AUDIENCE AND SINGERS’ COMMENTS

SOME FEEDBACK FOR NDO’ PRODUCTIONS….

The Magic Flute (2005)

• Orchestra and singers were both superb
• Excellent value for money
• Magical use of the natural settings
• Excellent and well sung performance
• Exceeded expectations and reminded us of Holland Park Opera

The Barber of Seville (2006)

•Delightful production….inspired musical direction…. excellent orchestra…..superb Rosina, with stunning top notes…the future will be bright (for NDO): Music Critic, Western Morning News and Plymouth Evening Herald – Monday 17th July

• I really enjoyed the opera and found myself completely absorbed by the quality, commitment and passion shown in the performance

• Wonderful evening, absolutely marvellous

• The whole performance was very very good”

José Cura Opera Project 2007

• My feet have not touched the ground since I returned from Devon but I wanted to write and tell you that we had a wonderful two days. We would not have missed it for anything. (Two members of the audience from Wales who drove down and back each day for the Masterclass and Concert)

• Witnessing the expertise, hard work, warmth and total commitment of José Cura, one of the greatest singers in the world, giving so much of himself and working so tirelessly with these young singers. It was pure joy. A never-to-be forgotten experience. Thank you!

Tosca (2007)

• Another company making a success in far-off places is NEW DEVON OPERA ..who have formed an ensemble with undoubted potential. ..under Martyn Harrison’s direction the company performed with passion, directness and urgency…shiveringly directed, ‘Tosca’ drew real Puccinian stature from an exciting Cavaradossi of proven vocal intensity (Geraint Dodd) (OPERA NOW)

• An absolute success, fantastic opera in a wonderful setting; we were all captivated. What a fantastic achievement to bring such great opera to Devon – many congratulations

• All this morning we have had phone calls and people dropping in to say what a wonderful night they had and will you be back again..

• Whole thing a real joy; this is the first operatic performance we’ve seen. What a great introduction

• Not only was the opera outstanding, but the venue was magnificent…. my wife and I are completely ‘hooked’; I hope New Devon Opera goes from strength to strength.

Rigoletto (2008)

LETTER TO WESTERN MORNING NEWS
Wednesday 11 August 2008

Small scale, large talent.

I ENJOY opera, which I normally see at least annually at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, where we recently saw the award-winning production by the Welsh National Opera of Eugene Onegin.

I last saw a "small scale" opera production at the Northcott Theatre, Exeter, about 20 years ago - and it was so appalling that I vowed never to see "small scale" opera again!

Time moves on, and as part of the Budleigh Salterton Festival we went to St Peter's Church there and saw another "small scale" opera - Rigoletto, by the New Devon Opera Company.

As soon as the orchestra began the first bass of the overture it was immediately apparent that a tremendous evening lay ahead. The orchestra was only 18 strong, but the sound seemed like two or three times that size. With Dr Paul Foster conducting, these were no well-meaning amateurs but true professionals.

Then the soloists began with James Heath (tenor) as Il Duce, with a voice like velvet - I was mesmerised all evening by his singing. Rigoletto was James Hancock- a marvellous clear baritone - and Gilda was Debra Morley (soprano) who gave a performance up with the greats I have heard in that role - Maria Callas and June Anderson, the two "benchmarks" I have for Gilda. I could go on with all the other 10 soloists, as well as the chorus of 11.

This is only the fourth season for New Devon Opera, who have toured Devon with this production, which ended on July 31 at Cornwood.

Well done, New Devon Opera - you may be a "small scale" opera company, but one worthy of international standing. I would commend anyone who appreciates superb opera to see them when they next appear in Devon. We are now going to become Friends of New Devon Opera.

GM
Exmouth

José Cura Opera Project 2008

• What a privilege to see how he (José Cura) encouraged and helped his students develop and gain confidence – all from the heart. For me he opened curtains and revealed how to really look at an opera – which I certainly shall reflect on for life

• The José Cura last night was just wonderful, so much talent and so much emotion in that fantastic venue

• Many many thanks for the quite superb evening

• It is very rare that a young singer gets the chance to work with one of opera’s leading artists in a masterclass, leave alone working with him again the following year. Both happened to us in New Devon Opera’s José Cura Opera Project in 2007 and 2008, and I’m very thankful for this thrilling once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

After mainly working on the elements of singing, music and interpretation of an aria in 2007, Maestro Cura went on to working on selected scenes from the Italian and French repertoire in 2008. Not only is José Cura a marvellous singer, passionate actor, master conductor and a thoughtful stage director – he has proven once more to be a wonderful teacher of his art, covering all the different aspects of the craft of an opera singer. It was amazingly inspiring to learn how Maestro links music to words to storyline to voice to acting in every phrase, how he constantly looks behind the dusty curtains of cliche and so-called “tradition” and seeks for the truth of the musical and theatrical moment as it was intended by the author and composer.

It is not very easy put in words how much immensely I personally benefit from returning to the JCOP in 2008. This opportunity has changed my approach to the craft, and Cura’s influence will have a major effect on my operatic career, for sure."

Christian Schleicher – tenor – participant singer: www.christianschleicher.de