Aestas musica: Index

VARAZDIN, CROATIA
16th – 25th August 2013.

The courses will start at 4 p.m. on 16th August in Music School
The final performancee will be at 8 p.m. on 25th August in Croatian National Theatre

The Aestas Musica Summer School invites students and young professional musicians and dancers from all over the world to explore historically aware performance practices under the guidance of top international specialists, in the unique Baroque surroundings of Varazdin, Croatia.

HENRY PURCELL: THE FAIRY QUEEN
Libretto: THOMAS BETTERTON


	HENRY PURCELL Born in 1659, Henry Purcell was the finest and most original composer of his day. Unfortunately he was to live a very short life (he died in 1695) but he was able to enjoy flourishing in the period that followed the Restoration of the monarchy after the Puritan Commonwealth period and make full use of the renewed flowering of music. Purcell spent much of his short life in the service of the Chapel Royal as a composer, organist and singer. With considerable gifts as a composer, he wrote extensively for the stage, particularly in a hybrid musico-dramatic form of the time, for the church and for popular entertainment, a master of English word-setting and of contemporary compositional techniques for instruments and voices. He wrote music in a number of genres. His opera Dido and Aeneas (1689) is notable for achieving a high degree of dramatic intensity within a narrow framework. This he followed with the “semi-operas” King Arthur (1691), The Fairy Queen (1692), and The Indian Queen (1695). He also wrote much incidental music, some 250 songs, 12 fantasias for viol consort, and many anthems and services. He is regarded as the greatest English composer after William Byrd and before the 20th century.

	THE FAIRY QUEEN The Fairy-Queen was first performed on 2 May 1692 at the Queen's Theatre, Dorset Garden in London by the United Company. The author or at least co-author of the libretto was presumably Thomas Betterton, the manager of Dorset Garden Theatre, with whom Purcell worked regularly. This belief is based on an analysis of Betterton's stage directions.[2] A collaboration between several playwrights is also feasible.[3] Choreography for the various dances was provided by Josias Priest, who also worked on Dioclesian and King Arthur, and who was associated with Dido and Aeneas. A letter describing the original performance shows that the parts of Titania and Oberon were played by children of eight or nine.[4] Presumably other fairies were also played by children; this affects our perspective on the staging. Following the huge success of his operas Dioclesian (1690) and King Arthur (1691), Purcell composed The Fairy-Queen in 1692. The English tradition of semi-opera, to which The Fairy-Queen belongs, demanded that most of the music within the play be introduced through the agency of supernatural beings, the exception being pastoral or drunken characters. All the masques in The Fairy-Queen are presented by Titania or Oberon. Originally Act I contained no music, but due to the work's enormous success it was revived in 1693, when Purcell added the scene of the Drunken Poet and two further songs later on in the work.

	INSTRUMENTALISTS Previous experience in historical performance is not essential. We an assist string players by providing period bows and gut strings if needed. Modern oboe and flute players are welcome.

	VOICE Classes for students, singers pursuing professional careers and amateur singers. Participants who would like to perform as soloists at the final performance are welcome to prepare a picece of their own choice for an audition. There will be an opportunity for all course participants to take part in the choir performance at the Cathedral.

	DANCE Exploration of dances from European courts, from the Renaissance to the late Baroque. The course is open to professionals and amateur dancers, as well as musicians willing to find the roots of the music they often play. Please bring dance shoes.

CONCERTS AND FINAL PERFORMANCE All participants have the opportunity to perform solo and chamber works in public concerts. Participants will also take part in a semi-staged production of Henry Purcell " The Fairy Queen" at the Varazdin Baroque style theatre. Please bring clothing for the concert performances: Dark clothes or some nice dresses for girls / dark trousers and white shirts for boys. For the opera performance you will be outfitted in real costumes. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT TUTORS BY E-MAIL ABOUT PIECES FOR THE CONCERT PROGRAMMES.


Aestas Musica is a Registered UK Charity (No. 1063202)

design & hosting: Rosenthal