Rehearsals for Susannah began in September. Principal roles are filled, but as ever we're delighted to welcome new singers—we'd love to hear from you.
Our usual, and very fine, rehearsal space is the Majendie Hall of St Mary's church in Speen, to the north of Newbury centre and at the end of Church Lane (RG14 1SA). We're there most Wednesday evenings, but not all, so please check.
Music director for Susannah is David Wordsworth, who directed two of our 2025 summer concerts. David has worked as a teacher, pianist, publisher, writer on music and as a promoter of contemporary music and composers. He has conducted a wide range of choral groups in many parts of the world. More about David's achievements here
We're offering a rare chance to see Susannah by ‘the father of American opera’ Carlisle Floyd. Based on the biblical tale of Susanna and the Elders, it's reset in New Hope Valley in rural Tennessee, against the backdrop of a 1950s church revival meeting. It is the story of a young and innocent woman falsely accused of immorality by her village neighbours — god-fearing, revivalist, and also lascivious and vengeful.
Susannah is one of the most-performed American operas of all time. With a dramatic plot, reflecting the febrile atmosphere of anti-commmunist witch hunts, it's a dramatic two-acter packed with great music, and not to be missed.
We're returning to the Great Hall in Newbury's Shaw House. Book here.
This year's concerts showcased our own Opera Favourites. And what a range we found! From the 17th century (Purcell) to the 20th (Britten), with lots from Verdi, G&S and Mozart, and finishing with the memorable Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana. As music directors we had David Wordsworth (Shaw House and Stockcross) and Ben de Souza (Brimpton). Oliver Williams was once more our accompanist.
Venues:
Pictures L to R above:
Owain, Great Hall; Anthony and Natalia, Stockcross; Don, Great Hall;
Below: everyone, Brimpton
For the first time, our year's main production was by Gilbert & Sullivan. We staged Iolanthe in the Great Hall of Shaw House, Newbury, our third production there. We, and our sellout audience, thoroughly enjoyed it! More here.
