Venus and Adonis: A Chamber Weekender Opera
CHAMBER WEEKENDER
Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August
St Barnabas Church, Pimlico, Belgravia SW1W 8PF
Directed by Scott Inglis-Kidger
John Blow (1649-1708) Venus and Adonis
"A Masque for the Entertainment of the King"
Desire, pursuit, and a fatal misjudgement: when Venus urges her lover to prove himself in the hunt, a fleeting moment of bravado sets in motion one of mythology’s most devastating endings. In this compact but beautifully crafted opera, love and loss unfold with striking directness. Across the weekend, we’ll explore this English Baroque opera in a collaborative format designed for confident singers craving something different. All roles are shared: no one sings alone, and solo moments are taken together in duets and small ensembles, creating a supportive and immersive experience for everyone involved. Our time together will combine focused rehearsal of each scene with light staging and thoughtfully shaped blocking (no extensive physical movement required), making use of different spaces within the church. The weekend will culminate in an informal performance to which friends and family are warmly invited, followed by a celebratory glass of fizz.
SCHEDULE
Friday 31st July
19:15 - Day 1 registration
19:30 - Session 1
21:00 - Prosecco welcome reception
Saturday 1st August
11:00 - Day 2 registration (refreshments included)
11:30 - Session 2
13:15 - Lunch (not included)
14:15 - Session 3
15:30 - Break (refreshments included)
16:00 - Session 4
17:00 onwards - Choir social time and optional choir dinner (dinner will be confirmed dependent on numbers)
Sunday 2nd August
14:30 - Day 3 registration
14:45 - Session 5
16:15 - Break (refreshments included)
16:45 - Informal sing-through (guests welcome)
17:30 - Prosecco closing reception
18:00 - End
SCORES
We will be using the Version 1 performing score (with some minor cuts) by Bruce Wood, published by Stainer & Bell. Please purchase your own copy HERE (N.B. there is a 5-6 day lead time for deliveries).
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