November News
This November we were treated to a surprise visit from Joanna Harries, mezzo soprano, on the 4th as she stepped in for countertenor Eliran Kadussi when he was unable to perform due to illness. Joanna delivered a programme of song from Wolff, Clara Schumann, Mozart, Debussy and more, all exploring the subject of dreams, illusion and fantasy. Our audience, who joined us at the private home of an Opera Prelude supporter in Carlisle Place, Chelsea, were in awe of Joanna’s wonderful singing and interpretation of dreamlike song. Thank you to Joanna for stepping in at short notice, and to Thomas Ang for his wonderful piano playing.
Eliran Kadussi, countertenor, was able to join us again at the end of the month for recitals in both Henley and London. His lecture recital was on the theme Voice of Valour: A Melodic Journey Through Heroic Tales. He sang some truly challenging Handel da capo arias with great virtuosity, and took his audience on a great journey of heroism and bravery across a number of Handel operas. We absolutely loved hearing Eliran sing, again in collaboration with Thomas Ang, and we’re so glad that our audience found his performance engaging.
2024 Young Artist Annabel Kennedy appeared in Die Reise zu Planet 9 with Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf, singing the role of Ikuma. Described as an “intergalactic adventure for the entire family”, we would have loved to see Annabel take on this exciting, fantastical family opera based on Offenbach’s “Journey to the Moon”. She also performed back on home turf last month, as the soloist for Elgar’s Sea Pictures with Petersfield Orchestra.
Over in Switzerland, baritone Michael Temporal-Darrell, who recently gave two wonderful recitals for us on the theme of “operatic transitions” in London and Henley, made his debut at the Luzerner Theatre as Dr Blind in their production of Die Fledermaus. He is a member of the Opernstudio over there and we couldn’t be more proud! Congrats, Michael!
