Red roses shower the Marriage of Figaro
Posted on Wednesday 8 February 2006
Red roses cascade onto the stage during the repeated curtain calls at a stunning and powerful produc
Red roses cascaded onto the stage during the repeated curtain calls at a stunning and powerful production of The Marriage of Figaro staged by Farnborough Sixth Form College students last week. The power of voices matured well beyond their years, wonderful acting, and clever set design held audiences, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Rushmoor, spellbound at the two productions.
Figaro was played by 17 year old Stephen Willey, of Farnborough. His strong baritone voice and his great stage presence set a standard reached by all the players. The charming and coquettish Susanna, played brilliantly by 16 year old soprano, Helen Lewis of Farnham, tantalised Figaro and his employer, Count Almaviva, whose interpretation by 18 year old baritone, Matthew Stone of Farnborough, was mature, confident and sensitive. Soprano Sarah Crabtree, 16, of Farnborough, as Countess Almaviva, filled the auditorium with her stunning voice and wonderful poignant portrayal of a woman-wronged, in this story of love, lust, intrigue and jealousy.
Supporting players whose voices and presence matched the principals were Guy Naylor, 16, of Ascot, Peter O’Neill, 17, of Bracknell, Charlotte Harwood, 18 of Farnborough, Josh Bolton, 16, of Wokingham, Emily Grieve, 17, of Crowthorne, Frances Hiscock, 17, of North Warnborough, Matthew Harman, 16, of Wokingham and Mari Hunter, 18, of Hartley Wintley.
The production was the brainchild of Director of Music at the College, Paul Bambrough. His musicianship, enthusiasm and ambitious expectation had infected the young players whom he had trained since the beginning of the Autumn term. The students had visited Glyndebourne to discuss the production with professional operatic singers and he included a master-class for the students with international singing coach, Ian Baar. Mr Bambrough said, “This work is extremely demanding and many more experienced singers have fallen foul of its challenges – I am immensely proud of the achievements of this young cast”.
County Councillor Mrs Pat Devereux who attended the opening night said, “I have been to operatic productions from London to Milan but rarely have I seen such quality of singing, acting and professionalism. I congratulate the College”.
Speaking to the audience after the production, Cllr John Marsh, Mayor of Rushmoor, said, “How lucky we are to have in the Borough such an outstanding sixth form college; my congratulations to the students and staff for such a wonderful evening”.
Principal Dr John Guy said, “I am in awe of the achievements of these wonderful students. I could pay £50 for a ticket in Covent Garden and not experience such high standards!”
