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To make use of an RSS feed, you need some "feed reader" (or "aggregator") software. Most modern web browsers have feed readers built in.
The RSS feeds for Somerset Opera are listed below...
Somerset Opera upcoming events:
https://www.somersetopera.org.uk/dbaction.php?action=rss&dbase=events
Somerset Opera news:
https://www.somersetopera.org.uk/dbaction.php?action=rss&dbase=uploads
Our Newsletter
Somerset Opera creates a newsletter periodically to keep our friends, supporters and followers up-to-date with the activities and events of the opera. It is delivered via our friends email mailing list.
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Below is a list of all past issues...
Oct 2021 Newsletter
Tue, 19 Oct 2021Printable version
Chairman: Steve Meredith
Email: spmeredith@btinternet.com
Tel: 07975 854595
15Th October 2021
Good afternoon everyone
Isn’t it great to be back singing!
We’ve been rehearsing Trial by Jury now for about one month at our new rehearsal home of Taunton Vivary Park Golf Club where the whole feel of the environment is very different with a very friendly ambience. That’s not to say that we’re not working hard of course under our directoral team of Hilary, David and Chris. Act 2 of our programme will feature many well known arias and choruses – no spoilers but if you enjoy “The chorus of the Hebrew slaves” from Nabucco or the “Waltz scene” from Eugene Onegin then you may be in for a treat!
We will be staging our production on Friday November 5th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th at the United Reformed Church in Paul Street, Taunton. Tickets are available from our website or by using this link https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/somersetoperagroup
We are now in the planning stage for our Spring 2022 production of Iolanthe. I’m delighted to be able to tell you that most of the principals from the curtailed 2020 show have agreed to resume their roles and I have written to all of the chorus members with the hope that they will be able to continue. However, we would love to see additional people too so please let me know if you would like to join the production. We will be staging performances across Somerset in the period of March 11th to March 27th.
We received a good number of responses to the survey that we sent out – I’m in the process of summarising these at the moment and we will discuss the results at a future committee meeting. I will come back to you with the main points and the actions that we propose to take in a future newsletter.
I’m hoping that we are just about there with our communications from our website and database thanks to the hard work of Lance and Darren - we will continue to develop these systems and make them as smooth to run as we possibly can.
Finally, thank you for remaining to be a member and/or supporter of Somerset Opera - we are aware of at least one group in the area who have not survived post pandemic. I do value any feedback that you may have and would be delighted to see you at, hopefully this, and future productions. Please pass the word around to anyone who you believe may be interested in coming to see or join us.
Thank you
Steve
August 2021
Sun, 8 Aug 2021Printable version
Good afternoon everyone
In my last newsletter I mentioned that we are changing our venue for rehearsals to Vivary Park Golf Club. Our first official sing through there will be on Tuesday September 7th but we are going to hold a small social gathering there on Thursday 2nd September from 7.30pm so that anyone can have a look at our new rehearsal home. This will be a great opportunity to meet up with some people that you may not have seen for some time and take advantage of the bar being open. Chris will be there and may well use the occasion to play a few songs from “Trial” just to get you back in the swing of things. The full address is Taunton Vivary Golf Club, Fons George, Vivary Park, Taunton. TA1 3 JT.
Hilary will be directing “Trial” for us – she is currently directing “Chime Child” which is a bespoke production commissioned by SingingWorx (Taunton Music Trust) and Taunton Festival of the Arts, together with Sound Foundation Somerset. It has been written by Lisa Tustian with music by Chris Grabham and is being performed at Taunton Academy on 11th September. Guy Robinson has been in contact to tell me that he has started on a challenge to raise money to support the production. Guy’s challenge is to row the length of the River Severn (the longest river in the UK) by 11 September. This entails rowing on average about 8km (5m) every day for six weeks, totalling 354km. If you are curious to know more then visit Guy's Justgiving webpage (bit.ly/chimech) or email him at guyckrobinson@gmail.com.
We have been having some difficulties with emailing out to you all lately – please accept my deep apologies for this. However, thanks to some extremely hard work by Lance, our treasurer, we are on the way to getting these sorted. Thanks Lance. Note from Lance: We are trying to use the database built by Tim using the Making Music platform , but it has its issues. If you are reading this newsletter then it has worked so far! Members can login using their normal e mail and check their data – please do so- as we can use it for productions. I will also be sorting out the supporters database so that we can encourage more involvement. If any of your data are wrong- pls e mail directly lance@lancemoir.com and I will try to fix it. Further Darren and I are tidying up the website – so if you spot anything that needs correcting AFTER Sept 15th, again please let either Darren or me know.
I hope to see as many of you as possible on 2nd
Thank you
Steve
In my last newsletter I mentioned that we are changing our venue for rehearsals to Vivary Park Golf Club. Our first official sing through there will be on Tuesday September 7th but we are going to hold a small social gathering there on Thursday 2nd September from 7.30pm so that anyone can have a look at our new rehearsal home. This will be a great opportunity to meet up with some people that you may not have seen for some time and take advantage of the bar being open. Chris will be there and may well use the occasion to play a few songs from “Trial” just to get you back in the swing of things. The full address is Taunton Vivary Golf Club, Fons George, Vivary Park, Taunton. TA1 3 JT.
Hilary will be directing “Trial” for us – she is currently directing “Chime Child” which is a bespoke production commissioned by SingingWorx (Taunton Music Trust) and Taunton Festival of the Arts, together with Sound Foundation Somerset. It has been written by Lisa Tustian with music by Chris Grabham and is being performed at Taunton Academy on 11th September. Guy Robinson has been in contact to tell me that he has started on a challenge to raise money to support the production. Guy’s challenge is to row the length of the River Severn (the longest river in the UK) by 11 September. This entails rowing on average about 8km (5m) every day for six weeks, totalling 354km. If you are curious to know more then visit Guy's Justgiving webpage (bit.ly/chimech) or email him at guyckrobinson@gmail.com.
We have been having some difficulties with emailing out to you all lately – please accept my deep apologies for this. However, thanks to some extremely hard work by Lance, our treasurer, we are on the way to getting these sorted. Thanks Lance. Note from Lance: We are trying to use the database built by Tim using the Making Music platform , but it has its issues. If you are reading this newsletter then it has worked so far! Members can login using their normal e mail and check their data – please do so- as we can use it for productions. I will also be sorting out the supporters database so that we can encourage more involvement. If any of your data are wrong- pls e mail directly lance@lancemoir.com and I will try to fix it. Further Darren and I are tidying up the website – so if you spot anything that needs correcting AFTER Sept 15th, again please let either Darren or me know.
I hope to see as many of you as possible on 2nd
Thank you
Steve
May 2021 Newsletter
Wed, 7 Jul 2021Printable version
Registered address:
The Old Farmhouse
Tainfield Park
Taunton
TA2 8AE
Chairman: Steve Meredith
Email: spmeredith@btinternet.com
Tel: 07975 854595
31st May 2021
Good afternoon to everyone and I hope you are keeping well.
Well things are moving towards us being able to perform again! We hope to start rehearsals for Trial by Jury and Opera highlights on September 2nd with performances at Taunton United Reformed Church from November 5th to 7th. Hilary Marshall, David Hedges and Chris Ball are working on a more detailed schedule at the moment which will include audition dates etc. The only reason I say hope is that the government guidelines that came out on May 17th currently don’t allow for more than 6 people to sing indoors in England although more are permitted in other parts of the UK. We await the revised guidance when national restrictions are lifted and in the meantime are working with Making Music and other bodies to ensure that our voices are heard in this matter.
I also mentioned last time that we were actively looking for an alternative rehearsal venue. I’m now able to tell you that we will be using Vivary Park Golf Club for our rehearsals in the future. John Fisher is an active member there and he has arranged its use for us. We will have the club to ourselves in the evening and be able to store any kit and our keyboard there. The club manager has also agreed to open the bar for us so that anyone can have a hot or cold drink throughout the evening. This will allow us to enjoy some social time together which has not been possible to date. Ample free parking is available in Fons George car park and there is a well-lit path from the car park to club (about 2 minutes’ walk). I hope that you will enjoy our new facility.
We had our AGM in January at which we elected a new treasurer to take over from Lindsay Thorne. I’m pleased to say that Lance Moir has agreed to take on the role and is in the process of having a handover from Lindsay (ongoing due to lockdown reasons). I am hugely grateful for all of the work that Lindsay has done here and am pleased that she has agreed to stay on the committee for at least another year. Thank you to Lindsay and welcome to Lance. I’m also delighted to be able to tell you that Sam Baker has agreed to be seconded to the committee so welcome to Sam too.
On a much sadder front we have lost two long standing members of Somerset Opera over the last few months in Sybil Hiscocks and Bunny Roberts. Both ladies were longstanding members and supporters of our group and our thoughts go out to their family and friends. On a similar note, Guy Robinson has informed us that there will be a memorial service for his father, Christopher, on Sunday 5th September at 2.30pm at The Church of St Andrew and St Mary at Pitminster. If you would like to attend then please telephone Guy on 07776 228706 or email him at guyckrobinson@gmail.com
Congratulations to Vicky Armillotta who has graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music and will be starting at the Royal Academy of Music in September. She is now actively working to raise funds to see her through the course. If anybody would like to donate then Vicky has set up an online fundraiser site at https://gofund.me/4169c22f
Finally,I would like to let you know that Stephen Grimshaw and Sue Goodman are compiling a database of Somerset Opera’s previous performances from the archives which includes cast listings etc. This looks to be a fascinating document and we will publish it on the website when possible. Thank you to Stephen and Sue for doing this for us.
Thank you
Steve
July 2021 Newsletter
Mon, 5 Jul 2021Printable version
Greetings to everyone and I hope you are keeping well.
Well, things are moving towards us being able to perform again! We hope to start rehearsals for Trial by Jury and Opera highlights on September 7th with performances at Taunton United Reformed Church from November 5th to 7th. Hilary Marshall, David Hedges and Chris Ball have produced a detailed schedule which will be sent as a separate document. The only reason I say ‘hope’ is that the government guidelines that came out on May 17th currently don’t allow for more than 6 people to sing indoors in England although more are permitted in other parts of the UK. We await the revised guidance when national restrictions are lifted and in the meantime are working with Making Music and other bodies to ensure that our voices are heard in this matter.
I also mentioned last time that we were actively looking for an alternative rehearsal venue. I’m now able to tell you that we will be using Vivary Park Golf Club for our rehearsals in the future. John Fisher is an active member there and he has arranged its use for us. We will have the club to ourselves in the evening and be able to store any kit and our keyboard there. The club manager has also agreed to open the bar for us so that anyone can have a hot or cold drink throughout the evening. This will allow us to enjoy some social time together which has not been possible to date. Ample free parking is available in Fons George car park and there is a well-lit path from the car park to club (about 2 minutes’ walk). I hope that you will enjoy our new facility.
We had our AGM in January at which we elected a new treasurer to take over from Lindsay Thorne. I’m pleased to say that Lance Moir has agreed to take on the role and is in the process of having a handover from Lindsay (ongoing due to lockdown reasons). I am very grateful for all of the work that Lindsay has done here and am pleased that she has agreed to stay on the committee for at least another year. Thank you to Lindsay and welcome to Lance. I’m also delighted to be able to tell you that Sam Baker has agreed to be seconded to the committee so welcome to Sam too.
On a much sadder front we have lost two long standing members of Somerset Opera over the last few months in Sybil Hiscocks and Bunny Roberts. Both ladies were longstanding members and supporters of our group and our thoughts go out to their family and friends. On a similar note, Guy Robinson has informed us that there will be a memorial service for his father, Christopher, on Sunday 5th September at 2.30pm at The Church of St Andrew and St Mary at Pitminster. If you would like to attend then please telephone Guy on 07776 228706 or email him at guyckrobinson@gmail.com
Congratulations to Vicky Armillotta who has graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music and will be starting at the Royal Academy of Music in September. She is now actively working to raise funds to see her through the course. If anybody would like to donate then Vicky has set up an online fundraiser site at https://gofund.me/4169c22f
Finally, I would like to let you know that Stephen Grimshaw and Sue Goodman are compiling a database of Somerset Opera’s previous performances from the archives which includes cast listings etc. This looks to be a fascinating document and we will publish it on the website when possible. Thank you to Stephen and Sue for doing this for us.
Thank you
Steve
Trial by Jury and Opera Highlights – November 5th, 6th and 7th 2021
Welcome back everyone! The next concert by Somerset Opera will take place at the United Reform Church, Taunton on November 5th ,6th and 7th, 2021 and we are looking forward to presenting ‘Trial by Jury’ by Gilbert and Sullivan and opera highlights with a diverse and interesting cast. David Hedges is the Musical Director and the Director is Hilary Marshall. ‘Trial’ will be fully costumed and presented in the 1st half of the evening to be followed by well known and loved arias and excerpts from operas. The cast of ‘Trial’ will be on stage for the whole of the opera –great fun and full of laughter. We also hope to sing two opera choruses in the 2nd half of the evening.
The evening should be full of fun and lovely music. We are looking for singers who are interested in being in the chorus and also auditioning for parts. Also if there is anyone interested in singing extracts from operas, please again register an interest.
Those who are interested in taking part and/or auditioning, please contact Hilary Marshall on hm.marshall@btinternet.com or tel: 01823333559, or Chris Ball on chris@cjball.plus.com or tel: 01823327855
Obviously at the moment we are still unaware of the regulations relating to the coronavirus outbreak but there is no harm in planning for our future comeback. We all need to meet and sing again. We sincerely hope that by the dates shown on the schedule we are able to go ahead and obviously we will update the information as and when necessary.
The parts in ‘Trial’ and audition pieces are as follows.
Trial by Jury – auditions pieces
Trial by Jury and gala concert – 5th, 6th and 7th November 2021
United Reform Church, Taunton
All rehearsals unless notified will start at 7:30 p.m. and will be at Vivary Golf Club, Taunton
Trial by Jury and Gala Concert.
I wish to be in ‘Trial by Jury’
I wish to sing in the gala concert
I wish to audition for a part(s) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Signed………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Well, things are moving towards us being able to perform again! We hope to start rehearsals for Trial by Jury and Opera highlights on September 7th with performances at Taunton United Reformed Church from November 5th to 7th. Hilary Marshall, David Hedges and Chris Ball have produced a detailed schedule which will be sent as a separate document. The only reason I say ‘hope’ is that the government guidelines that came out on May 17th currently don’t allow for more than 6 people to sing indoors in England although more are permitted in other parts of the UK. We await the revised guidance when national restrictions are lifted and in the meantime are working with Making Music and other bodies to ensure that our voices are heard in this matter.
I also mentioned last time that we were actively looking for an alternative rehearsal venue. I’m now able to tell you that we will be using Vivary Park Golf Club for our rehearsals in the future. John Fisher is an active member there and he has arranged its use for us. We will have the club to ourselves in the evening and be able to store any kit and our keyboard there. The club manager has also agreed to open the bar for us so that anyone can have a hot or cold drink throughout the evening. This will allow us to enjoy some social time together which has not been possible to date. Ample free parking is available in Fons George car park and there is a well-lit path from the car park to club (about 2 minutes’ walk). I hope that you will enjoy our new facility.
We had our AGM in January at which we elected a new treasurer to take over from Lindsay Thorne. I’m pleased to say that Lance Moir has agreed to take on the role and is in the process of having a handover from Lindsay (ongoing due to lockdown reasons). I am very grateful for all of the work that Lindsay has done here and am pleased that she has agreed to stay on the committee for at least another year. Thank you to Lindsay and welcome to Lance. I’m also delighted to be able to tell you that Sam Baker has agreed to be seconded to the committee so welcome to Sam too.
On a much sadder front we have lost two long standing members of Somerset Opera over the last few months in Sybil Hiscocks and Bunny Roberts. Both ladies were longstanding members and supporters of our group and our thoughts go out to their family and friends. On a similar note, Guy Robinson has informed us that there will be a memorial service for his father, Christopher, on Sunday 5th September at 2.30pm at The Church of St Andrew and St Mary at Pitminster. If you would like to attend then please telephone Guy on 07776 228706 or email him at guyckrobinson@gmail.com
Congratulations to Vicky Armillotta who has graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music and will be starting at the Royal Academy of Music in September. She is now actively working to raise funds to see her through the course. If anybody would like to donate then Vicky has set up an online fundraiser site at https://gofund.me/4169c22f
Finally, I would like to let you know that Stephen Grimshaw and Sue Goodman are compiling a database of Somerset Opera’s previous performances from the archives which includes cast listings etc. This looks to be a fascinating document and we will publish it on the website when possible. Thank you to Stephen and Sue for doing this for us.
Thank you
Steve
Trial by Jury and Opera Highlights – November 5th, 6th and 7th 2021
Welcome back everyone! The next concert by Somerset Opera will take place at the United Reform Church, Taunton on November 5th ,6th and 7th, 2021 and we are looking forward to presenting ‘Trial by Jury’ by Gilbert and Sullivan and opera highlights with a diverse and interesting cast. David Hedges is the Musical Director and the Director is Hilary Marshall. ‘Trial’ will be fully costumed and presented in the 1st half of the evening to be followed by well known and loved arias and excerpts from operas. The cast of ‘Trial’ will be on stage for the whole of the opera –great fun and full of laughter. We also hope to sing two opera choruses in the 2nd half of the evening.
The evening should be full of fun and lovely music. We are looking for singers who are interested in being in the chorus and also auditioning for parts. Also if there is anyone interested in singing extracts from operas, please again register an interest.
Those who are interested in taking part and/or auditioning, please contact Hilary Marshall on hm.marshall@btinternet.com or tel: 01823333559, or Chris Ball on chris@cjball.plus.com or tel: 01823327855
Obviously at the moment we are still unaware of the regulations relating to the coronavirus outbreak but there is no harm in planning for our future comeback. We all need to meet and sing again. We sincerely hope that by the dates shown on the schedule we are able to go ahead and obviously we will update the information as and when necessary.
The parts in ‘Trial’ and audition pieces are as follows.
Trial by Jury – auditions pieces
- The Learned Judge (comic baritone) - No. 4 v1,2,and 5
- The Plaintiff (soprano) - No. 6 Start p30 - ‘O’er the season vernal’ with 8 bar intro
- The Defendant (tenor) - No.10 (both verses)
- Counsel for the Plaintiff (lyric baritone) – No. 8 to ‘For the maid had bought her trousseau’
- Usher (bass-baritone) - No 1 page 6 – End
- Foreman of the Jury (baritone) – very small part p 32 and p39
- First Bridesmaid – same as plaintiff – no solos as such but lots of acting
Trial by Jury and gala concert – 5th, 6th and 7th November 2021
United Reform Church, Taunton
| August 29th | Auditions – 2 Kilkenny Avenue, Taunton |
| September | |
| 7th | 7:00 - New members auditions 7:30 – Music Sing through |
| 9th | Music |
| 14th | Music |
| 16th | Music |
| 21st | Music |
| 23rd | Music |
| 28th | Music |
| 30th | Music |
| October | |
| 5th | Floor |
| 7th | Floor |
| 12th | Floor |
| 14th19th | Floor |
| 21st | Floor |
| 26th | Floor |
| 28th | Floor |
| November | |
| 2nd | If necessary |
| 4th | Dress rehearsal |
| November 5th | 2:30 get in and technical 7:30 Performance |
| November 6th | Performance |
| November 7th | performance |
All rehearsals unless notified will start at 7:30 p.m. and will be at Vivary Golf Club, Taunton
Trial by Jury and Gala Concert.
|
|
I wish to be in ‘Trial by Jury’
|
|
I wish to sing in the gala concert
I wish to audition for a part(s) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Signed………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Newsletters
Sat, 18 Apr 2020Printable version
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