Stuart Pendred of Oxford Opera Company can scarcely contain his excitement as he discusses the upcoming production of Puccini’s Tosca at Oxford Playhouse on March 28-29.
Because not only does it feature some huge names from the opera world, including Marlena Devoe, Sam Furness and Phillip Rhodes, but 39 children from local Oxfordshire schools are taking part in this ambitious project, and after months of rehearsals, the cast is ready to impress.
‘It’s a great opportunity for people to come and watch some world class opera’
“It’s a great opportunity for people to come and watch some world class opera,” Stuart, the founder and artistic director of Oxford Opera Company says. “Tosca is a fabulous story and Puccini is one of the most accessible of the great opera composers, so if you come to an opera, come to this, because we will have the full Oxford Opera Orchestra to hand, conducted by John Warner, to ensure the audience has the full opera experience, which is why it’s so well priced.
“But more than that, we want to prove that opera isn’t elite, that it’s for everybody, which is why we are trying to dismantle these barriers, because while Oxford can be seen to have that town/gown divide, here everyone comes together. Music has that ability to unify and cross boundaries,” Stuart adds.
Having taken their outreach programme into Oxfordshire’s schools and launched opera workshops for anyone aged 8-16 READ ABOUT IT HERE Oxford Opera Company now boasts a vibrant and enthusiastic youth chorus made up of children aged 9-16 from 11 schools around Oxfordshire including Cherwell School, Matthew Arnold School, The Dragon, d’Overbroecks, Oxford Cheney, Dr Radcliffe’s in Steeple Aston, St Josephs Catholic Primary School, Cokethorpe, Oxford High School and New College School.
“I love watching the children’s faces when we go into schools and see their reaction to their first aria. It has such an immediate impact. It’s so impressive. So we are immensely proud of our outreach programme – finding children who really resonate with opera as an art form and giving them the opportunity to take it further. Our youth work is an essential component to what we do,” Stuart explains.
Or as one parent from Bure Park school, Bicester, remembers: “My seven year old and his friends loved their session – he’s been talking about Mozart and the Magic Flute lots this weekend.”
Lots to be excited about then. So what of Tosca itself? “Rehearsals are going very well and we are very excited. It’s our first time back at Oxford Playhouse for two years, but it’s a natural fit because the whole ethos of Oxford Opera Company is about presenting the best quality opera and becoming part of the societal fabric of the Oxford community.”
‘not only will you see some of the world’s best opera singers in a really high quality professional production, but will be supporting the youngsters giving opera a go’
Having started work before Christmas, and with a new English translation to enjoy, Oxford Opera Company’s Tosca is set in an unspecified country, invaded by a military junta. The story pans out against the backdrop of the invasion, and with some major names from the opera world starring, the Oxford Playhouse looks set for a night to remember.
Stuart explains: “Tosca is essentially a love story with all the major themes of jealousy, love, abuse and intolerance. So it’s all about the human condition and still incredibly relevant in terms of today’s global politics.”
‘Phillip rhodes is a big coup for us. but he has a family and knows how important it is for youngsters to get into opera and be offered an opportunity like this, so we are over the moon to have him’
Marlena Devoe (soprano) will play Tosca, hot on the heels of her performance in La Bohème at Theater Münster in Germany, Sam Furness (tenor) plays her lover Cavaradossi, a well known face at The Royal Opera House and Covent Garden, while Phillip Rhodes (bass) is Scarpia and a huge draw.
“Philip is a big coup for us, Stuart agrees. “Lots of people have messaged me saying how fantastic it is to have him here with us, but he has a family and knows how important it is for youngsters to get into opera and be offered an opportunity like this, so we are over the moon to have him.
“And while Tosca has a youth chorus anyway, all of our opera singers are comfortable with their presence and delighted the children are taking part.
“So not only will you see some of the world’s best opera singers in a really high quality professional production, but will be supporting the youngsters giving opera a go. So if you only see one opera, make sure this is it.”
Tosca is at Oxford Playhouse from March 28-29. Book here: https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/tosca
