Introduction:
A dynamic, contemporary take on Verdi’s classic tale of love and loss featuring one of the most iconic scores of all time.
Living life on her own terms, glamorous Violetta falls in love with young poet Alfredo. But their intoxicating romance takes a devastating turn when Violetta becomes the target of society’s double standards. Faced with an impossible choice, she sacrifices what may be her only chance of real love. When all is revealed, will it be too late?
Barefoot Opera brings a fresh, youthful take to Verdi’s classic tale, with physical theatre, movement and stripped-back staging, whilst the performers are accompanied by a small group of musicians on piano, clarinet, double bass and accordion, collectively known as the Barefoot Band.
A production for newcomers to opera as much as opera lovers, the outstanding international cast, including rising star Turkish soprano Beren Kader Fidan as Violetta, and South African-born tenor Tylor Lamani as Alfredo, will perform alongside singers from community choirs, schools and colleges from across Kent, Sussex and London.
Verdi’s opera pulls at the heart strings with its extraordinary music, and, touching on themes of envy, hypocrisy and toxic masculinity, is as relevant today as it ever was. Contrasting party scenes with tender intimate moments, this is a must-see opera event!
The Cast:
Beren Fidan - Violetta
Turkish soprano Beren Fidan graduated from National Opera Studio(22/23), London. Beren was also awarded a full scholarship to attend the Summer Academy Mozarteum in Salzburg.
Some of her awards include the 2nd Prize in the 20th Siemens Opera Contest, and the 1st Prize in the 13th Young Soloist Competition.
In 2019, Beren had the honour of performing for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bürgerfest des Bundespräsidenten in Bellevue Palace, Berlin. She has also made impressive debuts at WNO, Opera North, and Scottish Opera, Wigmore Hall and Cadogan Hall with the NOS. She worked with directors such as Adele Thomas and Olivia Fuchs. She sang under the baton of Christian Curnyn, Wyn Davies, Garry Walker, Derek Clark and David Parry.
Beren recently performed as the Queen of the Night(Magic Flute, Mozart) at Cork Opera. Right after she portrayed Gretel(Hansel & Gretel, Humperdinck) at HGO directed by Jeanne Pansard-Besson, conducted by Thomas Payne.
Tylor Lamani - Alfredo
South African born tenor Tamsanqa Tylor Lamani. Tylor has travelled and performed abroad in Germany, Scotland, Sweden, Copenhagen and the United Kingdom. With Cape Town Opera Tylor has sung the roles of Tebaldo in iCapuleti e iMontecchi, and Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi. He has also understudied the following roles with Cape Town Opera; Don Basilio/ Don Curzio in The Marriage of Figaro, Nemorino in L’elisir d’Amore, Alfredo in La Traviata, Cavaradossi in Tosca. Tylor performed the role of Tamino for the UCT kaleidoscope in 2019 and was invited to an “Evening of French Opera” concert in which he sang 5 French arias, by different composers such as Georges Bizet, Jules Massenet, Giacomo Meyerbeer and Charles Gounod. This will be Tylor’s UK debut as a performer.
Michael Dewis – Père Germont
Michael Dewis studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Opera
Studio. He studied with Rudolph Piernay, David Pollard, David Barrell and currently works at HithaidTauberavards,ThearodFosenthaiArardandtheArrawbudaratdfotthe He has been a regular soloist with all the UK Opera companies, mostly with the Royal Opera Covent Garden, English National Opera, Welsh National and Opera North. He has been a guest at many European opera houses, and was a principal of Bremerhaven in Germany for four years. His concert career has seen him sing with all the major British orchestras, and he has performed concerts across the globe. He has broadcast and recorded many works, and is a specialist of German Lieder.
Kezia Robson – Annina / Soprano ensemble
Kezia Robson is a British soprano and a graduate of the postgraduate performance course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Kezia also holds a 1st Class honours degree from Durham University in Anthropology and Sociology and an MA Music from Birmingham University.
Recent roles include Adele in Die Fledermaus (Carshalton Opera), the title role in Lehár’s, The Merry Widow (Bath Opera), Frasquita in Bizet’s Carmen (North Wales Opera Studio), and covering the role of Emily Brontë in Lisa Logan’s opera premiere of Brontë at the Grimeborn Festival (Keynote Opera). She has also been working with Electric Voice Theatre on their Eliza Flower project and is a regular performer with Musicians in the UK for their East Wind Concert series, which has introduced her to singing in Mandarin.
Other past engagements include soprano soloist in Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio (Plymouth Choral Society), Faure’s Requiem at Holy Trinity Brompton and Mozart’s Litaniae Lauretanae (Morley Chamber Choir and Meridian Choir).
Phoebe Rayner – Flora / Mezzo ensemble
Praised for her “coppery” and “richly coloured mezzo”, Phoebe Rayner is a recent graduate of the Royal College of Music and Royal Northern College of Music. She is a Stoller Hall Emerging Artist and Britten Pears Young Artist specialising in contemporary music and the development of new works. Roles and scenes performed include Nerone in Agrippina(Hampstead Garden Opera), La chatte/L'écureuil in L’enfant et les sortilèges (RCM Opera Studio), Concepción in L'heure Espagnole (Ernest Reed Symphonic Orchestra), Stewardess in Flight (RCM Opera Studio), Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel (Westminster Opera Company), Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Dorabella in Così fan tutte, and Nancy in Albert Herring(RCM Scenes).
George Seymour – Tenor ensemble & Cover Alfredo
George Seymour began singing in different children’s choirs at the age of 6. From the age of 12, he joined the “Maitrise de l'Opéra National du Rhin” and stayed for 8 years. There, George started to take private lessons in vocal technic with a professional Opera singer (Christophe de Ray Lassaigne), who encouraged him to continue singing. He obtained his A-Level in literature and theatre followed by a Bachelor in Musicology. George continued to progress at the “Conservatoire de Strasbourg”, where he achieved his Diploma in Musical Studies (DEM) with the help of his teacher (Silvana Torto). In parallel to his studies, George took roles in Opera and operetta companies. He also took masterclasses with vocal coaches such as Alessandro Amoretti, Mélanie Moussay, Nadia Jauneau-Cury and Jenny Miller. In order to take a step forward into professional opera singing, George is currently being coached by Yves Sotin.
Owain Gwynfryn – Alternate Germont (27/9 & 5/10) & Bari ensemble]
Recent winner of the Everybody Can Robert Presley Award, Owain received his Master’s in classical singing at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama. There he studied under the esteemed tutelage of David Pollard and was awarded the Keith Bonnington Prize at Guildhall for male voices. Prior to this, he began his Operatic training at Morley Opera School, London. Owain performed the role of Harašta in the OFFIE-winning Hampstead Garden Opera’s production of Cunning Little Vixen, and Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro (also with HGO), which won the NODA London Opera Award for 2022.
Owain most recently sang with the Grange Park Opera Chorus in their production of Tristan und Isolde in the summer of 2023. Additionally, the Welsh Baritone covered the lead role of Alfio as well as singing in the choruses in Cavalleria Rusticana and Il Paglicacci at West Green House Opera.
Charles Brocklebank – Bari ensemble 27/9 & 5/10
Charles Brocklebank is a 20 year old Bass-Baritone, studying at The Guildhall School of Music, London under the tutorage of John Evans, and a recipient of the ‘Robert Easton Scholarship’ for Bass/Baritone-voices, 2022 academic year. Charles’ musical training began aged just 8, as a Truro Cathedral chorister, followed by a vocal scholarship at the specialist music school, Wells Cathedral School, where alongside choral and Barbershop choirs, he was introduced to opera. Recent performances are a choir performance at London Fashion Week, directed by Gavin Roberts. Also chorus and supporting roles in the 2023 Guildhall double bill opera, ‘Maria Egiziaca’ and ‘La Bella Dormente Nel Bosco’. Wells highlights include the Cathedral Platinum Jubilee Concert, ‘Serenade to Music’, Ralph Vaughan Williams, [soloist, bass-baritone], and the opera roles of Don Giovanni, Mozart, and Dr Bartolo in The Marriage of Figaro.
Notes:
Accompanied children under 15 are free.
Doors open at 6.45PM for a 7.30PM performance.
Bar available.
Ample parking on site, or 10 minutes walk from Rye train station and buses.
Running time 2 hours 10 minutes including a 20 minute interval.
Tickets:
To purchase tickets, please visit Barefoot Opera’s website here: https://barefootopera.com/shop/la-traviata-rye-creative-centre/.