Vocal Masterclass

with

John Upperton

This class continues our study of the Bel Canto repertoire. David Roblou will follow up with detailed coaching on Bel Canto style on 17 May. You may bring other repertoire, but we would prefer Donizetti, Bellini, Rossini, and other composers from Mozart to Weber – including songs. If you would like to learn some lesser-known Donizetti from our collection of scores, please let us know. We may be able to arrange a duet.

John is a tenor who includes the Royal Opera House and English National Opera among the companies for whom he has sung roles (he will be working for the Royal Opera House this autumn), and takes much interest in teaching singers. For your information, on 13 March he will be singing Edgardo in Midsummer Opera’s Lucia di Lammermoor at Catford Theatre, conducted by David Roblou.

Each singer may book either one or two sessions of approximately 25 minutes. You need not have memorised your aria or song, though it is an advantage to have done so. Some places are available for less-experienced singers. Please would you let us know your choice of repertoire at least a fortnight in advance.

The class will take place on Sunday 5 April 2009, 1100-1800 in central London.

If we haven’t filled a session by the final fortnight (at the latest), we may be obliged to curtail or cancel it. If full, late-comers may apply at any time to go on a standby list.

The rates for singing participants will be either £40 for one or £75 for two sessions. Duets will be charged at £22 each person. Listeners may attend for £8 per day. A booking fee of £10 (for singers) will be required to secure your place (otherwise we cannot guarantee to keep it) – it will be returnable if we do not have a place available. The balance cheque becomes due 14 days before the masterclass, when you become responsible for paying your fee even if you have to withdraw, unless a substitute can be found to take your place. Cheques should be made out to Floral Opera.

To apply, please contact Lina Johnsson, who is co-ordinating these sessions, sending her the attached application form. Her email is lina@sweetmusic.info. Please remember to say how many slots you require. You can always contact Lina to indicate your interest even if you are not sure that you definitely want to take part (but please make this clear). She will request the deposit cheque (preferably accompanied by printed application) and give you an address to send it to.

With best wishes,

Gil & Gillian

Floral Opera Administrators

JOHN UPPERTON

A graduate of the University of Liverpool, John continued his studies at the Royal College of Music. He now studies with David Pollard and works closely with the conductor David Roblou. Principal engagements include English National Opera, Royal Opera House, Birmingham Opera, Garsington, New Israeli Opera, Teatro Olimpico Opera Parnassus at Manoel Theatre in Malta. As well as most of the standard lyric tenor repertoire his rôles include Rodrigo (La Donna del Lago), Pirro (Ermione) – QEH début, Jupiter (Semele), Calaf (Turandot), Radames (Aida), Edgardo (Lucia), and many contemporary works. In 1999 he made his Purcell Room début with Janáček’s Diary of one who disappeared for which he made a study of the Czech language. He was chorus master for Midsummer Opera, Chelsea Opera, and Morley College Choir, and has conducted The Magic Flute, and Suor Angelica.

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FLORAL OPERA is a non-profit-making educational group, which provides serious study courses for those who want to learn more about opera performance, with opportunities for studying stage-skills and opera singing in original languages to as high a standard as possible, under the direction of tutors with professional opera experience.

Floral Opera’s origins go back to the Practical Opera Weekends devised by Richard Gregson, which he and Nina Walker subsequently developed as part of the Royal Opera House’s educational programme. The courses are designed to provide training for singers of all levels of ability, whether they are intending to enter the music profession, or those with little experience who are seeking an educational course to study the practical aspects of opera. There are auditions for principals in the opera courses but none for chorus. Any auditions for Masterclasses will be arranged at the tutors’ discretion.

Future plans: Masterclasses: Brian Parsons (26 April), David Roblou (Bel Canto 17 May), Morag McLaren (31 May), Robin Bowman (14 June), Lesley-Anne Sammons (28 June). Stagecraft: Christopher Cowell (May/June, date to be confirmed)

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APPLICANTS (please all enter your contact details below):

John Upperton Checklist	Dates Available (1-2 in order of preference)	Singer / Listener	One or two slots	Deposit sent to Gillian	Balance Paid (Due Date)
Sunday 5 April	n/a	/			(22 March)
		/

To: Lina Johnsson/Gillian Ward

NAME……… ……. I enclose deposit / full payment (cheque to Floral Opera):……...................

My choice of repertoire:………………………………………………………………………..

If new to us, please give a brief note of your experience:………………………………………...

NAME: Voice:

Date: Tel:

Address:

Fax/mobile:

Email:

(I have / have not changed my address/tel.nos. )

(if you are new, send one s/a A4 envelope to Gillian Ward with your booking fee)

IF YOU ARE NEW TO FLORAL OPERA, PLEASE ALSO COPY TO floral.opera@dsl.pipex.com

Please state how you heard about us……………………………………………………………………