Overseas Projects
Cuban Journey 2009
Can you imagine the scene – we all tumbled out of a small Havana taxi, loaded with musical and educational gifts and a purple violin for the children of the Conservatorio de Musica ‘Manuel Saumell’. Before us we were astonished to see the mock Tudor facade of the 19th century school, home to bright, excited children, squeezed into small practice rooms, even to the topmost floor – an elevated roof terrace where the boys could practice their percussion instruments at full volume to the wide-open blue sky.
Gillian Humphreys our indefatigable artistic director was swept towards their petit theatre where we listened to delightful music from a group of talented youngsters with an audience of their peers giving them enthusiastic and, it seemed, unconditional support. Rosie Mayhew, our scenic artist, displayed the pictures drawn and painted by the children of Shapla school, Tower Hamlets, and, encouraged by Rosie, twelve young volunteers were drawing and painting their exchange impressions of Havana.
This was the reason we were in Cuba! Extending our ‘golden thread of hope’, which has taken us to Romania, Malaysia, Argentina and twice to Vietnam where we presented western style opera productions in the beautiful opera houses of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
James Cleverton, baritone, from ENO and Japanese violinist Satoko Fukuda, both Concordia ambassadors, gave masterclasses for the students at the Palacio del Teatro Lyrico and at the Institute Superior de Arte respectively. Gillian presented the The Still Voice Sings Within, our programme for world peace at the Amadeo Roldan Theatre, featuring, Satoko, James, Eduardo Martin the famous Cuban guitarist/composer and his son, the exceptionally young talented pianist Dario Martin.
Rosie Mayhew, our scenic artist, painted a dramatic canvas backdrop depicting a journey from darkness into light illustrating the theme of the concert The Still Voice Sings Within as the performance progressed.
Our musical journey concluded with a concert at the beautiful Basilica Menor del Convento de San Francisco de Asis where Satoko played a new composition by Eduardo Martin, Hasta Alicia Baila, for violin and guitar, at a concert celebrating his music.
For the artists in our party our journey had been inspirational and seven Friends of Concordia, who had travelled with us, enjoyed a fascinating and illuminating cultural and educational tour to an island rich in history and destined to face great changes in the years ahead.
PJD
28 April 2009
The Still Voice Sings Within, Switzerland
August 2008
In August a Concordia international ensemble Phuong Nguyen, Miho Sanou, Satoko Fukuda, Ahmed Dickinson-Cardenas and Rosie Mayhew presented The Still Voice Sings Within in Switzerland for the Renewal Arts Forum.
Once again the Concordia Ensemble thrilled the audience with a performance of music and art. The “Still Voice” concert will stay in my memory for a long time. The painting and the progression of the music fitted beautifully together. They all gave of their best. Thank you so much for what you did to make their visit possible. Kathleen Dodds-Renewal Arts Committee
Just to say that the programme you and they had created was so lovely and so wonderfully put together. The way that the pieces flowed from one to the other and the few words so carefully chosen made a whole which was magical. Elizabeth Tooms
Concordia was a huge asset to the Renewal Arts Forum and definitely one of the highlights with their Evening Program, their Artistic Encounter and Arts a la Carte. Their accessibility was refreshing and for those participants taking advantage of their willingness to contribute in numerous ways . . .ILLUMINATING! Bev Appleton-Director, Renewal Arts
Teatro dei Rozzi, Siena, Italy
January 2007
Magical Medieval Siena was a fitting setting for Concordia’s debut performance in Italy to present The Still Voice Sings Within at the early 19th century Teatro dei Rozzi. A warm day, more suited to April than January greeted the performers and supporters on their arrival with Christmas trees, lights and decorations still on many streets awaiting Twelfth Night. The concert took place in the restored auditorium gleaming in Concordia blue. Opening with Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, the cast, displayed their international heritage by appearing in their national costumes. A programme of classical music from Purcell to Gershwin, Celtic melodies, American spirituals, Hungarian czardas and Argentinean tangos, captivated the audience culminating in a standing ovation for our talented performers.
Pagliacci, Hanoi, Vietnam
by Leoncavallo
An Operatic and Educational Project in London and Hanoi.
Produced by Gillian Humphreys, Artistic Director of the Foundation, in association with Graham Sutcliffe MBE, Musical Director and Conductor of the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra in Hanoi.
Director Jeff Clarke chose 5 artists by audition to study and prepare with him the principal roles in Pagliacci. They rehearsed for 2 weeks in London, giving a workshop presentation before flying to Hanoi with a group of Concordia supporters at the end of October.
Rehearsals with the Vietnamese orchestra and chorus were followed by 2 Gala performances at the world famous Opera House in Hanoi. The 5 artists met with local artists, and students at the conservatoire in Hanoi under-studied their operatic roles.
This built upon the bridge of friendship and education established between our two countries 5 years ago, when Concordia and Graham Sutcliffe opened the Ho Chi Minh Opera House with Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.
Local artists painted the scenic backdrop for Pagliacci and craftspeople designed and made the costumes for the Vietnamese chorus.
