Articles tagged with: Benjamin Britten

  • Dramatic Arts Professor directs Canadian premiere of a Benjamin Britten opera

    vb-glorianaThe 2013-2014 season of Toronto’s Voicebox/Opera in Concert showcases some ‘rarities of performance’ and features Gloriana by Benjamin Britten.

    The one-time concert performance at the Jane Mallet Theatre in Toronto is directed by Brock University Dramatic Arts Professor Virginia Reh.

    Gloriana was composed for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953 and VOICEBOX’s performance marks the 100Th Anniversary of the Composer’s birth.

    Queen Elizabeth I is approaching the end of her reign. Her affection for the impressive Earl of Essex is tested when he grows increasingly ambitious. Should she listen to the guidance of her advisors or be swayed by emotion? Moving from the pomp of state ceremony to the intimacy of the Queen’s private rooms, Gloriana depicts the public and private faces of the Virgin Queen, and the deterioration of her relationship with the impulsive Earl of Essex.

    The opera features 15 soloists. In this concert production 10 of the soloists will be coming out of the chorus. The production is in memory of Reh’s friend Stephen Ireland who passed away last October from complications arising from prostate cancer.  The production is sponsored by his foundation.

    Professor Reh will be directing the next Mainstage production of the Department of Dramatic Arts, Jehanne of the Witches, opening February 13, 2014.

    BENJAMIN BRITTEN
    GLORIANA

    Sunday, November 24, 2013 — 2:30pm
    IN english
    Jane Mallett Theatre (at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts) Sunday, November 24 @2:30 p.m.

    purchase tickets here

    Featuring
    Peter Tiefenbach, Music Director and Pianist
    Virginia Reh, Dramatic Advisor
    Robert Cooper, Chorus Director

    Betty Waynne Allison as Queen Elizabeth I
    Jennifer Sullivan as Penelope (Lady Rich)
    Adam Luther as Lord of Essex
    Dion Mazerrole as Cecil
    Jesse Clark as Lord Mountjoy
    Christina Campsall as Countess of Essex
    Marco Petracchi as Sir Walter Raleigh
    Domenico Sanfilippo as Henry Cuffe
    Fabian Arciniegas as The Recorder of Norwich
    Joshua Wales as The Spirit of the Masque
    Keenan Viau as The Master of Ceremonies
    Gregory Finney as Old Man
    Lise Maher as Page
    Jessika Monea as Lady in Waiting

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    Categories: Faculty & Instructors, News