An opportunity for singers and continuo players to explore Purcell's solo songs and ensemble works in detail with Emily Owen and Satoko Doi-Luck.
STANDARD: CONFIDENT, SKILFUL
Resident: £582 Non-Resident: £445 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 25/346
Booking for Members opens at 9am on Wednesday 27 November 2024
Non-Member and online booking opens at 9am on Monday 16 December 2024
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here
What is the course about?
Emily Owen (soprano) and Satoko Doi-Luck (harpsichord) will work with singers of all voice types, harpsichord and theorbo players on a range of Purcell's songs for solo voice and small (1 per part) vocal ensemble. We will explore both vocal technique and Baroque style, as well as skilful and stylistic accompaniment of a solo singer. We will be working at A=415 and continuo players should be confident reading from figured bass. Singers should prepare 2/3 solo songs by Purcell of their own choice to work on in a masterclass setting. Ensemble pieces will be sent out by the tutors in advance and should be prepared in advance of the course. All participants should be confident performing as a soloist, singing their own line in a small vocal ensemble and working in detail on stylistic and technical aspects of the music. Some prior knowledge of singing Baroque music is preferable, but not essential.
What will the course cover?
An exploration of Purcell's solo songs and works for vocal ensemble for singers and continuo players. We will cover: Baroque style Vocal Technique Stylistic realisation of figured bass Accompanying a solo singer/continuo skills Ornamentation Articulation and phrasing Rhetoric and performance aspects of Baroque solo singing.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to...
... confidently perform a range of works by Henry Purcell in a stylistic and historically informed way. You will have improved your ability to work in voice/continuo partnership and have gained an in depth knowledge of musical aspects to consider when approaching Baroque repertoire.
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
The course will be divided into solo song masterclasses and small vocal ensemble rehearsals. Singers are expected to choose and prepare 2/3 solo songs by Henry Purcell. Ensemble repertoire will be tailored to the participants and sent out by the tutors in advance of the course for preparation. Continuo players will be sent all the repertoire in advance and will be expected to be familiar with it on arrival.
Will music be provided in advance of this course?
Singers should send copies of their solo music in an appropriate format (with figured bass accompaniment) in advance of the course. IMSLP is a helpful source of repertoire and the tutors can be contacted for advice on suitable editions. Copies of ensemble repertoire will be sent out by the tutors in advance of the course.
Is there anything that participants need to bring?
3 paper copies of your solo songs.
Your instrument, if you are a theorbo player
Harpsichordists are welcome to bring an instrument if they would like
We will be working at A=415
Tutor biographies
Emily Owen Having graduated from Durham University with a First Class Honours degree in Music, Emily Owen went on to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, completing an Extended Artist Masters with Distinction and becoming a GSMD Ensemble Artist Fellow with early music ensemble Ceruleo in 2017/18. She is coached by Tim Evans-Jones. Emily leads a varied freelance career as a consort singer and soloist, making her solo debut at Teatro alla Scala, Milan playing the role of 'Iris' in Handel's Semele and her BBC Proms solo debut in Dixit Dominus in 2021 under Sir John Eliot Gardiner. She features on three CDs of Purcell with The Kings Consort and Ceruleo. She sings with St Bride's Church Fleet Street, the Monteverdi Choir, Apollo5, Dowland Works, Melismata and Sonoro and leads workshops for the VOCES8 Foundation and the Voices Foundation. She teaches at Harrow School.
Satoko Doi-Luck Satoko Doi-Luck takes pleasure in a diverse career, as a keyboardist, a composer, and a director. Satoko regularly gives solo recitals as well as enjoys playing with orchestras and opera companies such as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Rachel Podger with Brecon Baroque and English Touring Opera with whom she has directed the performances of Bach's St John's passion. In 2022, she directed Hasse's opera Antonio e Cleopatra from the keyboard at the Buxton International Festival. She was the Assistant Music Director & Repetiteur at the Longborough Opera for the production of Purcell's Fairy Queen in 2023. She has recently performed Bach harpsichord concerto at Festival de Bach Lausanne in Switzerland. As a composer, her string quartets were performed by the players of the OAE at their Nightshift tour. During the pandemic, she had a commission from ORA Singers in collaboration with Tate Modern.