BREMF Early Opera
5 – 12 July 2021

Spend 8 days studying and rehearsing the earliest known opera written by a woman, leading to an experimental feature film to be shown as part of BREMF’s autumn season.

There will also be classes on ornamentation, poetic structure, verbal delivery and phrasing that applies to singers and instrumentalists alike. In addition, a workshop on making good videos will be invaluable to all participants.

This course is free and generous expenses will be paid, along with accommodation in Brighton for the entire period.

Roles for singers

Principals
Ruggiero – tenor (medium range, heroic style)
Alcina – soprano (good dramatic style)
Melissa – mezzo-soprano (countertenors considered)

Smaller roles – also providing wide range of choruses
Sirena & 1st Water Deity – soprano (agile)
Nunzia & 2nd Water Deity – soprano
1st Damigella – soprano
2nd Damigella – soprano
3rd Damigella & Female Monster – mezzo-soprano
(the 3 Damigelle sing a lot as a trio)
Female Enchanted Plant/Formerly Enchanted Lady – soprano
Fiume Vistola & Pastore – tenor
Male Enchanted Plant & 3rd Water Deity – tenor
Astolfo – tenor (very small role but multiple choruses)
Nettuno & Male Monster – baritone

Band

Oliver Webber leader
Claire Williams continuo lead

Vacancies for 2 violins (preferably doubling recorders), bass violin or cello (some continuo), violone, tenor viol, lirone, chitarrone, harp, keyboard.
4 sackbuts are required only for the enchanted plants scene so could be recorded in advance.