The MAGIC of Opera

To brighten the gloom and bring some much needed joy to music-lovers, GS Wines and Beacon Italy present The Magic of Opera - a gala concert featuring our highly talented cast of singers and pianist, who will perform much loved operatic arias and classical songs, including many by the great Italian composers.

Attendees can be assured that GS Wines take the safety and security of our performers and audience very seriously. The measures will all comply with government guidelines to ensure Covid-19 security for all guests, performers and staff. (See reference to guidelines below) [Please see our 'Updates' section for news on Covid-19 security measures and on updates about our event.]

Join us for a unique evening of music and arias celebrating the magic of Opera in evoking raw human emotions - and look forward to an evening of sensual enchantment!

We are delighted to present Italian soprano Francesca Matta, who posseses excellent technique and beautiful voice, and who has performed many of the great soprano roles in Italian opera. Our tenor for the evening is Roberto Abate, whose gloriously rich, powerful voice can deliver thrills with his rendering of the big tenor arias. They along with mezzo-soprano Emily Kyte, a young emerging talent, will draw you into a magical operatic world of passionate emotional highs with their glorious voices and superb technique as they perform arias from the greatest operas and much-loved songs - accompanied on the Grand piano by highly accomplished collaborative pianist Caroline Jaya-Ratnam!

Featuring arias from best loved operas such as Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart), Madame Butterfly, Turandot, La Bohème (Puccini), Aida (Verdi) and wonderful classical songs including Italian lieder (such as those by Sir Paolo Tosti), this concert will be a treat for music lovers and opera lovers in particular!

Arias expected to feature in the concert include:

• 'Viens, Mallika… Dôme épais le jasmin' (The Flower Song) from Lakmé by Léo Delibes (soprano/mezzo duet)
• 'Un bel di Vedremo' (One Fine Day) from Madame Butterfly by Puccini soprano solo)
• 'Recondita Armonia' from La Tosca by Puccini(tenor solo)
• O Soave Fanciulla from La Bohème by Puccini (soprano/tenor duet)
• 'Nessun dorma' from Turandot by Puccini (tenor solo)

and many more! (NB. Music programme on the evening is subject to confirmation)

Additionally, we will have the pleasure of live classical music performed by the Piano Trio comprising Stephen Bryant (violin), Mark Sheridan (cello) and Caroline Jaya-Ratnam (piano)!

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What a member of our audience said about one of our concerts ['Love, Betrayal, Death' (in Opera)] (20th October 2018): "What a successful and wondrous evening you gave us – many thanks.  I was delighted to see a packed church and those singers certainly deserved the standing ovation."

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To round off the evening, why not take advantage of Putney Pantry's special 'Opera Gala' 3-course dinner specially designed for our concert-goers - for only £27.50 per head* (N.B. this is payable at the restaurant and not included in the ticket price). Putney Pantry is a cafe and restaurant run by chef Isso Cissokho, located right next to St. Mary's Church.

UPDATES

Monday 14th December 2020

Announcement of Tier 3 Lockdown It has been announced that Greater London will be moved into Tier 3 lockdown from 1 minute past midnight on Wednesday 16th December 2020 - the day that our concert is scheduled, and sadly, which now cannot happen because of Tier 3 restrictions. We are very sorry about this development and of course very disappointed by this - but at the same time, recognise that these are very difficult times and we have all to follow the Covid-safety guidance for the greater public good. We will be contacting everyone who has booked tickets about the way forward, which include options for a refund or deferment to a re-scheduled concert. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Tuesday 1st December 2020

Italian Wines We are pleased to confirm that, following the latest Government guidelines (issued 30th November), we will be able to serve our wines to ticketholders at their seats during our concert! According to guidance from The Department of Health & Social Care: "In cinemas, theatres, concert halls and sports stadia, alcohol can be ordered at a bar to be consumed when seated in the auditorium or area where the screening/performance is taking place. This should be limited to only those with tickets." [See reference below]

Thursday 26th November 2020

As has been announced by the Government, at the end of the 2nd national lockdown in England, London will enter into the 'Tier 2' level of restrictions. Our indoor concert can go ahead (in a COVID-secure manner) on the 16th December.

Please note that the new rules state that "hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals" - which could mean that refreshments during the concert can only be non-alcoholic. We are currently looking into this. (Ticketholders will be contacted individually to update on options.) Please note that we will assume that alcohlic drinks cannot be served at the concert until we can confirm otherwise.

Monday 23rd November 2020

As has been announced by the UK Goverment today, national lockdown for England will end on 2nd December 2020, and the country will enter into a strengthened ('re-vamped') 3-tier system of restrictions from 3rd December 2020. The tier level for each region will be announced this Thursday. We anticipate that London will return to Tier-2 in which case we would expect that our concert on Wednesday 16th December will go ahead as planned (subject to operating under rules to ensure Covid-19 security).

Saturday 21st November 2020

Putney Pantry's Special 'Operatic Dinner' Chef Issa Cissokho of Putney Pantry will be presenting a special 3-course dinner for concert-goers - at only £27.50 - choice of starter, main course and dessert PLUS a free glass of wine courtesy of GS Wines! Please see details of the offer and menu choices below (these remain the same as previously offered).

Monday 16th November 2020

Concert Post-national lockdown On Thursday 5th November, England entered into the first day of a month-long second national lockdown - which is a public health emergency measure, implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This national lockdown will end on Wednesday 2nd December 2020, after which we expect we would return to the 3-Tier system of restrictions. Under the tier system, we anticipate that indoor live performances can be resumed (subject to rules to ensure Covid-19 security). This event, planned to take place on Wednesday 16th December, will be a new presentation of 'The Magic of Opera 2020'!

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St Mary’s Church Putney Pantry “OPERATIC DINNER NIGHT”*

Wednesday 16th December 3 courses £27.50 on pre-order only

*Special Offer post-concert Dinner at Putney Pantry for £27.50 - choice of starter, main course and dessert PLUS a free glass of wine courtesy of GS Wines! Dinner guests - please pre-order your meal (starter, main and dessert) to assist planning by the chef and restaurant staff.

Starters

Diver caught scallop and seafood gratin

Game terrine, onion jam, grilled bread

Caramelised onion and goat cheese tart, walnut and chicory salad

Mains

Osso Bucco, risotto Milanese (saffron risotto), gramolata

Portuguese Bacalao, steamed vegetables, black olive aioli

Forge farm organic pumpkin stuffed with wild mushroom risotto, seasonal greens, parmesan tuile

Dessert

Poire belle Hélène

Poached pear, vanilla ice cream, hot chocolate sauce

Glazed lemon tart, honey crème fraiche

Stilton and cheddar cheese board, chutney and oat crackers

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Tel: 0208 789 1137

info@putneypantry.com

St Mary's Church Putney High street London SW15 1SN

EVENT TIMETABLE

17:00 Arrival - allow time for quick registration and seating + Welcome glass of non-alcoholic beverage

17:30 Concert starts - first part - 45 mins

18:15 Short intermission (15 min) Refreshments served

18:30 Concert 2nd Part - 45 mins

19:15 End

[Total concert time including Intermission approx. 1 hour 45 mins]

TICKET TYPES

ADULT £37.50* entitles ticket holder to socially distanced seating (operated according to current Covid-19 security rules), refreshements, packed snack + concert programme booklet.

Concession: childen under age of 18 years, accompanied by adult, £7.50* per cihld.

*plus Service fee

Reference

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - Performing Arts

From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Published: 11 May 2020 Updated: 30 November 2020

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Tier 2: High alert What you can and cannot do in an area in Tier 2 of local restrictions.

From: Department of Health and Social Care Published 30 November 2020

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Local restriction tiers: what you need to know

From: Department of Health and Social Care Published 23 November 2020 Last updated 30 November 2020

Artists' Biographies

Italian soprano Francesca Matta graduated in opera singing at the Conservatorio di Musica G.P.L. da Palestrina and continued her vocal studies with renowned international artists such as Giusy Devinu and Bernadette Manca di Nissa. Over the years she performed, both in Italy and UK, roles such as Tosca; Cio Cio San, Madama Butterfly; Gilda, Rigoletto; Mimí, La Bohème; Elisabetta, Maria Stuarda; Contessa, Le Nozze di Figaro; Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni; Fiordiligi, Così fan Tutte. In 2021 Francesca will make her debut as Violetta in La Traviata with Regents Opera.

Emily Kyte is a London born mezzo soprano with training from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the ENO OperaWorks Programme. Her operatic roles include Papagena Opera på Skäret, Idamante (cover) English Touring Opera, The King (The Queen’s Lace Handkerchief) Opera della Luna, Zulma (cover) (L’Italiana in Algeri) Garsington Opera, Hansel (Hansel und Gretel) and Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors) Opera Anywhere. Her concert credits include a Gilbert & Sullivan gala concert at the Chichester Festival entitled ‘Tarantara!’ conducted by Martin Handley; the female solo quartet for Schubert’s ‘Das Paradies und die Peri’ with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and broadcast on BBC Radio; and the mezzo-soprano solo for Stravinsky’s ‘Pulcinella’ with the London Schools Symphony Orchestra at Barbican Hall. She has performed as a soloist in concert at the Wigmore Hall and at Cadogan Hall. In summer 2020 Emily had been scheduled to play the role of the Owl and cover the role of the Fox in Janacek’s ‘The Cunning Little Vixen’ for Longborough Festival Opera.

Perth born Roberto Abate recently made his European debut in Holland as Don José for the International Bel Canto Academy in conjunction with Opera Noord-Holland-Noord. He also performed with WA Opera from 2006 to 2010 as a principal artist, playing Nemorino (L’elisir D’amore), Harry (La Fanciulla del West), Beppe (I Pagliacci), and covered Don Jose and Nadir. In 2010, Roberto appeared as soloist in the West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s Gala Concert with Sumi Jo. As recipient of the Australian International Opera Awards scholarship, Roberto trained at the Wales International Academy of Voice, 2012. In the UK, numerous roles have included Canio (I Pagliacci )(Opera North) Don José (Carmen)(The Grange Festival, Opera-Up-Close), Riccardo (Un Ballo in Maschera)(Bury Port Opera), Rodolfo (La Boheme)(Regents Opera/King’s Head Theatre) and Gherardo (Gianni Schicchi )(Fulham Opera).

Following her Masters degree (Cambridge University) Caroline Jaya-Ratnam was appointed Junior Fellow at the Royal College of Music. Television appearances have included accompanying world renowned opera singers inclduing tenor, Rolando Villazon, baritone Bryn Terfel and soprano Danielle de Niese. She has appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in numerous Proms as part of the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Accomplished concert pianist, accompanist, violinist and singer Caroline was awarded her Masters degree in music (Cambridge University). She has appeared on TV accompanying world renowned opera singers and she has appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in numerous Proms as part of the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Our PIANO TRIO for the evening comprises Stephen Bryant (Leader) and Mark Sheridan (Cellist) of the world-renowned BBC Symphony Orchestra and prize-winning pianist Caroline Jaya-Ratnam (see her bio above).

How to get to there

St Mary’s Church is next to the river at the southern end of Putney Bridge. It is in a controlled parking zone, so we recommend you come by public transport.

Putney is very well-served by buses, tubes, and the rail network.

By Bus:  Many bus routes go through Putney. Here are a few useful ones:

From Piccadilly Circus to Putney Common, take a number 22

From Hyde Park Corner to Putney High Street, take a number 14

From Oxford Street to Putney High Street, take a number 74.

Other routes include 220, 270, 424, 430, & 485 [stops outside of the church]

By Tube:  Take the District Line to Putney Bridge station on the Wimbledon branch, and then simply walk south over Putney Bridge, (5mins walk) or to East Putney station and walk west along the Upper Richmond Road and then north down Putney High Street to Putney Bridge (15mins walk).

By Rail:  Very frequent trains from London Waterloo, via Clapham Junction, to Putney Rail station. From Putney Rail station there are fairly frequent trains to Richmond, Hounslow and out towards Windsor. Walk north down Putney High Street (5mins walk)