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Research at BPL -
03/02/2012
I recently spent two days at the Britten–Pears Library in Aldeburgh in order to look at archive material associated with the composition of Britten's opera 'Gloriana'. Among many fascinating documents, I was able to study Plomer's draft of the opera libretto, microfilm of Britten's composition draft, and Britten's own copy of Lytton Strachey's book 'Elizabeth and Essex'. The photo above shows a page of this book, with Britten's pencil marking in the left margin, highlighting a passage describing the character of the young Earl of Essex.
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Gloriana - Benjamin Britten -
24/01/2012
Britten composed his opera 'Gloriana' in 1953. Though this masterpiece was written to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, it is actually based on the life of Queen Elizabeth I. I am planning a series of 30-40 paintings of the whole opera, which I will be starting work on very shortly, and hope to exhibit during the Aldeburgh Festival in June 2013. 2013 will be an astonishingly exciting year: not only is it the 60th anniversary of 'Gloriana' but the centenary of Britten's birth (22 November 1913). There will be year-long celebrations and many performances of his works including a new production of 'Gloriana' at Covent Garden. I am thrilled to be taking part in these celebrations with this solo show.
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CIWF Fund-raising -
21/01/2012
I am trying to raise £2,000 for Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) by seeking sponsorship for my BIG FRIDGE SWITCH-OFF experiment. I am attempting to live without a fridge or freezer for the first six months of this year to support CIWF, and particularly their campaign for banning battery cages for laying hens.
Please visit my blog and fund-raising pages (links below). Any donation, however small or large, will be hugely appreciated.
My blog
My fund-raising page
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Wigmore Hall Christmas card -
21/01/2012
My card,'Wigmore Hall in Snow', was chosen as the Wigmore Hall Director's official Christmas card for 2011.
Wigmore Hall website
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Paintings at Glyndebourne -
09/10/2011
I'm very pleased to report that three quarters of my watercolours exhibited at Glyndebourne this season were sold. I'm now turning my thoughts towards paintings to celebrate the Britten centenary year in 2013. More news as plans develop...
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'Messiaen and Synaesthesia' -
03/03/2011
The film that I made in January 2008 is still up on the website of the Philharmonia Orchestra and is now also on YouTube. Lasting about 5 minutes, it is introduced by Peter Hill, Messiaen's biographer. To see the film, click on the first link below. The October podcast, of which the film forms the latter part, also features interviews with Sir Charles Mackerras and George Benjamin and can be viewed in its entirety by clicking the second link below.
Messiaen and Synaesthesia film
October podcast
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