The arts are facing the most challenging time in a generation. If you love music, if you love Clonter, and if you are able to, please donate to protect Clonter’s future. Every little bit helps.
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Barber of Seville
The cast and crew have now all left, and we breathe no small sigh of relief that our faith was rewarded. We made it to the end without anyone getting ‘it’. It is possibly not necessary to spell out quite how risky an undertaking this was, but we did it.
Due to the courage of all involved, and the audience must be included in this acknowledgement, we were able to share this jewel like production with 807 people, providing the cast, crew and orchestra with a much missed live audience, and due to our bubbling (Rigorous initial PCR testing, and quarantining of singers coming from abroad, and Lateral Flow/Rapid Antigen Testing throughout their time here) PLUS strict social distancing of all visitors, this enabled the cast to perform, and the audience to be presented with, a currently rare UN-Socially Distanced performance, making this possibly one of the most special productions Clonter has ever delivered. Certainly the most nail biting but to receive the following, one of the most worthwhile:
‘A party of eight of us attended Saturday evening’s performance of The Barber of Seville and excellent it was. The cast was top class, with staging to match, and the orchestra did us proud, all of which was achieved in the most tricky of circumstances.
It was so good to be back in close touch with performers in a theatre once again, after the horrendous hiatus. We enjoyed ourselves enormously and thank you all for a such a joyous evening.’
Joyous indeed, to be able to do what we do, providing a platform for emerging talent, but this year more than any other, to make and share glorious music with a live audience. So along with some precious gold medals at the Olympics, (no gold medals in swimming for 100 years one is told) this seems like quite a historic moment in Clonter’s nigh on 50 year history as well.
Thank you to all those who trusted Clonter to keep them safe both sides of the curtain. And for those that still, understandably, felt nervous about coming out still, we very much hope you may feel able to join us for one of the following in the coming months.
For those of you who would have liked to have come to the Barber, it has been recorded and will be available on Vimeo, so watch this space. To wet your appetite do take a look at the photos, and read the review.
Click here for Photo Albums
Click here for Videos
Click here for Review
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Papageno’s Quest @ Just So Festival
20th/21st/22nd August
Clonter is very proud to announce that this year it will be taking part in the Just So Festival at Rode Hall, with its show, Papageno’sQuest, piloted at the Clonter Fair last September.
If you have never been, and you have small people in your life, check it out.
Clonter Fair
Sunday 5th September
The event in the Clonter calendar which attracts not just two legged friends, but ones with four and fur. We hope this year the dog show will be even bigger than usual.
Tea With…
Songs from the Shows – TBC
Wednesday 15th September
Under discussion is to reconvene the two singers who delighted so many of you virtually last June (2020), to come and entertain you in person, in the Ramsey Room once again.
More Info – To follow
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Holmes Chapel Music Society
Magnard Ensemble
Saturday 2nd October (Matinee)
Clonter is so delighted, after a long campaign, that the Holmes Chapel Music Society will be holding their 50th Season of Concerts at Clonter. To kick start this new collaboration will be the Magnard Ensemble.
World Mental Health Day – TBC
Saturday 9th October
This year of all year’s this day seems most important to mark. Watch this space.
More Info – To follow
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Holmes Chapel Music Society
Tippett String Quartet with Emma Abbate
Saturday 23rd October (Matinee)
The Tippett Quartet regularly appear at Kings Place, Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Bridgewater Hall and frequently perform on BBC Radio 3.
Opera Gala – TBC
Saturday 6th November
As we say goodbye to the cast and crew of the summer opera production, we start to turn our attention to the Opera Gala in November – One of the most popular events in the Clonter calendar.
More Info – To follow
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Holmes Chapel Music Society
Callum Smart & Richard Uttley
Saturday 20th November (Matinee)
Recognised as a rising star since winning the BBC Young Musician strings category and being the top European prize-winner at the Menuhin Competition in 2010, Callum Smart now enjoys concert appearances with the UK’s leading orchestras, including re-invitations to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Philharmonia Orchestra.
Richard read Music at Clare College, Cambridge, graduating with a double first in 2008, and then studied at Guildhall School with Martin Roscoe. Richard teaches at City University, Guildhall School and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
Gospel – TBC
Saturday 4th December
Yet another Clonter favourite.
For those who have not enjoyed the wonders of Ken Burton’s choir, and his piano playing, this may be just what you deserve.
More Info – To follow
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Holmes Chapel Music Society
Budapest Café Orchestra
Saturday 11th December (Matinee)
The Budapest Café Orchestra has won legions of fans through its infectious and captivating performances. A small, but impeccably formed, orchestra of just four players, the BCO combines violin, guitar, accordion, double bass, saz & balalaika creating an awesome aural alchemy normally only characteristic of far larger ensembles.
Tea With…
When We Sing Together – A Christmas Gathering
Wednesday 15th December
Chris Parkinson, Pete Morton and Emily Sanders are getting together again this December to celebrate Christmas with a big sing of choruses and carols! The Magical Christmas Tree has gone into retirement (somewhere in Chris Parkinson’s attic, we believe) but the musicians and singers will be back on the road to celebrate the festive season with songs that bring us all together. A joyous reunion in songs old and new!
More Info – To follow
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