Singing for physical and mental health
The pandemic has savaged the arts and I am very concerned for the future, but there is some consolation in the opportunity to teach again. To be able to pass on what I have learned from some of the country’s best teachers. That this might help with health and morale is a precious added bonus.
In the programme Breathe English National Opera has concluded that singing could play a key part in helping to improve breathing and general wellbeing.
A singing teacher’s job is to spot and remove bad habits. My Professor at the Royal Academy of Music stressed that improving singing is about ‘taking away the mess’. If singing looks easy and natural it usually sounds it. Whether a total beginner, someone who sings in a choir, or you have ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ aspirations, you can improve.
Nothing compares to being in a room together, but the subtleties of good singing can be taught online. The wide range of people I am teaching are improving and most importantly enjoying the lessons
Lessons online make it possible for us to connect from wherever we are in the world from the comfort of our own homes. I’m working individually and in groups with singers online here in Wiltshire and also currently in Yorkshire, Scotland, Germany, Barbados and the USA.
Contact philip@londonfestival.co.uk
www.philipblake-jones.com
What entertainment for your Christmas Party?
UncategorisedOpera could be the perfect entertainment your Christmas Party, whether a private, corporate or charity event. London Festival Opera works with a client to create the perfect programme combining celebrated opera and operetta and hits from musicals. The company specialises in programmes of passion, drama, humour and audience interaction. What better way to end a party than all singing a well-known Christmas carol together? People love to sing and join the soloists in a rousing vocal finale to the evening.
The Pearlfishers’ Duet
UncategorisedThe celebrated duet sung by the characters Zurga and Nadir in Bizet’s opera ‘The Pearlfishers’ is one of the most popular and loved pieces in opera – hence it is one of the most regularly requested. The duet’s soaring melodies, emotional depth, and the way it captures the essence of friendship and romantic longing have contributed to its enduring appeal. Its popularity has led to it being recognized outside the opera world and it has been featured in films including ‘Gallipoli’ when the captain plays the piece on his gramophone as a last glimpse of civilisation the evening before the final brutal offensive. Listen to London Festival Opera perform the duet at La Fenice in Venice: ‘Au fond du temple saint’ (The Pearlfishers – Bizet_ – London Festival Opera at La Fenice in Venice – YouTube
Opera at the Movies – a new performance!
UncategorisedLondon Festival Opera is presenting a new programme – ‘A Night at the Movies’.
Opera is known for its ability to evoke intense emotions. By featuring opera in films, directors can tap into the emotional power of the music and performances to deepen the audience’s connection with the characters and their stories. The soaring melodies and passionate singing can evoke a wide range of emotions, adding an extra layer of emotional depth to the film. Classic movies such as ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘A Room with a view’, ‘Fatal Attraction’, ‘Mission Impossible’, ‘Gallipoli’, ‘The Father’, ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’, ‘Philadelphia’, ‘Shawshank Redemption’, ‘Quartet’, ‘Atonement’, ‘Godfather III’, ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ and ‘Mr Bean’s Holiday’ all feature some of the greatest opera ever written.
The Passion in Handel Operas
UncategorisedMost people may think of ‘Messiah’ and other sacred works when they consider Handel. It may surprise you to link Handel operas (from the Baroque period of the 18th century) with the word ‘passion’. Those who already have heard performances of Semele, Giulio Cesere, Rinaldo, Rodelinda, Ariodante, Alcina and Acis and Galathea (the list goes on and on) can appreciate the drama, humanity, passion and dramatic expression in the arias and ensemble of this great opera composer. If you would like to give just on aria a go, try ‘Dopo notte’ from Ariodante, here sung by the legendry Dame Janet Baker (sheer joy!) (4) Handel: Ariodante, HWV 33 / Act 3 – “Dopo notte, atra e funesta” – YouTube and ‘Lasci ch’io pianga’ from Rinaldo here in the Italian film ‘Farinelli’ the great castrato. Handel spent much of his life in London and his house in Brook Street is well worth a visit Handel & Hendrix in London – Handel House (handelhendrix.org) English Touring Opera and currently performing Giulio Cesere accross the UK Giulio Cesare | English Touring Opera
Lesley Manville – Desert Island Discs
Festivals, Opera, Opera Magic, Special EventsThe Actress Lesley Manville created a really special Desert Island Discs including opera. She revealed that as a girl classical singing was an important part of her life and that she could have perhaps chosen an operatic career. Had she done so, we would have been deprived of one of the country’s most accomplished performers. She played W S Gilbert’s life very touchingly in Mike Leigh film ‘Topsy Turvey’. Her Desert Island Discs is well worth listening to and still available on the BBC BBC Radio 4 – Desert Island Discs, Lesley Manville, actor
Memories of singing for Her Majesty The Queen
UncategorisedOver the years it has been an honour to perform for many members of the Royal Family at private and charity occasions. The most special and memorable must be a private and intimate occasion in Windsor in the presence of The Queen – so intimate that there were corgis at our feet. One barked during the rendition of Papageno’s aria – the baritone knelt down and serenaded the dog, which The Queen loved. Rest in deserved peace your Most Gracious Majesty.
Singing again!
Arts Festivals, Events, Festivals, Opera, Opera Gala, Opera MagicIt has been a very challenging 18th months for performers or all kinds – some normality seems to be returning to our profession as we proceed with caution and start planning performances. Philip Blake-Jones (Baritone and Artistic Director of London Festival Opera) had the opportunity to sing last week at a charity event in an delightful garden in the Cathedral Close of Salisbury.
The surprise ‘burst of opera’ included Papageno’s Aria from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’. The sunny day, trees and colourful flower beds provided the perfect enchanting setting!
Here’s to the future and the return of live performances of all kinds!
Opera Choruses – with the Self Isolation Choir
Events, Opera, Opera for SchoolsCovid 19 has had a profound impact on the arts generally, particularly live music. Some normality is returning but we seem far away from complete freedom from restrictions. It is possible that things will not be as they were for a considerable time and that the online concepts, such as Zoom Opera Galas and Online Choirs, will remain a vital option for music making of all kinds.
The Self Isolation Choir is a pioneering company – they presented their first mass ‘Messiah’ with a chorus of nearly 4,000 singers and instrumentalists from 35 different countries last year – and now continues to develop and offer choral experiences in many new areas. The SIC now moves into the world of grand opera with their https://www.theselfisolationchoir.com/opera-choruses and London Festival Opera is thrilled to be involved in this new project of five celebrated choruses from the operas of Verdi, Bizet and Puccini. Philip Blake-Jones has worked with four of his most talented soloists creating the rehearsal tracks to teach and inspire the international choristers, as well as the piano track which is the fundamental foundation of the whole musical creation. The rehearsal and concert will be under the baton of the very talented Ben England, who received the BEM in HM The Queen’s Honours marking his leadership in this new virtual creative world. Additionally, the course will include the expert contribution of Donald Palumbo the Chorus Master from New York’s Metropolitan Opera New. The Self Isolation Choir has once again assembled and impressive creative team!
Host a Zoom Opera Party for a birthday or other celebration
Anniversary Parties, Birthday Parties, Charity Events, Events, Opera Gala, Private Events, Special EventsWe are still in the midst of lockdown limitations, but let’s look at what we can do in these times rather than what we can’t. It certainly seems that being able to go to the opera or present opera at a party is still some way off.
A client of ours wanted to do something operatic to celebrate a special birthday. The guests were in Israel, London, Kent and Oxford, but in these times of lockdown that is not an issue. A Zoom Opera Gala was the perfect solution.
Our Artistic Director turned up at the Zoom party in black tie resulting in some surprise. ‘Who is this?’ exclaimed the guest of honour. All was revealed and we created an opera celebration using wonderful footage from past performances with live spoken links. The result was magical with guests swaying to the rousing music and applauding enthusiastically.
The client now has a movie of the event as a memento of a wonderful party.
A Zoom Opera Party could be a useful option to anywhere in the world even after lockdown!?
Client comments:
What a truly super occasion! We all loved it so much, and as usual you were an incomparable master of ceremonies.
I cannot thank you enough for the excellent performance combined with your presence in person and the entertaining commentary which made it all so special and memorable.
The guest of honour really loved it and it was a joy to see her surprise and the sheer pleasure as she enjoyed the event.
Online Singing Teaching Worldwide!
OperaSinging for physical and mental health
The pandemic has savaged the arts and I am very concerned for the future, but there is some consolation in the opportunity to teach again. To be able to pass on what I have learned from some of the country’s best teachers. That this might help with health and morale is a precious added bonus.
In the programme Breathe English National Opera has concluded that singing could play a key part in helping to improve breathing and general wellbeing.
A singing teacher’s job is to spot and remove bad habits. My Professor at the Royal Academy of Music stressed that improving singing is about ‘taking away the mess’. If singing looks easy and natural it usually sounds it. Whether a total beginner, someone who sings in a choir, or you have ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ aspirations, you can improve.
Nothing compares to being in a room together, but the subtleties of good singing can be taught online. The wide range of people I am teaching are improving and most importantly enjoying the lessons
Lessons online make it possible for us to connect from wherever we are in the world from the comfort of our own homes. I’m working individually and in groups with singers online here in Wiltshire and also currently in Yorkshire, Scotland, Germany, Barbados and the USA.
Contact philip@londonfestival.co.uk
www.philipblake-jones.com