Concerts
Over the years, Magdala has built a large following and growing reputation by performing in a wide range of different venues from community centres to major concert halls.
Individual students develop their singing technique and confidence in small "student concerts" and "young singers' recitals", where friends and supporters come along to applaud and encourage first solo performances.
Informal concerts involving groups of Magdala students are held throughout the year in small venues around Nottingham, including shopping centres, country parks and village halls where new audiences are introduced to the best tunes from musical theatre and captivated by the Magdala magic. It's a great way of keeping in touch with the local community and gaining new fans.
Then there are the special events, gala concerts, recitals and staged performances in theatres, historic houses and major concert halls, often accompanied by guest soloists and professional musicians. Magdala has been employed by orchestras like Manchester Camerata for their New Years Galas at Bridgewater Hall, by Raymond Gubbay to deliver the Christmas Gala at the Royal Concert Hall. These are the occasions when Magdala pull out all the stops to demonstrate to large, knowledgeable audiences just how good they are.
Recent high-profile performances have included:
October 2010 - Magdala Autumn Gala Concert, Albert Hall, Nottingham
This special performance was sponsored by Upton Steel and featured professional soloists alongside the dynamic Magdala Chorus. The programme was a myriad of spectacular pieces.
The Nottingham Evening Post review said "..The programme had something for everyone from Don Carlos, Verdi's dark operatic tragedy to the razzmatazz of Cabaret. The chorus always brought a sense of high drama to their performances, not easy when numbers are sung out of context.
A particular highlight was the great Easter Hymn from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, resplendently accompanied by the Albert Hall's Binns organ.
Members of the chorus also emerged as impressive soloists in numbers from South Pacific, Sweeney Todd and Kismet.
The evening's soloists brought much fine singing to some demanding roles. Tenor Neil Allen, mezzo Allison Cook, soprano Maria Droulou and baritone Garry Magee communicated vividly the spirit of whatever they were singing - Broadway hits as well as spectacular numbers from Puccini's Madama Butterfly or Gounod's Faust..."
November 2009 - Magdala Gala 20 Year Anniversary Concert, The Belgrave Rooms
Well it is our 20 year anniversary after all so why not 2 special celebratory occasions. The Magdala Chorus was joined by some very special guest soloists, who have been associated with Magdala over these 20 years, and performed to a packed audience.
September 2009 - Magdala 20 Year Anniversary Gala Dinner at The Carriage Hall
Magdala celebrated it's 20 year anniversary with a special Gala Dinner concert at The Carriage Hall in Plumtree. Guests were treated to a sparkling performance by The Magdala Chorus, along with an enjoyable 3 course dinner.
May 2009 – Concert at the Trent Vineyard Church, Nottingham
The Magdala Chorus, featuring Neil Allen, raised the roof and won new admirers at the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence gala dinner. The event celebrated excellence amongst East Midlands businesses and Magdala was a fitting choice to provide the musical entertainment.
September 2008 – Fund Raising Evening with Sir Willard White
Long-time patron of Magdala, Sir Willard White flew in to support our fund-raising efforts at a very special concert in the Goosedale Conference Centre. Guests were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy one of the world’s opera greats singing just for them. The evening was made complete by a sparkling musical selection from the Magdala Chorus and a gourmet meal.
June 2008 – Tosca at St Mary Magdalene Church, Newark
A spectacular setting for Puccini’s masterpiece. This gala concert featured sacred arias and other opera favourites, followed by a dramatic performance of the 1st Act of Tosca, featuring members of the Chorus and guest soloists.
October 2007 – Gala Performance at Nottingham Playhouse
More great melodies and big emotions from the Magdala Chorus, soloists, and friends.
December 2006 – Christmas Concert at Newstead Abbey
The beginnings of a tradition! Magdala were invited to stage a Christmas Concert in the elegant, historic surroundings of Newstead Abbey (one-time home of Lord Byron) and the event (including seasonal mince pies and mulled wine) was so popular that they have returned every year since.
November 2006 – Gala Performance at Nottingham Playhouse
The Magdala Chorus and professional guest soloists were delighted to return to Nottingham Playhouse after their sell-out performance the previous year. This gala performance included excerpts from some of the greatest pieces in the operatic and musical theatre repertoire.
November 2005 - Cavalleria Rusticana
A semi-staged performance of Mascagni’s powerful drama in Nottingham’s Albert Hall with professional guest soloists and musicians. Director was RADA’s Geoff Bullen and a special arrangement of the score by artist-in residence, Tim Lole, featured the Albert Hall’s magnificent Binns Organ.
Cavalleria Rusticana is a story of “Love, Betrayal, Revenge and Death in post-war Sicily” and it was the perfect platform for Magdala performers and guests to display the full repertoire of soaring solos and powerful ensemble singing. The reviewer from Opera Magazine was bowled over: “a magnificent chorus, one which can claim top marks for tuning, rhythmic precision, sheer verve of delivery and...dynamic subtlety."
The concerts run alongside a continuing programme of Opera Start and Community projects.
