T H E GRAN GE F E S T I VA L 2024
DA NC E AT T H E GR A NGE June | 6
L’ INC ORONA Z ION E DI P OPPE A Claudio Monteverdi June | 7 14 16 20 22
T O S CA Giacomo Puccini June | 8 15 21 26 30
T H E R A K E ’ S PRO GR E S S Igor Stravinsky June | 23 27
July | 4 6
A F R ENC H SA L ON Jazz at The Grange June | 28 29
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W EL C OM E
High drama, great music, joy and sadness, exhilarating images – these are some of the qualities we intend to create when we plan a new season for The Grange Festival. Many of you who came in this high summer of 2023 told us that we achieved many or all of these. Laurels can never be rested upon, however, and we now look forward to 2024 with even loftier hopes to hit the heights we all desire. I’m often asked “Michael, which is your personal favourite?”, and the truthful answer is “all of them”. Each inhabits its own world and is separate from the other. We hope to do justice to each on its own terms, with a strong sense of context and insight. Three great operas, a new original jazzy take on a medley of French chansons with a star chanteuse, and a Dance event to be announced as soon as we have certainty.
We open with the original soap opera, L’incoronazione di Poppea, an instant hit in Venice’s 1643 carnival season and now a big draw in opera houses the world over, Claudio Monteverdi’s hilarious and heartwrenching tale of imperial lust both for power and each other. The triumphant final duet Pur ti miro is a summation of the outrageous shenanigans which have delighted and shocked us from the start. The brilliant newish kids on the block La Nuova Musica are very welcome newcomers in the pit. Puccini’s searing opera Tosca has been staple fare since it first electrified its Roman audience in 1900. Its explosive orchestral opening lifts us off our seats and we remain airborne. We welcome back the same winning directorial team who gave us Falstaff in 2019 together with a distinguished international cast.
We complete our operatic trio with WH Auden and Igor Stravinsky’s seminal take on William Hogarth’s London morality tale, The Rake’s Progress, as depicted in his eight engravings and paintings of contemporary London life. Familiar cast names abound in our new production by the acclaimed designer/ director Antony McDonald. Our resident Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra again shines at the heart of the Festival. I fervently hope that there is something here for you. Quality and variety are our watchwords. May I quietly urge you to spread the word and come in numbers? We will welcome you wholeheartedly and give you an evening you won’t forget. See you next summer.
Michael Chance CBE
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L’ INC ORONA Z ION E DI P OPPE A Claudio Monteverdi Music Claudio Monteverdi Librettist Giovanni Francesco Busenello Orchestra La Nuova Musica
PRODU C T ION T E A M Conductor Director Designer Lighting Design
David Bates Walter Sutcliffe Jon Bausor Wolfgang Göbbel
CA S T Poppea/Fortuna Drusilla/Amore Ottavia/Virtu Ottone Nero Seneca Nutrice Arnalta/Famigliare 1 Soldato 1/Lucano/Famigliari 2 Soldato 2/Liberto Mercurio/Famigliari 3
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Kitty Whately Vanessa Waldhart Anna Bonitatibus Christopher Lowrey Raffaele Pe Jonathan Lemalu Fiona Kimm Frances Gregory Gwilym Bowen Jorge Navarro Colorado Armand Rabot
“I gaze on you. I relish you. I embrace you. I enchain you”
Love conquers all in ancient Rome. The baddies win, the goodies are banished or killed. Social advancement and power politics govern Monteverdi’s soap opera: the first great work of baroque musical theatre. A stellar international cast includes the return to The Grange Festival of Italian stars Anna Bonitatibus (Il ritorno d’Ulisse and Agrippina) as the rejected empress Ottavia, and Raffaele Pe (Agrippina and Tamerlano) as Nero. Another Grange Festival favourite, Kitty Whately, is Poppea. And we welcome acclaimed American counter-tenor Christopher Lowrey as Ottone, Festival favourite New Zealand bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu as Seneca and the popular Austrian soprano Vanessa Waldhart as Drusilla. The groundbreaking instrumental ensemble La Nuova Musica is led by David Bates. Our new production, in partnership with Oper Halle, will be created by director Walter Sutcliffe and designer Jon Bausor, the team whose brilliant Agrippina at The Grange Festival in 2018 caused such a stir.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles June | 7 14 16 20 22
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T O S CA Giacomo Puccini Music Giacomo Puccini Libretto Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa Orchestra Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
PRODU C T ION T E A M Conductor Director Designer Lighting Design
Francesco Cilluffo Christopher Luscombe Simon Higlett Mark Jonathan
CA S T Tosca Cavaradossi Scarpia Angelotti Spoletta Sciarrone Sacristan
Francesca Tiburzi Andrés Presno Andrew Manea Dan D’Souza Vladimir-Mihai Sima Stuart Orme Darren Jeffery
“I have lived for art, I have lived for love”
We are delighted to welcome back the team who gave us Verdi’s Falstaff in 2019 for Puccini’s searing masterpiece: conductor Francesco Cilluffo, director Christopher Luscombe and designer Simon Higlett. Tosca pulsates with dramatic tension like few other operas. Puccini’s score curdles the blood. Italian soprano Francesca Tiburzi has thrilled audiences worldwide with her eulogised portrayal of the central role: she sings the role for the first time in the UK at The Grange. We heard the wonderful young Uruguayan tenor Andrés Presno as Malcolm in Verdi’s Macbeth in 2022. He returns here as Cavaradossi. And fast rising Romanian-American baritone Andrew Manea sings Scarpia for the first time at The Grange.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles June | 8 15 21 26 30
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T H E R A K E ’ S PRO GR E S S Igor Stravinsky Music Igor Stravinsky Librettists WH Auden and Chester Kallman Orchestra Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
PRODU C T ION T E A M Conductor Director/Designer Movement Director Lighting Designer
Tom Primrose Antony McDonald Lucy Burge Wolfgang Göbbel
CA S T Tom Rakewell Anne Trulove Nick Shadow Baba the Turk Father Trulove Sellem Mother Goose Keeper of the Madhouse
Adam Temple-Smith Alexandra Oomens Michael Mofidian Rosie Aldridge Darren Jeffery John Graham-Hall Catherine Wyn-Rogers Armand Rabot
“For idle hands and hearts and minds the devil finds a work to do A work, dear Sir, fair Madam, for you and you and you” Igor Stravinsky saw William Hogarth’s set of eight 18th century paintings and engravings of London life and created an innovative opera on them. WH Auden and Chester Kallman’s poetic English libretto resonates with the speech and danger of those London streets. The Rake’s Progress is a devastating morality play, packed with wit, satire, high comedy, and tragedy. It dances on a pin of laughter and ridicule. Stravinsky’s score is a modern Mozart opera, infused with delicious parody and celebration of the earlier genius’ music. This new production will be created by the celebrated prize-winning director/ designer Antony McDonald. Tom Primrose, our 2023 chorus master, conducts. The cast is a roll-call of British stars. Emerging tenor Adam Temple-Smith and Alexandra Oomens, critically praised as Euridice and Belinda in our 2023 Double Bill, sing the young lovers Tom Rakewell and Anne Trulove. Scottish/Iranian bass-baritone Michael Mofidian is Nick Shadow, Rosie Aldridge Baba the Turk, Catherine Wyn-Rogers Mother Goose and John Graham-Hall the Auctioneer, Sellem. Tears of laughter and sadness will flow in equal measure.
Sung in English with surtitles June | 23 27
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July | 4 6
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with Cécile McLorin Salvant and Dan Tepfer featuring Thomas Enhco and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
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A F R ENC H SA L ON Jazz at The Grange Orchestra Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
PRODU C T ION T E A M Creative Director Piers Playfair and Producer Producer Frankie Parham
M U S IC I A N S Vocals Cécile McLorin Salvant Pianist Dan Tepfer Guest Pianist Thomas Enhco
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent” Victor Hugo
A French Salon showcases the spectacular artistry of multi-awardwinning US jazz musicians – singer Cécile McLorin Salvant and pianist Dan Tepfer – as they explore their French heritage over two unforgettable nights at The Grange Festival. Produced by 23Arts for the Festival, the show will also feature special guest pianist Thomas Enhco and the much-loved Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. A ravishing array of music will be performed, including chansons made famous by Édith Piaf, Barbara and Josephine Baker. Highlights of this exceptional event will be the world première of a specially commissioned song cycle written for Cécile by Dan, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, and a show-stopping finale of new orchestral arrangements featuring Jacques Brel’s Ne me quitte pas and Édith Piaf’s Mon Dieu. Cécile McLorin Salvant is the recipient of numerous prestigious accolades, including three GRAMMY® awards, the Glenn Gould Protégé Prize and a MacArthur Genius Grant. The late operatic soprano Jessye Norman described her as “a unique voice supported by an intelligence and full-fledged musicality, which light up every note she sings”. Dan Tepfer has worked with some of the leading lights in jazz and classical music, from Lee Konitz to Renée Fleming. His honours include first prizes at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition and the American Pianists Association Jazz Piano Competition. He also earned global acclaim for his album Goldberg Variations / Variations, described by New York Magazine as “elegant, thoughtful and thrilling”.
June | 28 29
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DA NC E AT T H E GR A NGE Dance at The Grange is back for 2024.
Save the date June | 6 Full details to follow…
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CA LEN DA R 2024
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JUNE
Date
Site
Start
Finish
DANCE AT THE GRANGE
Thursday 6 June
15:00
17:00
20:40
L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA
Friday 7 June
15:00
17:00
21:25
TOSCA
Saturday 8 June
15:00
17:00
20:40
L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA
Friday 14 June
15:00
17:00
21:25
TOSCA
Saturday 15 June
15:00
17:00
20:40
L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA
Sunday 16 June
15:00
17:00
21:25
L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA
Thursday 20 June
15:00
17:00
21:25
TOSCA
Friday 21 June
15:00
17:00
20:40
L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA
Saturday 22 June
15:00
17:00
21:25
JUNE (CONTINUED)
Date
Site
Start
Finish
THE RAKE’S PROGRESS
Sunday 23 June
15:00
17:00
21:05
TOSCA
Wednesday 26 June
15:00
17:00
20:40
THE RAKE’S PROGRESS
Thursday 27 June
15:00
17:00
21:05
A FRENCH SALON
Friday 28 June
15:00
17:00
20:40
A FRENCH SALON
Saturday 29 June
15:00
17:00
20:40
TOSCA
Sunday 30 June
15:00
17:00
20:40
THE RAKE’S PROGRESS
Thursday 4 July
15:00
17:00
21:05
THE RAKE’S PROGRESS
Saturday 6 July
15:00
17:00
21:05
JULY
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F E S T I VA L F R I EN D S
Our Festival Friends are lovers of opera, music, and dance who want to see world-class performing arts flourish at The Grange. Donations from our annual Friends underpin the Festival and also enable us to share our skills in schools and communities in many areas of Hampshire. The income we receive from the sale of tickets covers only half the cost of everything we do. The generosity of our Friends helps fill the gap. Our Friends are our Lifeblood. Sign up and help us thrive.
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THE SWEET SPOT
T H E L I M E L IGH T
T HE PROMP T C ORN ER
Annual £5,500
Annual £2,750
Annual £1,100
Monthly £458
Monthly £229
Monthly £92
Benefit Price £115
Benefit Price £90
Benefit Price £60
Suggested Voluntary Donation £5,385
Suggested Voluntary Donation £2,660
Suggested Voluntary Donation £1,040
• Priority booking from 17 October 2023
• Priority booking from 7 November 2023
• Priority booking from 7 November 2023
• Invitations to special events during the year
• Invitations to special events during the year
• Invitations to special events during the year
• Attend closed rehearsals
• Attend closed rehearsals
• Meet the cast after every visit to the Festival
• Meet the cast after every visit to the Festival
• Meet the cast after every visit to the Festival
T H E RO S T RU M
THE WINGS
T H E F O O T L IGH T S
T H E H IGH F LY E R S
Annual £600
Annual £300
Annual £40
Annual £20
Monthly £50
Monthly £25
Benefit Price £10
Benefit Price £20
Benefit Price £40
Benefit Price £30
Suggested Voluntary Donation £40
Suggested Voluntary Donation £560
Suggested Voluntary Donation £270
• Priority booking from 28 November 2023
• Priority booking from 9 January 2024
• Invitations to two special events during the year
• Invitations to one special event during the year
• Meet the cast after one visit to the Festival
• Priority booking from 30 January 2024
• Priority booking from 30 January 2024 • Any seat, any performance £40 • Half-price Festival Programme • Free bus transfers • Dedicated High Flyers event
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A DAY AT T H E OPER A
As you turn off the roads into the Grange Estate, a distant image of The Grange reveals itself. Its scale and grandeur surprises as it sits overlooking the quiet valley. The park opens at 3pm and we encourage guests to make the most of the time before the performance to immerse themselves fully in the idyllic atmosphere of The Grange.
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The Portico bar overlooking the lake is the place to meet friends, enjoy some canapés and maybe a glass of award winning sparkling wine from The Grange Vineyard and Winery along the valley. Those with a sweeter tooth visit The Tea Pavilion run by a team of volunteers from Winchester Hospice.
Inside The House, visitors can browse The Festival Shop and the carefully curated Art at The Grange exhibition. The sound of bells beckons the audience to take their seats in our award-winning opera house.
The 100-minute dining interval is a generous and relaxed interlude. Guests can choose to head into the faded grandeur of the historic mansion and savour Dinner in The House, a threecourse menu bursting with the best local, seasonal produce.
Some prefer to dine al fresco, choosing Supper in The Park, a sumptuous picnic supper served in your marquee or pavilion. Others bring their own picnics and sit in the tranquility of our beautiful surroundings.
This is more than a just a country estate with opera. The Grange Festival is a secret that guests share with their friends, an event that they describe over and over again as “magical”.
We pride ourselves on having: • The warmest welcome in opera
• Locally sourced, home-cooked food
• A comfortable indoor opera house
• Art installations across the estate
• A generous 100-minute interval
• An unpretentious, unstuffy atmosphere • A relaxed dress code – individuality over formality
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PR IOR IT Y B O OK I NG I N F OR M AT ION Priority booking is available for all our Festival Founders and 2024 Festival Friends. Priority booking opens as follows: 17 OCTOBER 2023 Festival Founders – all levels The Sweet Spot 7 NOVEMBER 2023 The Limelight The Prompt Corner 28 NOVEMBER 2023 The Rostrum 9 JANUARY 2024 The Wings 30 JANUARY 2024 The Footlights The High Flyers 13 FEBRUARY 2024 Public booking opens.
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B O OK I N G F OR M If you are a Festival Founder or a 2024 Festival Friend, please complete the enclosed ticket request form and email it to info@thegrangefestival.co.uk or return it to us at: The Grange Festival, Folly Hill Farm, Itchen Stoke, Hampshire SO24 9TF Tickets are allocated at the start of each booking window in the order in which the forms were received. If you have specific seating requirements it is better to get your form in early. Do keep a careful note of any requested bookings and if you need to make any amends, please contact the Box Office on 01962 791020 and Cornelia and her team will do their utmost to accommodate you.
Photography: Leela Bennett, James Musslewhite, Ben Blincoe and Maryana Bodnar Graphic design: wearenoun.com
ON L I N E B O OK I N G Where possible please include a valid email address so that we can notify you when your tickets have been allocated. When requesting tickets please make us aware of any mobility issues for you or your guests as this will affect where in the auditorium, we are able to seat you. Once your tickets have been allocated, we will be in contact regarding payment for tickets, so please don’t send payment in with your booking form.
It is also possible to book all your tickets online via our website: www.thegrangefestival.co.uk. Online booking for each level opens at 10:30am on the dates listed opposite and if you have signed up at the corresponding level you will be granted access to the seating plans. If you do have any mobility issues, please contact Cornelia and the Box Office team for advice on the best seating options.
The country. But not as you know it. Try laidback luxury for size at Lime Wood.
S E AT I NG PL A N F OR OPER A
THE JOHN LAMBTON BALCONY
B OX 5 B OX 3
X
Band A
£230
Band B
£210
Band C
£190
Band D
£170
Band E
£150
Band F
£60
Band G
£45
Band H
£30
V
B OX 4 B OX 1
W
UPPER STALLS
U
B OX 2
W
T
S
S Q
T S
V
P N
N U
U
R Q
P
V
Balcony Sides
X
T R
Mimi Box
Perch B OX 6
V
M L K J
M L K J
H G F E D C B A
H G F E D C B A STAGE
U
S
T Violetta Box
Balcony Sides
S E AT I NG PL A N F OR JA Z Z/ DA NC E
THE JOHN LAMBTON BALCONY
B OX 5 B OX 3
X
Band A
£130
Band B
£90
Band C
£60
Band D
£45
Perch
£30
V
B OX 4 B OX 1
W
UPPER STALLS
U
B OX 2
W
T
S
S Q
T S
V
P N
N U
U
R Q
P
V
Balcony Sides
X
T R
Mimi
Perch B OX 6
V
M L K J
M L K J
H G F E D C B A
H G F E D C B A STAGE
U
S
T Violetta
Balcony Sides