May 2008
|
|
In punctual and business-like fashion
|
Tuesday 6th May 2008
|
|
| |
Annual General Meeting
plus entertainment
|
|
|
|
Picture Index
|
The Gilbert and Sullivan Society : Manchester
Secretary's report of the year 2007/2008
We began this season with an extra meeting on September 25th
when we took advantage of Sullivan's great, great nephew Scott
Hayes being in England and speaking to the Sullivan Festival
and invited him to talk to us a few days later. This was a
very pleasant evening when he spoke about his family, descended
from Arthur Sullivan's brother Fred, read letters from Arthur
Sullivan and stressed how kind Arthur was and how well he
looked after his brother's family. Afterwards there was time
to chat individually to Scott and his wife Kitty. There was
real thrill in meeting someone actually related to one of
our heroes, added to which Scott has some of the charm and
easy way with people that we understand Sir Arthur had.
The October meeting was originally to be an "up-and-coming"
singer's concert by a star or stars of the future. We invited
Rebecca Rudge, soprano, whom some of us had heard sing. To
our delight she said that Donald Maxwell, her singing teacher
and personal friend, had offered to come with her and perform
for a similar fee to that we offered her. We would have thought
that we could not afford him and that he would have no free
time for a small event. With her clear soprano voice and his
fine bass-baritone we were treated to a delightful concert
of G&S and other songs. The accompanist was Duncan Glenday
from the RNCM. Ray Walker noticed a Singalong Pirates was
to be performed at Buxton Opera House for one evening only
on November 6th, the very day on which we meet, and suggested
that we make it our November meeting. Twenty members enjoyed
this event, with professional principals and the audience
as chorus. In the first half Linda Ormiston brushed up our
knowledge of the choruses with skill and humour. After the
interval the opera was performed with Linda, Donald Maxwell,
Rebecca Rudge and Martin Lamb among the principals, and an
amusing synopsis of the plot read by Donald replacing the
dialogue. A dozen or more members met beforehand for a meal
and it proved to be an enjoyable and rather different evening.
In December another fine bass-baritone, Bruce Graham, gave
us a lovely evening of songs, both G&S and other, interspersed
with tales of his performing life with the old and new D'Oyly
Carte, Carl Rosa and other professional companies and some
thoughts of what he particularly admired about Sullivan's
music and Gilbert's wit and words. The January meeting was
a social with contributions from members and delicious bring-and-share
refreshments. Attendance is usually low in January, but those
who were able to come thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
In February Paul Taylor gave us a most interesting Study
Evening on Princess Ida. We appreciated how much work had
gone into preparing it; excellent in content and presentation
and we found it informative and enjoyable. We did indeed "soar
to empyrean heights of every kind of lore, in search of Wisdom's
pure delight".
The original plan for March was that members of Manchester
University G&S Society, affectionately known as MUGSS, would
present a concert, but in the end this was not possible as
their production this year was at the end of April. At short
notice Alasdair McCall, bass-baritone and Ella Kirkpatrick,
soprano, both from the Royal Northern College of Music, accompanied
by James Eastham, gave us an excellent concert of G&S and
a variety of other music. Two more excellent voices, with
excellent acting as well.
Lastly in April our vice-president and friend of many years,
David Mackie, former repetiteur and assistant conductor with
the original D'Oyly Carte, gave us a fascinating talk with
much illustration at the piano about Sullivan's counterpoint
melodies. We know the double choruses, but most of us had
not noticed the many examples between singer and orchestra.
This talk began with the history of the first uses of counterpoint.
In addition to our meetings of course we each receive three
copies a year of what I consider an excellent magazine. And
many of us also enjoy the delights of G&S and each others'
company at various performances throughout the year, professional
and amateur, including The Gilbert and Sullivan Festival at
Buxton. We were very sad that Liverpool Society had to close
due to lack of members able to attend meetings. They used
to be a very lively, active Society and we have always had
a special relationship with them. We were pleased to welcome
seven of them to membership of our Society and some of them
joined London, but we knew that it was unlikely that any would
be able to attend meetings, due to age and lack of mobility.
Paul will report in more detail on membership. Membership
numbers may have stayed fairly steady, but attendance at meetings
has declined over the past ten years, and from 37 average
attendance two seasons ago to 28 this season. I am concerned
about this; other "Branches" have dwindled and dwindled until
they have to close because they cannot afford to put on meetings
and are embarrassed to ask people to sing to an audience of
a dozen or so. We really do need more members and ones who
will be able to attend meetings. One of the best sources of
recruitment has always been people bringing friends and I
so urge everyone to think of anyone they know who would enjoy
our meetings. Also to take more posters and leaflets to their
local library and other venues. We are grateful to Alan Reiblein
for creating and maintaining our website and keep hoping that
it will bring in new members. Remember also, if you have to
miss a meeting, you can look on the website for a short report
and photos and the list of notices giving details of upcoming
local performances. If you have not got your own home computer
or a grandchild, nephew, niece, friend or neighbour remember
there are some computers in every library. I feel sure that
there are people around who would like to join but don't know
about us.
So, in conclusion, I think we have all enjoyed the past season;
our meetings are so good that we should share them with more
enthusiasts.
Jean Dufty Secretary May 2008
|
Ella Kirkpatrick 