Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912), the Afro-British composer and conductor, is featured at AfriClassical.com. Today we present a review posted at the website of the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Foundation, www.SCTF.org.uk:
Samuel
Coleridge-Taylor Foundation
Posted
by SCTF Editor
February 18, 2012
“Robert
Eichert
is the latest recruit to the SCTF panel of writers. He attended the
recent premiere of Thelma, and writes:
“World
Première of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Opera, Thelma (or The
Amulet)
“Over four hundred
people, including the mayor, local MP and descendants of the
composer, braved the freezing weather to attend Croydon’s Ashcroft
Theatre on the 9th of February for Surrey Opera’s eagerly
anticipated world première of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s opera,
Thelma.
“Catherine Carr’s
pre-performance talk covered her rediscovery of the Thelma manuscript
at the British Library and furnished useful additional background.
During the question and answer session it emerged that an audience
member had been present at one of the staged productions of Hiawatha
in the 1930’s.
“Following
Catherine’s discovery, work still had to be done by the talented
team at Surrey Opera to prepare Thelma for performance, notably the
transcription of the original manuscripts and the adaptation of the
libretto. The plot of Thelma was relatively uncomplicated to follow
with the ample programme notes and surtitles to assist.
“The excellent
orchestra was conducted with flair by Jonathan Butcher. The
minimalist set and lighting was highly effective and enhanced the
mood. Indeed, the mist from the soldiers’ encampment in the first
act wafted through the orchestra and reached some of the audience.
The costumes looked the part, especially those of the undersea
dwellers, the Necks, with their shell hats and seaweed robes that
looked as if they had been shredded in the dreaded Maelstrom.
“In keeping with
Coleridge-Taylor’s other works, the music was rich in melody. There
were several good solos and duets and one moving piece sung by the
four lead characters. The choir and principals performed well. The
audience gave more applause at the end for their favourite
characters. But the music was the real winner.
“All in all,
Thelma was a splendid collaborative effort. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s
home town did him proud.”
Robert
Eichert
17.02.2012
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