In what was quite a special opportunity created by our Music team, those who love to sing, were offered the opportunity to sing arias from the ever popular, Marriage of Figaro with coaching provided by opera specialists and NHEHS visiting music tutors, Christine Cunnold and Eli Rolfe Johnson, and accompaniment by pianist, Josef Janik.  

With just days to learn their musical scores and perfect the Italian, those that participated demonstrated amazing vocal strength and ability. Accompanied on the piano, Georgina was first up with her solo performance of Susanna’s aria `Deh Vieni’. Lizzie next – who took on the role of Cherubino and sang the aria `Voi, che sapete’, Dess and Bella teamed up as Susanna and Cherubino to perform the duet `Aprite, presto aprite’ while Ami and Saira took on the roles of the Countess and Susanna in their performance of `Sull’ aria’.

The girls also got acquainted with the opera’s history and synopsis. Mozart’s politically charged opera, which was based on a stage comedy of the same name, and with the libretto by Du Ponte, has a relatively complicated synopsis, which is why the opera – a comic opera (opera bouffa), is in four acts rather than the usual three. The opera is set to cover one day and takes place in the castle and grounds of the Count Almaviva and his wife, near Seville. It tells the story of how the servants Figaro and Susanna succeed in getting married, foiling the efforts of their philandering employer Count Almaviva to seduce Susanna, the bride, and teaching him a lesson in fidelity. There is a real mix of farce and sensitivity throughout the opera. 

Well done to the girls who participated and who really took on board the feedback and direction they were given by their vocal coaches. From nuances in the language, within the music and within the score itself, and with the specific technicalities of each aria, the girls took to their opera challenge with tremendous professionalism.

Programme:

No. 27 Act 4, sc. 5: Susanna aria ‘Deh vieni’

Georgina with Grace (accomp) 

No. 11, Act 2, sc. 2: Cherubino aria ‘Voi, che sapete’

Lizzie  

No. 14 Act 2, sc. 5: duet Susanna & Cherubino ‘Aprite, presto aprite’

Dess and Bella  

No. 21 Act 3, sc.6: chorus as a duet ‘Ricevete’

Ellie with Eli  

No. 23 – Act 4, sc. 1, Barbarina aria ‘L’ho perduta’

Isabella  

No. 20 Act 3, sc. 5: duet Countess and Susanna ‘Sull’ aria’

Ami and Saira 

The Music Department is also grateful for the wonderful coaching provided by Eli, Christine and Jozef. Between them, they share expertise of having performed all over the world, working with companies such as the Royal Opera House and ENO.