April
February
New release from Chandos
The Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and their principal conductor, Jonathan Nott have a residency at the Edinburgh International Festival from 29 August until 3 September. The eclectic programmes include a performance with another PMF Scholar, Alice Coote singing Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder. But opera is also included with a concert performance of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde with Christine Brewer, who has just brought out a CD in the Great Operatic Arias series for Chandos Opera in English, see below. She will be joined on stage by Jane Irwin as Brangäne, another PMF Scholar.
Available from February 2005

Two more Donizetti rarities – Elvida and Francesca di Foix
Mozart's The Magic Flute

with Rebecca Evans (Pamina), Barry Banks (Tamino), Elizabeth Vidal (Queen of the Night), Simon Keenlyside (Papageno), Lesley Garrett (Papagena), and John Tomlinson (Sarastro). Conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

The Sunday Times
'Mackerras, who conducted, is perhaps the world’s wisest and most inquiring Mozartian, and here he gets playing of magical transparency from the LPO, highlighting the wind solos and bringing a sense of wonder to the music now rarely experienced in the theatre.'
Jonathan Nott, Chief Conductor of Germany’s historic Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, made his major orchestra debut at the Royal Festival Hall on 26 January, with the London Philharmonic. Some 15 years ago, Jonathan was encouraged by Peter Moores and supported through the PMF to pursue his fledgling career in Continental Europe.

After working with Frankfurt and Wiesbaden Opera, he became Music Director of Lucerne Opera and Lucerne Symphony Orchestra. From 1999 to 2003 he was Chief Conductor of the Ensemble Intercontemporain in Paris – the new music ensemble established by Pierre Boulez (where Jonathan still works as principal guest). An outstanding interpreter of the work of Gyorgy Ligeti, he became the composer’s conductor of choice, recording two volumes of his complete works with the Berlin Philharmonic.

He had a big success with his Bamberg Orchestra at the Edinburgh Festival two years ago and will be returning in 2005 for a 5-concert residency at the Festival, including a complete performance of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.
This latest release in the Great Operatic Arias series reveals the artistry of American soprano Christine Brewer (Leonora in the recently released Fidelio in the Chandos Opera in English label) in an unexpectedly wide-ranging repertoire.

Christine sang Isolde at the Edinburgh Festival in August and Leonora in concert performances of Fidelio with Sir Charles Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in Edinburgh and London (Barbican) in October.
Peter Moores Foundation celebrates 10 years of Opera in English with Chandos Records
(and 32 years of recording opera)

In October 2005, a new recording of Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, will be at the heart of celebrations for the 10th anniversary of Opera in English, the award-winning label established by the Peter Moores Foundation with Chandos Records, to record operas sung in English translation. 44 opera recordings, a series of recital discs and a number of ‘highlight’ discs, form the largest collection of opera recorded in English translation.

Peter Moores has said:
‘A language is not a subject to be studied; it is a means of communication. And that is really what the Opera in English series is about. It’s about understanding the opera. Tosca is not better in English than it is in Italian; it is simply that it’s in your own language, so you can understand it. Opera in English is about opening a door, but not about pushing people through it. I want people to have the opportunity to share in something that I’ve been able to explore and enjoy.’
Following its recording of the concert performance of Rossini’s rarely performed opera – Adelaide di Borgogna at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival with Majella Cullagh, Bruce Ford and Jennifer Larmore which was funded by the Peter Moores Foundation, Opera Rara has moved to the Royal Opera House to record the concert performances of Donizetti’s five act opera in French, Dom Sébastien, roi de Portugal conducted by Mark Elder. The recording, due to be released in February, 2007, is also funded by the PMF.
Another Verdi Original - La Forza del Destino joins Macbeth, Simon Boccanegra and Les Vêpres Siciliennes in the series. This is the original 1862 St Petersburgh version on CD for the first time.
Smetana's The Bartered Bride - conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras - was released in October to herald Opera in English month celebrating 31 years of opera recordings in English, initiated by Sir Peter Moores, and 10 years of the label established with Chandos Records.
A Cello concerto with royal connections

The Foundation has commissioned a cello concerto from Sir Richard Rodney Bennett entitled Reflections on a Scottish Folksong. It will be premiered early in 2006 by cellist Paul Watkins and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

HRH The Prince of Wales, Patron of the Philharmonia, is dedicating the work to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

In 2004/5 PMF is supporting performances of:

Young Vic/English Touring Opera's production of Jonathan Dove's Tobias and the Angel
Rossini's La Cenerentola - a new production at Glyndebourne Festival 2005
Sir Charles Mackerras honoured with three prestigious awards

In addition to the Honorary Doctorate from the Royal Academy of Music (he is only the third person to receive the honour) and the Royal Philharmonic Society's highest honour, the Gold Medal, Sir Charles is the first winner of the Queen's Medal for Music. This new annual award, is for an individual (or group of musicians) who is judged to have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation.

Announcing the award at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday July 16th, the Master of The Queen’s Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, made the following statement:
'Sir Charles Mackerras is one of the most highly respected and greatly loved musicians of our time. He was born in America and brought up in Australia, but he has worked in this country now for nearly sixty years, and has become a central figure in our musical life, bringing us discoveries and rare repertory in superb performances, with a continual spirit of adventure.

Through the power and authority of his interpretations of Janácek, he introduced this country to the work of one of the greatest opera composers. He brought stylish performance practice to the music of the baroque and classical periods, especially Handel oratorio and Mozart opera. He has recently been enjoying acclaim around the world in a wide repertory from Brahms symphonies to Strauss operas; and this year he conducted Mozart’s Magic Flute at both the Royal Opera and Glyndebourne.

In this country, he has had long associations with English National Opera and Welsh National Opera, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Concert Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Abroad, he has worked extensively with the Czech Philharmonic, recorded the Janácek operas with the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted the Orchestra of St Luke’s in New York and the San Francisco Opera. He recently made his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic at the age of 78, and was immediately re-invited.

Sir Charles turns 80 later this year, but he has the energy and commitment of someone half his age. Musical life in this country has benefited immeasurably from his presence among us, and will continue to do so. It is very fitting indeed that he should be the first recipient of The Queen’s Medal for Music.'

Sir Charles commented:
'It is wonderful news that Her Majesty has decided to initiate this medal for music and I am most honoured that the very first one will be given to me. I would like to thank the Queen for bestowing it and Peter Maxwell Davies for suggesting it.'

The Queen will present the medal to Sir Charles on or around 22nd November 2005, St Cecilia’s Day.
Donizetti’s Pia De' Tolomei appears for the first time on compact disc. After the concert performance, Tim Ashley of The Guardian wrote:
'Majella Cullagh is technically staggering, pushing herself to her expressive limits in order to convey Pia's emotional and moral agony.'
David Parry conducted The London Philharmonic Orchestra with Manuela Custer, Bruce Ford and Roberto Servile.
In 2004/5 PMF is supporting performances of:

Rossini's Le Comte Ory conducted by 'Featured Artist' David Parry at Garsington Opera.

Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Buxton Festival

Young Vic/English Touring Opera's production of Jonathan Dove's Tobias and the Angel

English Touring Opera's Spring 2005 tour of Mozart's Così fan tutte, Donizetti's Mary Stuart and Mozart's The (Little) Magic Flute.

Rossini's La Cenerentola - a new production at Glyndebourne Festival 2005
Lee Bisset was a member of the National Opera Studio 2003/2004. She sang Anna Bolena in the NOS Showcase 2004 and has recently sung Fiordiligi with Pimlico Opera.
D'Arcy Bleiker will be singing Figaro in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro at Garsington during June and July 2005.
Kate Brian (currently at RNCM), sang Mimi at the Mananan (Manx) International Festival in August/September 2004.
Doreen Curran sang Cherubino with Savoy Opera in Spring 2004 and will be singing Cherubino in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro at Garsington during June and July 2005.
Elizabeth Donovan is an Associate Artist with Welsh National Opera with whom she has sung Second Flowermaiden in Parsifal, Echo in Ariadne auf Naxos and will sing First Lady in The Magic Flute in May 2005, as well as covering a number of principal roles.
Charlotte Ellett is an Associate Artist with Welsh National Opera with whom she sang Frasquita in the 2003/4 season WNO tour of Carmen. She is currently singing Musetta in English Touring Opera’s Autumn tour of La boheme.
Amy Freston joined the National Opera Studio course 2003/2004, and was released to perform in the world premiere of Harrison Birtwistle’s chamber opera The Passion of Io at the Aldeburgh/Almeida Opera Festivals, June/July 2004. She has been covering roles at Opera North and will sing Cherubino with Glyndebourne on Tour in 2005.
Annie Gill is enjoying her first season with Les jeunes Voix du Rhin, the studio for young singers run by L’Opera national du Rhin, based in Colmar. She is scheduled to sing with the main company in a production of Lulu opening in January 2005.

Alexander Grove has just completed a tour with Mid-Wales Opera, singing Borsa in Rigoletto. Earlier in 2004 he appeared with Stowe Opera, singing Remendado in Carmen and toured with The Opera Group in productions of Weill’s Mahagonny, Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti and the world premiere of Tim Coker’s Faceless Suit, Walking not Driving. In Summer 2004, Alexander also had the opportunity to study for several days with Nicolai Gedda, in particular the role of Tamino.
Karina Lucas is a member of the National Opera Studio Course for 2004/5. She sang Dorabella in Grange Park Opera’s production of Cosi fan tutte in Summer 2004.
Flora McIntosh (major PMF Scholar 2003/4) was engaged to sing the role of Orestes in La Belle Helene with Savoy Opera. She has made a demo CD and will be covering the role of Dorabella with English Touring Opera in Spring 2005.
Dominica Matthews, current major PMF Scholar at the RNCM, has won the Clonter Audience Prize in Cheshire and was runner up for the Clonter Opera Prize for her role as Suzuki in Madama Butterfly at the Britten Theatre (RCM), London. She will sing the title role in La Cenerentola at the RNCM in March 2005.
Claire Ormshaw sang Papagena in Glyndebourne’s new production of Die Zauberflote, 2004, and then with L’Opera de Paris. She returns in the role for Glyndebourne’s 2005 Festival where she will also cover the roles of Clorinda in La Cenerentola) and Tina in Flight. She sang Amor in Opera North’s new production of Orfeo ed Euridice at the 2004 Edinburgh Festival and on tour.
Martin Snell will make his debut in 2005 at the Bayreuth Festival in two minor roles in Lohengrin and Tristan und Isolde. He will be singing Sparafucile in Verdi's Rigoletto and Ned in Joplin's Treemonisha in Lucerne, Gremin in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin at the theatre in St Gallen, followed by Nick Shadow in Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress at the Lucerne Festival.
Andrew Sritheran completed a year with the National Opera Studio, singing Werther in the NOS Showcase 2004. He sang Pinkerton with Opera North and with Clonter Opera and was engaged to perform with Savoy Opera (prior to cancellation of its Autumn 2004 season).
Clive Bayley sings Sarastro in Mozart’s The Magic Flute (September 2005)
Alice Coote sings the title role in Handel’s Ariodante (June 2005)
Ann Marie Gibbons is an ENO Young Singer for 05/06
Ashley Holland sings Mr Redburn in Britten’s Billy Budd (December 2005) and the Marquis de la Force in Poulenc’s The Carmelites(October 2005).
Pavlo Hunka sings Mr Flint in Britten’s Billy Budd (December 2005).
Jane Irwin sings Amastris in Handel’s Xerxes (November 2005).
Darren Jeffery sings the Speaker in Mozart’s The Magic Flute (September 2005)
Simon Keenlyside sings Billy Budd in a WNO/Opera Australia production of Britten’s opera, new to ENO (December 2005).
Mary Plazas makes her title role debut in a new production of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly, directed by Anthony Minghella, conducted by David Parry (November 2005).
Toby Spence sings Paris in Offenbach’s La belle Helene (Theatre du Chatelet production, new to ENO, March 2006). He also sings Tamino in Mozart's The Magic Flute (September 2005).
Toby Stafford Allen sings Marullo in Verdi’s Rigoletto (February 2006).
Rebecca von Lipinski makes her ENO debut as Karin in the world stage premiere of Gerald Barry’s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (based on the original play by Fassbinder) which opens ENO’s 2005/6 season in September.

March
Special events supported by PMF
Opera Rara releases a new Donizetti
November
New Great Operatic Arias from Christine Brewer
PMF Scholars News
New release from Chandos Opera in English series
Jonathan Nott returns to the Edinburgh Festival
September
Opera Rara to record concert performances from the Royal Opera House
New recording from Opera Rara
August
PMF and Chandos Opera celebrate
October
June
Live opera on a Big Screen comes to Compton Verney from Glyndebourne
New releases from Opera Rara
Sir Charles Mackerras
A special cello concerto commissioned by PMF
December
PMF supports Live Performances
PMF Scholars news
July
PMF Scholars News
Jan 2005
Simon Holt won the 2004 British Composer Award
Let’s celebrate

On 4 January 2005 Simon Holt won the 2004 British Composer Award for his stage work, Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm?. The world premiere was given in 2003 by Almeida Opera, whose annual festivals of contemporary music theatre have been supported by the Peter Moores Foundation every year since the very first was launched in 1992.
In October, heldentenor, John Treleaven will be returning to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (he made his debut there in 1979) as Siegfried in Wagner’s The Ring – Siegfried. It is a new production conducted by Antonio Pappano and directed by Keith Warner with set design by Stefanos Lazaridis. He will be sharing the stage with John Tomlinson, a Featured Artist, as Wanderer (Wotan), Gerhard Siegel as Mime, Peter Sidhom as Alberich, Jane Henschel as Erda and Lisa Gasteen as Brünnhilde.
Compton Verney’s Big Screen relay of Rossini’s La Cenerentola from Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

On Saturday 4th June, Compton Verney will host a FREE outdoor screening of Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Cinderella, relayed live from Glyndebourne, directed by Peter Hall and conducted by Vladimir Jurowski.

The Evening Standard
‘First-rate Rossini’

The Financial Times
‘The opening night found the audience captivated by one of the best nights Glyndebourne has enjoyed for many a year.’

The Independent
‘I have never seen the ensembles more cunningly staged to bring out their conniving character. Each of the characters has something to hide, some secret that only we, the audience, are party to... There is an air of the madhouse about it... Rossini's immaculate anarchy at its most dazzling.’

This is only the second time that Glyndebourne has provided a Big Screen live relay and is the first to take place outside London. The production and the Big Screen relay are funded by the Peter Moores Foundation.

Some written responses received from the audience after the event:
‘Just to say what a marvellous treat your screening from Glyndebourne was last night. It was a stunning performance - and the organisation of the event was immaculate. Thank you Compton Verney.’
'We are not opera fans, but thought we should support this event as it was local (and free!) how glad we were that we went... perhaps we are now opera fans in the making!’