Come & Play: Music of the Opera 16th November 2024. Do you play an orchestral instrument? Fancy rehearsing and performing music from some of the world’s most loved operas? Yes? Well look no further… Join conductor Derek Clark, Scottish Opera’s celebrated former Head of Music, for an exciting and enjoyable day of music making for adult instrumentalists of all ages playing at a minimum of ABRSM/Trinity Grade 5 level.
Rehearse and explore the operatic repertoire in an encouraging, fun and relaxed environment before performing for family and friends in a closing concert. All music will be provided in advance (so no sight reading on the day to lose sleep over!).
Enjoy exploring and performing a programme of music inspired by some of opera’s most popular works including Bizet’s toe-tapping Prelude from “Carmen”, Mascagni’s beautiful Intermezzo from “Cavalleria rusticana” and Verdi’s rousing Triumphal March from “Aida”.
Complimentary tea & coffee will be provided throughout the day.
Derek Clark was born in Glasgow and is an Honours graduate of the RSAMD and the University of Durham. He studied at the London Opera Centre before joining Welsh National Opera as a répétiteur in 1977, making his professional conducting debut in 1981 with Handel’s Tamerlano. He was Head of Music at Scottish Opera from 1997 to 2023 and conducted more than 30 operas for the company, including major works by Handel and Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Massenet, Puccini, and Gilbert & Sullivan.
He continues to work as an accompanist, and as a Guest Coach and examiner at the major conservatoires and at the National Opera Studio. Though most of his professional life has been spent in the opera house, he has also found time to compose and arrange music for a wide variety of people and circumstances – his music has been performed in venues ranging from village halls to Westminster Abbey. He was appointed Musical Director of Dundee Choral Union in 2011, and since 2014 has been Director of Music at Helensburgh Parish Church, where his annual ‘Come and Sing’ Christmas concerts, and concerto performances have raised many thousands of pounds for charities such as MacMillan Cancer Care and Christian Aid.
Spaces for Come & Play: Music of the Opera are strictly limited so early booking is advised before the application deadline of Monday 11th November. Faculty, venue and programme are subject to alteration.
Come & Play: Music of the Opera
Saturday 16th November 2024 • 10.30am-5.00pm
Robertson Music Centre: St George’s School
Garscube Terrace Edinburgh EH12 6BG
Participation Fee: £30.00 per person (booking fee applies)
Book via eventbrite
*EVENT CANCELLED
