Clayesmore

Clayesmore Society Events The Clayesmore Season 2009-2010 The Marriage of Figaro - Gala Performance Friday 18 September 2009 - The Marriage of Figaro - Gala Performance

Friday 18 September 2009 - The Marriage of Figaro - Gala Performance

• 

A gala performance of Mozart’s masterpiece, The Marriage of Figaro, took place after a three night run at Clayesmore in Se[tember in front of a VIP audience. Months in the planning and a very concentrated rehearsal programme that called for the performers to give up the last week of their summer holiday, resulted in a triumph that brought the audience to its feet. The standing ovation was for an outstanding cast representing the cream of Clayesmore singing talent, for the professional instrumentalists and sixth former, Emma Hetherington, in the orchestral group, and for singing teacher, Lesley Thompson, who had brought the whole production to fruition.

Students had received tuition from Mrs Thompson during the summer holidays and then worked flat out in the first week of term in final rehearsals. In addition to six student solists, the cast was joined by Alexander Peck , currently at the University of Glasgow, who returned to take the lead as Figaro opposite current Sixth Former, Charlotte Euridge’s exquisite Susanna. The Meanwhile, two further recent Clayesmore students joined the cast including Alexander’s sister, Jonquil, who played Barbarina and Tash Fenston who took the part of Marcelina, both of them with a great sense of assurance and style. Head Girl, Laura Fairlie was a beautifully lyrical Countess Rosina whilst Robbie Bowering sang the Count with great presence and profundity. Cherubino was played with great verve and a sense of the comic by Bryony Purdue, whilst her mother, Deborah, who was stage manager and general factotum, joined Mrs Felicty Pattenden as two fine Ladies in Waiting. Lydia Smith, another frequent and experienced Clayesmore performer, was a convincing Signora Basilio. Another family duo involved the Family Bragg. Dr Shirley Bragg was involved in the project from its inception and functioned as rehearsal pianist and played the piano with deft polish – a difficult feat given that her fellow musicians were the other side of the stage – whilst younger son, Ed, only still in year 11, took the parts of Dr Bartolo and Antonio the gardener.

Speaking on the final night, Headmaster, Martin Cooke, told of his immense pride in his students and former students. He said that Alexander had bestowed a wonderful maturity and a special dimension upon the whole production and he thanked Jonquil and Tash for giving up their time to participate. Paying tribute to all involved, the Headmaster said it had been “a night of pure excellence and pure joy” that he hoped the cast would remember for the rest of their lives. “You have enchanted every member of the audience,” he told them.