**** A fascinating piece, well worth encountering.
“Over its 46 years of existence, New Sussex Opera has shown considerable enterprise in seeking out and performing rare, worthwhile operas. Their latest rediscovery is The Silver Bell Le Timbre d’argent, in a neat English translation by Paul Featherstone. Given bags of atmosphere by Mollie Cheek’s designs, as well as James Harvey’s striking lighting, Paul Higgins’ production brings together all the diverse elements of the plot with optimum clarity.
As Conrad, Anthony Flaum’s outstanding stage savoir faire is unimpaired: Arshak Kuzikyan draws on the darker colours of his powerful baritone to summon up the demonic Dr Spiridion, while Sky Ingram’s bright soprano creates the exact vocal persona for the much-loved Hélène. Lucy Farrimond’s Rosa, Harun Tekin’s Bénédict and Hope Heaven’s Patrick all leave a positive mark. In the entirely danced roles of Circé and Fiametta and precisely matching the varied moods of Saint-Saëns’ score, Namiko Gahier-Ogawa treads the steps of her own choreography perfectly.
Working with the flexible St Paul’s Sinfonia, conductor Toby Purser demonstrates considerable sensitivity to the score’s many musical subtleties. The chorus, meanwhile, works its collective socks off.”
George Hall – The Stage (Review of the Blackheath performance)
This is another invaluable and enjoyable addition to NSO’s enterprising repertoire of little-known and forgotten works.
Curtis Rogers – Classical Source (Review of the Eastbourne performance)
more…
Fully staged – new English translation by Paul Featherstone
St Paul’s Sinfonia, New Sussex Opera Chorus
Conductor Toby Purser, Director Paul Higgins, Designer Mollie Cheek,
Lighting Designer James Harvey, Dramaturg Benjamin Poore
Conrad Anthony Flaum, Hélène Sky Ingram, Spiridion Arshak Kuzikyan,
Rosa Lucy Farrimond, Bénédict Harun Tekin, Circé-Fiametta Namiko Gahier-Ogawa
All performances at 4 pm. Running time approximately 2’50” including interval.
For booking information click here
New Sussex Opera follows The Dragon of Wantley with another exciting discovery. NSO’s same team has created the UK première production of The Silver Bell (Le Timbre d’argent) by Saint-Saëns, in a newly commissioned English translation.
A poor, tormented artist, consumed with passion and ambition, is given a silver bell that will provide all his heart desires. But in this story from the librettists behind Faust and The Tales of Hoffmann things could never be so simple. It is fantastical and compelling tale, illuminated by a sumptuous and sensual score: NSO presents an unmissable first chance to discover this masterpiece by Saint-Saëns, one of the greatest composers of his time.
Production photographs by Colin Chapman
“Jaw-droppingly stupendous”
Christopher Morley (Midlands Classical Music Making)
See the details, reviews and photographs of our production here
“One of the UK’s most enterprising small opera companies, New Sussex Opera constantly surprises with its ambition and the quality of its fully staged productions.” Opera Now September 2018
“New Sussex Opera continues to set the pace in terms of unfamiliar operas, imaginatively staged.” Classical Source
“I have been in awe of the courageous adventurousness of your work over many decades.” Simon Banks, author of “Opera: the autobiography of the Western World”.
New Sussex Opera is a community based company. If you would like to be involved beyond being a member of the audience at our productions, there are many possibilities. Click About NSO for more background information, and Taking part for more about what opportunities are available. If as a singer you would like to take part in our next production click here for more information.
The Behrens Foundation
