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Victorian Opera Northwest is a UK
group that has been formed to provide première CD recordings of forgotten 19th
century British and Irish operas such as those of Balfe,
Benedict, Macfarren, Goring Thomas and Wallace.
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Background
Victorian Opera Northwest was formed in 2004 with the express aim of providing recordings of forgotten operas of English composers. Projects often require the publication of a new full score, from which band parts are then generated. Many of our musicians and singers are based in South Manchester and are recruited from a wide field, with a strong input from former students of the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. The nucleus of the Victorian Opera chorus is drawn from members of local choirs, the Hallé chorus, Barnby Choir and Lindow Singers. Associated with Victorian Opera Northwest, is the Sullivan: CD & Scores site that makes available CDs and scores of works by Sir Arthur Sullivan.
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Victorian Opera Northwest's first recording was Balfe's The Maid of Artois issued in a 2CD set on the Campion Cameo British Composers Series, Cameo 2042/3 at the end of October, 2005. Details of and excerpts from the recording can be found here. Nowadays Michael William Balfe is chiefly remembered for his opera The Bohemian Girl but he actually wrote nearly 30 operas. Since Balfe’s bicentenary falls in 2008, The Maid of Artois (1836) was chosen for the first of these recordings. The score, we believe, is one of his finest since at the time he was still fresh with European colour, was youthfully inventive and inspired from the outstanding success of his previous opera, The Siege of Rochelle (1835) and was eager to impress Maria Malibran who was to appear in the new opera and whose very fine portrait is on the CD cover. |
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Plans
Stimulated by this success, we are now planning to record two further operas, William Vincent Wallace’s ‘Lurline’ (1860), more details here and George Macfarren’s ‘Robin Hood’ (1860), more details here as well as an Overtures CD of Balfe & Wallace. Consideration is also being given to a recording of Wallace’s ‘The Amber Witch’ (1861). Wallace is greatly admired by the highly acclaimed international conductor of opera, Richard Bonynge. He is researching Lurline from the Wallace's autograph and preparing the orchestral parts for this Victorian Opera project : he will be conducting the recording, scheduled for 2009.
Lurline, Act II - The coral caves under the waters of the Rhine
Are you interested in taking part in future recordings?
Victorian Opera Northwest has been very successful in attracting high calibre musicians and singers. As an open group, we welcome chorus singers with good sight-reading skills. A music and rehearsal CD will be first provided for home use. Six rehearsals will be then arranged at weekly intervals (Saturday mornings) leading up to the recording. The recording will take place in 2009 conducted by Richard Bonynge. A membership fee of £15 includes provision of a copy of the published CD set.
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If you would
like further information or are interested in taking part
or in possible sponsorship Raymond J. Walker, Chairman, Victorian Opera Northwest, 6 Lindow Fold, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 6DT, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1625 530030 Email: The Chairman at Victorian Opera Northwest
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© Victorian Opera Northwest, 2005 - 2008.
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