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Crossover, Spring Opera Showcase & HCMS
Clonter has been very busy over the last month. Hot on the tail of the Crossover Festival (Bluegrass and Old Time festival), Clonter went straight into the May Masterclasses, culminating in the Spring Opera Showcase.
It was all going on on Saturday 14th May. Eurovision, the Spring Opera Showcase, and wasn’t there some football match as well. Or was that Friday!
Thank you to all those that tore themselves away from the television to join our 5 singers, accompanist and two directors for Clonter’s first Spring Opera Showcase post (dare one say that) pandemic. It was a very special night, not just for that, but also to finally get Giles Havergal to direct this corner stone of Clonter’s annual programme, after many years of discussion, joined by his good friend and esteemed colleague Martin André.
Lovely feedback has already been received from both audience members and the participants, which we thought we would share with you.
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Masterclasses – Photos
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Spring Opera Showcase – Photos
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Audience Members so far…
‘Excellent…We brought two friends who also shared our opinion. The pianist…was so out of this world good, that words fail me. Our heartfelt thanks’ Tom
‘Saturday’s operatic showcase was another excellent evening at Clonter which we much enjoyed. The revised format, involving the performers more, was a welcomed change. As a group, they were well balanced and exhibited lots of talent; Giles (Havergal) and Martin (André) were great value and must have imparted their knowledge and enthusiasm skilfully to have produced such results.’ David
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Participants so far…
‘I am now back home, settled and unpacked – ready for another week at uni tomorrow. I wanted to email to say THANK YOU for the most fantastic week. I can’t put into words just how useful and inspiring this week has been. I’ve learnt so much and I simply cannot wait to put all that I’ve learnt into practice… I’m so so grateful to have been given the opportunity to experience it.’ Gabrielle
‘Thank you very much again for the opportunity to work with Giles Havergal and Martin André and perform at your beautiful leafy, green, and birdy, theatre paradise! I had such a great time, learned a lot and especially appreciated working on the Zerbinetta aria, as well as the Adele. Hope to be back one day if the occasion arises!’ Rachel
‘I just wanted to say a massive thank you for everything over the last week… I have honestly had one of the best weeks at Clonter, learning off other people and with Giles (Havergal), Martin (André) and Satoshi (Kubo). I only want to get better and develop, and I’ve certainly felt that with the opportunities this week. I absolutely love the…close group that you have at Clonter, and I really really hope, and would love, to come back again as much as possible for productions, concerts, whatever! It’s been absolutely amazing…’ Rhydian
‘Thank you so much for everything at Clonter last week. It was a privilege to be able to take part in this prestigious programme as the first student from RBC. Performing such an exciting programme under the expert direction of Giles, Martin, and Satoshi made this week incredible and I look forward to honing everything I learnt in my future work.’ Hannah
‘Thank you very much for these days’ Lluis
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Holmes Chapel Music Society
And then there was the final HCMS concert – A Celebration of 50 wonderful years of music making in the heart of Cheshire, performed by some of the best musicians in the country – Sir Mark Elder & Hallé Principals. As was announced at the concert, discussions are being had as to a possible future, in another form, but what Clonter can pledge is that there will be a concert on Sat 29 October – Watch this space.
