From a young age, I have many happy and vivid memories of performing in front of audiences. I was always thrilled to know that I could tell a story through dance, music, singing, acting, or speaking to a group of people, both large and small. I felt lucky that for every performance a selection of the audience would always be my supportive family but it was always special when a stranger came up to me and commented on my performance, especially if I had a small role and they noticed my constant focus and smile. This is why on Monday I attended the LSSO (London Schools Symphony Orchestra) New Year Concert at the Barbican. The young orchestra is a collection of children aged 12-18, who have been selected following an audition process to participate in courses that culminate with a concert. On this occasion, the LSSO performed ‘Death and Transfiguration’ by Strauss. Following which the performers were joined by soprano Rachel Nichols to perform three orchestra songs by Strauss then the Brünnhilde solo’s in ‘Twilight of the Gods’ by Wagner. At the start of a new year, it was energising to watch these players because they bowed, plucked and breathed life into the music with sheer enjoyment and wild enthusiasm. Their playing enthused my practice with risk-taking and the goals of seeking fun. It is always important to remind yourself of these two aspects when making music – especially when constantly focusing on the technical aspects of my singing. I felt lucky to have seen this performance and I’m glad that I went. The LSSO is funded by the FYM ( the Foundation for Young Musicians ) which also funds the Centre for Young Musicians.
Last Friday I bought some ‘Friday Rush’ tickets from the Royal Opera House to attend their performance of the Nutcracker. Even though my ‘seat’ was standing, I was chuffed to have got the ticket as I remember watching several touring ballets as a child with my Mum. We would go for my birthday if the company came to our local hall. I loved the glitter, the extravagant tutus, and the impeccable footwork and I was not disappointed with the ROH’s performance.
The character Drosselmeyer, entered the children’s home in a vivid blue cape with gold decoration and a splash of glitter, each time he entered he would clap his hands together creating an explosion of glitter creating a golden cloud on the stage. It was so magical, the first time there was a mutual gasp of enjoyment from the audience! I loved it and now I want to enter every room with a glitter cloud! Although hoovering it up afterward could become a chore, haha. Every dancer jumped with elegance and occasionally humour across the stage. Each arm gesture flowed from shoulder to fingertip – inspiring my practice for musical phrasing. I wanted to imagine that the air danced away from my mouth like a Ballerina’s gesture and arm line. The King and Queen of Sweetie land had exquisite onstage chemistry; their movements were so in sync and slick you that they seemed conjoined!
I took so much personal enjoyment from the performance and many new ideas for my own work. It just shows you that sometimes looking at other genres and work can help inspire you and lift you forwards closer to your goals.
It’salwaysrefreshing to see that those coming up behind you are as eager and enthusiastic as you were, and remind yourself of what eenergised you then and can continue to lift you know. Plus it’s good to pay homage to the continuity of your art. Pay it back, in honour of those who paid it back to you.
This is very true Martin, it also allows you to keep up with modern teaching and learning styles. Now to learn how to clap gold glitter without it ending up in my eyes or mouth hehe.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Looks like a wonderful performance.
It was brilliant, it made me want to dance out of the Opera House 😊. If I hadn’t locked my knees standing for so long.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Ha haha.
That looks great!
Young performers fill me with awe, and when they are particularly young, with wonder and great admiration. I am currently star-struck with Alma Deutscher. For someone so young (born 2005) to have mastered piano, violin, and composing over disciplines from symphonic to opera is quite mind-boggling. Have you been exposed to/tried any of her vocal compositions?
I want to do a post about this extraordinary young lady soon.
No I haven’t heard of her but I’ll check her out online. I love working with new compositions and was always happy to help composers out at college vocally.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I am surprised that there is anyone connected with music in Britain who hasn’t heard of her. A complete genius. Her opera ‘Cinderella’ is challenging and different. I love the fact that the ‘slipper’ becomes a song. I can visualise you in one of the parts.
Wow great ! Very nice share, merci Charlotte ! J’espère un jour pouvoir faire Toi en solo avec projection de mes création comme décor – Wish you the best !!
Ce serait bien, je dois envoyer une partie de la nouvelle musique française que je chante.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I could feel the excitement and it took me back to the first time I heard a symphony, at age 7. Peter and the Wolf… enchanting
I had a video of Peter and the Wolf and loved it. Glad I brought back happy memories.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Looks like a brilliant show Charlotte, thank you for such a lovely post😘
Gill, have a think how do I do the glitter burst without getting it in my eyes or mouth hehe 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
Looked like a wonderful performance. I’m sure you gain experience from watching others perform. Hugs 😘
Thanks Janice, it was very spectacular, the dancing was always fabulous in my local hall, often with the most exquisite Russian dancers but they can’t match the entire spectacle of the Opera House.
All my best wishes Janice,
Charlotte
..Wow. Their movements seem so effortless. Another form of Art. I think this year, my focus is more on the Process instead of the Destination. I always focused so much on the Ending that the Present would drift away. However, the Process, the Learning, is just as important as the Accomplishment. You cannot have one without the other. I am inspired by your Work and your Passion and Dedication to your Work. Continue to find Balance in striving for Goals.
I was delighted to hear recently that something is being done about the gradual disappearance of ‘music’ from schools. Your experience is just one example of why it is important. I’m not quite sure how important it is for “every child leaving primary school should be able to read music” but I have no doubt that appreciating music is very important.
There was no ‘Friday rush’ in my day (I’d never heard of that before) but you took me back to my youth because I think every one of my visits to Covent Garden except one when I was young, for both opera and ballet, was standing. The one exception ‘inspired’ one of my short stories and even a chapter in a ‘novella’ in progress.
It was so wonderful the time passed quickly. I wish little Charlotte had got to the opera house to watch the ballet but whether I’d have been too fidgety to stand is another question. I remember my first time there that my parents took me for a birthday treat it was just magical I got a seat then too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Dear Charlotte,
Great experience for you in your work history. May the Lord continue to bless you my Beloved.
Thank you Rev. Tim I’ve been blessed with good friends this month willing to help me out which is quite special.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
The first production on stage I remember was the Nutcracker. There is something very special about seeing performers on stage rather than on the impersonal ‘big screen’.
So true, the atmosphere is just magical and the gasps of awe from the audience can’t really be experienced in the same way in the cinema but that is better than nothing at the same time.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks for the report…beautiful photos!
Thank you very much, the Royal Opera House have the most fabulous videos to share.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
From now on, lieber Charlotte, I shall imagine you surrounded by a cloud of glitter wherever you go.
Haha, absolutely, I’ve said above if I could figure out how to recreate this cloud of glitter when I come on stage without getting it in my eyes and mouth I will 😊.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
The Nutcracker is always a treat – we took our kids to see it when they were young.
Wonderful photos – I love the music, of course, but the dancing is fantastic!
The videos and pr material from the Royal Opera House is just magnificent. I adore Tchaikovsky ballets, I used to learn to ballet dance to his music and it was probably the first classical music I ever listened to on a regular weekly basis from around the age of 2 at ballet class we had a pianist in our lessons and it would be also the one time I got to see someone play music from a score.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Looked amazing Charlotte, How exciting it must have been xx
It was very exciting, I just wanted to join in and had itchy feet.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sounds like you had a great time, Charlotte. The pictures are wonderful!
Happy New Year to you and your family…..
Thank you Darlene, I hope that you had a good start to your New year too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful post. And the last paragraph especially sums it all up.
Thank you for reading Alex, I hope you’ve had a great start to the New Year.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Love the Nutcracker, just now to try and encourage David to see a ballet. Hope you are doing ok? x
Yes thank you Christine, Perhaps you could take him to a student presentation night in Liverpool as they sometimes just do tester scenes from different ballets to see which ones you like and in April this year you’ve got the fabulous Matthew Bourne bringing his contemporary dance production of Swan Lake to the Empire Theatre, one of my old school friends is in the cast the swans are all boys as a twist.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hey! I wrote an article about how to put your ideas into action. I think you would like it 🙂 take a look: https://motivatedmusiciandotblog.wordpress.com/2019/01/14/on-ideas/
Fabulous.Charlotte
A fab post, Charlotte! I adore the trailer w/ Sugar Plum Fairy & the clip of the Sugar Plum Prince.
You are smart to open yourself to inspiration from all areas of art.
One never knows where the ultimate inspiration will come from. ❦💐❦
I love all forms of art, design, dance, film and on and on you are so correct about inspiration coming from all avenues.