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Three Masterclasses – three evenings of magic – and what an extraordinary privilege it was to spend successive Sunday evenings watching Philip Langridge, Joan Rodgers and Sir John Tomlinson working with young singers on various aspects of their craft.  Audiences are usually presented with a finished product, and so it was a rare chance to examine the “nuts and bolts” of opera and to see how they fit together to produce the totality of a dramatic performance.  

Each of the three distinguished artists had their own method of approach:

Philip Langridge Masterclass
Philip chose to work on Le nozze di Figaro, and in particular the recitatives which, because there is no musical accompaniment, give singers the rare chance of setting their own timing.  Under his guidance conversational extracts emerged revealing new insights into plot and personality.   He also staged a scene from The Turn of the Screw between Peter Quint and Miss Jessel, and discussed the difficulties of playing a character who is outside the normal living world, building on atmosphere and suggestion rather than fact.
Singers that took part, Tyler Clarke, Georgia Ginsberg, Benedict Nelson, Carthaigh Quill and Cressida van Gordon accompanied by Murray Hipkin.

Joan Rodgers Masterclass
Joan again chose Figaro alongside Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier. She concentrated on text, encouraging the singers to consider what motivates their characters at each point and what emotions they feel.  From there they experimented with body language and the shading of their voices reflect these emotions.
Singers that took part, Kristen Darragh, Erica Eloff, Gary Griffiths, Rhian Mair Lewis and Julia Sporsen accompanied by Frances Hills. 

Sir John Tomlinson Masterclass
Sir John started with a selection of individual arias before moving on to some staging of the opening of Don Giovanni. This is an action packed scene with a full stage where a group of diverse characters have to establish their credentials quickly, before a fight breaks out leading to a death – murder or accident – how should it be staged, and how should each individual react?  All this was examined and resolved with seeming ease, the fruits of years of experience being passed on with cheerful goodwill.
Singers that took part, Lucasz Jacobcxyk, Nicholas Lester, Paul Reeves, Fiona Scott, Jonathan Sells and Philip Spendley accompanied by Elizabeth Rowe.

Earlier afternoon sessions before an invited student audience had concentrated on more technical matters. No doubt adding up to a long day for all those involved, but it was quite clear from the adrenaline and enthusiasm still in evidence at the end of the evening, that every minute of the time had been valued and enjoyed. 

Serena Fenwick

All Masterclasses photographs by Nick Gurney