PROGRAMMES

The Trials and Triumphs of Oriana

 

Described as “heartfelt and fascinating,”this programme is intimate yet theatrical. It was inspired by, and features some of, Thomas Morley's madrigal collection of 1601, "The Triumphs of Oriana" uniquely arranged here for two voices with instrumental accompaniment. Fair Oriana explore the public and private faces of Elizabeth 1 through a story of song, movement, instrumental music and the Queen’s own poetry.

In typical Fair Oriana fashion, the programme seamlessly weaves together ancient and modern, featuring three new commissions by living composers that set Elizabeth's own words to music: a psalm setting, a contemporary lute song and a folk-style song. (Find two of these on the media page.) Through music and spoken word Fair Oriana explore Elizabeth's various troubled relationships and portray both halves of one iconic being.

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Aminta e Fillide - Handel

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Fair Oriana collaborates with Opera Settecento (directed by Leo Duarte) for historically authentic performances of this charming and virtuosic pastoral cantata by Handel, a journey which began with a performance for the London Handel Friends in Autumn 2019. Angela plays Aminta, who throughout the cantata attempts to win over Fillide, played by Penelope. She stubbornly resists his advances until he manages to melt her heart with the aria Se vago rio. For this project Angela and Penelope are working closely with researcher and Baroque Opera specialist Brian Robins to bring historically informed performance to modern audiences. This can be lengthened into a full evening programme with the inclusion of further pastoral baroque instrumental music.

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Silver Baroque

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The term 'silvery' is often used to describe clear, high voices and is a word that has always been associated with the ethereal sound of Fair Oriana. Penelope and Angela have taken this concept as inspiration for an atmospheric night-themed programme of baroque music. It contains both well known and more diverse repertoire (often uniquely arranged for their two voices) spanning opera, oratorio, chamber music and song, in a variety of languages. As they recite at the opening of the programme, the night is a  time for sleeping, praying, hiding, wishing, loving, dreaming and bewitching. They explore these themes through a varied programme of solos, duets, spoken word and instrumental baroque music in which they play a variety of characters, from lovers to witches, with some surprise twists along the way. As always, they use the available performing space creatively and semi-stage parts of the programme in an entertaining way that flows seamlessly from piece to piece.

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A Noble Thief: The Legend of Robin Hood

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Soprano duo Fair Oriana present an entertaining hour of early music and folk fusion in their earthy Robin Hood themed programme, premiered in 2020 at the Mozart-Saal of Vienna's Konzerthaus as part of their Resonanzen Festival. In this subtly theatrical and varied programme, Fair Oriana lend their trademark pure sound to a more rustic and folk-inspired sound world, collaborating with an actor, Tim Vaughan, and energetic band of period instrumentalists (viols, lute, cittern, percussion and recorder) to bring the legend to life. The programme celebrates the roots of our music and folk lore, combining spoken word (extracts from the ballads of Robin Hood) with a fascinating compilation of medieval and Renaissance songs and uniquely arranged folk tunes. Through speech and music the ensemble explores the different stages of Robin Hood's life, set within the leafy back drop of Sherwood Forest. With typically characterful delivery, Fair Oriana combine ethereal moments with plenty of lively toe-tapping ones.

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Divine Songs of Passion 

Featuring Leçons de ténèbres - Couperin

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Couperin's beautiful Leçons de ténèbres was one of the first programmes that Angela and Penelope ever performed together, and so was instrumental in the formation of this partnership. The purity of their voices is ideally suited for this light and expressive repertoire. The programme Divine Songs of Passion is designed for Lent, and woven around the Couperin, it includes contemplative and sacred works by Purcell and Pergolesi.

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   General

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 Fair Oriana are pleased to be able to offer bespoke baroque and lute-song programmes designed to suit the themes and requirements of the individual festival or event.  Do get in touch to discuss ideas via the contact form on the home page or by emailing fairorianaenquiries@gmail.com              

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