Cabinet of Doctor Caligari

On Wednesday this week I traveled back up to Glasgow so that I could start rehearsals on Friday 22nd July as a soloist for the Scottish Opera Connect Company. It was wonderful to meet up with the current members of the Company at the rehearsal space at Elmbank Crescent and start the preparations for Sunday’s performance.

ISME-glasgow-2016

This year they have been asked to showcase their work during the opening ceremony of the 32nd World Conference of the International Society for Music Education.  The event is taking place at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall tonight ( Sunday 24th July 2016 ) at 18:30 pm.  It is a fabulous venue, and I am thrilled to performing here again as part of such a fabulous occasion.

Glasgow Royal Concert Halls

 

Scottish Opera Connect Company comprises of the Connect Chorus, the Connect Orchestra, and Connect Stage management, which all provide valuable experience for young people between the ages of 14 and 21 in all aspects of Opera.  It is a fantastic program and one that I have been proud to be associated with.  For this event, they are showcasing the work that they do by performing a 15-minute excerpt from Scottish Opera’s “Cabinet of Doctor Caligari”.

The production was commissioned by Scottish Opera for the Connect Company and composed by Karen MacIver and librettist Allan Dunn.  The story, based on the 1920’s German silent horror movie “Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari”, relates a tale of murder, intrigue, and mayhem.

Das-Cabinet-des-Dr-Caligari-poster
The Poster From The 1920’s Film “Das Cabinet Des Dr. Caligari”
In this adaptation, we find the story set in Scotland and unfolds in Glasgow Green and within the Gartloch Asylum. Doctor Gallagher travels around the fairs and festivals using his somnambulist ( a great word for someone under a hypnotic trance ) called Cesare to commit evil murderous deeds.  At one of these fairs, my character ‘Jane’ is told by Cesare while he is in a hypnotic trance that her friend Ellen will die.  Following Ellen’s death Jane and her boyfriend Francis ( played by Glen Cunningham ) decide to investigate further but the whole experience tips Jane over the edge and with her sanity failing she is recommended to attend a doctor Caligari at the Gartloch Asylum. The story concludes as Doctor Caligari and his alter ego Doctor Gallagher are exposed as being one and the same person, and his murderous deeds are finally uncovered.

 

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Leah Duncan, Me, Glen Cunningham and Erin Spence

The whole production brought enthusiastically to life by the conductor, Chris Gray, and the director Julie Brown has been a wonderful experience to be a part of, and it has been a pleasure to work with them again.  The professionalism that they bring to these productions provides the members of the Connect Company a real taste of what it would be like to take to the stage as a professional performer.  Being asked to perform as a professional soloist alongside so many talented and enthusiastic young performers from the Connect Company has been an experience that I will cherish forever, and I will always be grateful to Scottish Opera for allowing me to be a small part of this empowering educational project.

Me And Glen Cunningham
Getting Ready

Here are some pictures with the members of the Connect Company.

With the staff backstage, Rose Ann, Laura McIntosh and in the bottom picture Jodie Mitchell with me and Sophie Holloway

Laura Macintosh and Me
Jodie Mitchell, Me and Sophie Holloway
Rose Ann and Me

Here a couple of pictures whilst we were on stage performing this evening taken by Ankna Arokiam 🙂

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I found out today that Nicky Spence, a patron of the Connect Company, set out from Glasgow on a sponsored cycle ride to London in aid of Help Musicians UK who carry out such tremendous work in helping to provide much-needed funding to selected musicians to assist in their studies and professional development.

53 thoughts on “Cabinet of Doctor Caligari”

  2. Sounds like you all had great fun, what a wonderful opportunity, and to be able to partake in a new work,and help others at the same time, sounds like paradise. Enjoy the rest of your holiday. Best wishes and blessings, Charles.

    Reply

      1. Hope that you can get the funds together in time, and try and enjoy the warmth and a bit of free time before studies begin. I used to go to the College of music quite often, as pre-prom talks were often held there, and I used to attend proms often. Stay well and best wishes Charles.

  7. Ooh, I can feel the goose bumps… I thought I recognized the title, or a portion of it, when i saw your post title. How remarkable that it was adapted into the form of an opera. Love that you are getting to experience such a variety of musical presentations. What an education you are receiving. And of course, there is always the joy those who are able to see you perform, experience. Win/win!! <3

    Reply

  11. That is pretty cool!

    It also proves that you should never let any scientist talk you into being injected with any untested serums nor should you let yourself be hypnotized during dubious circumstances!

    Reply

  16. Those are such fantastic photos Charlotte, you look beautiful. Somehow, every time I return here to your blog, there is something that takes my breath away with all your activities and this time, “a soloist for the Scottish Opera Connect Company” ~ incredible and congratulations. You are definitely making this the “Summer of Charlotte”. Wishing you well and keep it going 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thank you Randall 🙂 I have a second commission this week I try to keep busy then I’m back in Germany after a short trip earlier this week. Trying to stay on track.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  21. Welcome Back. You see, Glasgow has gotten to you and you can’t stay away The photographs were great and as usual, everyone looks like they are enjoying things.

    Reply

  24. Fabulous!!!
    Honestly, you are the most gorgeous looking person.
    This is not a rare incident. Your vivacity is desirable. – Resa x

    Reply

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