglas, Drama Centre. Gareth Williams was previously a
tutor in composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Workshops are available to accompany the Sloans Project or any other NOISE work or
projects.
DIRECTING FOR OPERA
Introduction to:
ACTING FOR OPERA
COMPOSING
CREATING AN OPERA
CELLO MAKING AN OPERA
HARP THE OPERA VOICE
VIOLIN
HOW TO WRITE A LIBRETTO
ACCORDION
OPERA AND POLITICS
OPERA’S PLACE IN THE MODERN WORLD
PRODUCING AN OPERA
OPERA IN SCOTLAND
CONTACT AND INFO
NOISE Contact:
JAMES ROBERT CARSON
Ar tistic Director
t - 07974 007 440
e - [email protected]
STAGE AREA DIMENSIONS
The Sloans Project was originally site-specific and
is now completely adaptable. The piece will work
best in a pub, bar or restaurant (preferably older
as opposed to modern) but can be adapted to
most spaces – please enquire for specific details.
The main requirement is that the space will
comfortably contain the company including
instrumentation (see additional touring
information).
LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
None, can use any lighting including natural.
SOUND REQUIREMENTS
A piano is required from the venue. We can bring
all other instrumentation.
NUMBER IN TOURING PARTY
SINGER
4
MUSICIANS
6
ACTOR
1
DIRECTOR
1
PRODUCER
1
CONDUCTOR
1
STAGE MANAGER
1
WARDROBE SUPERVISOR
1
16
TOURING AVAILABILITY
Upon request.
ADDITIONAL TOURING INFORMATION
We bring and require adequate transportation,
storage and space for the following instruments:
ACCORDION
TOY PIANO
VIOLIN
CELLO
HARP
Please note the venue could be required to supply the harp.