The Fairy Queen
Opera by Henry Purcell
Click on the picture to download our free flip-book programme, which can be printed, or read on your device.
In HGO’s revitalization of Purcell’s masterpiece, meet our ensemble of fourteen singers, led through the evening in a variety of incarnations by a magical tale-spinner, a photographer studying love through her camera lens. Purcell’s wonderful music takes us through the gamut of human emotions; each of his masques draws us into a different fantasy as we are taken into the photographer’s dream space where anything is possible.
Eloise Lally directs, with Seb Gillot leading the HGOAntiqua Orchestra baroque ensemble.
Our special thanks go to:
- Arts Society Greater London
- Continuo Foundation
- The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
- The Fidelio Charitable Trust
Gilbert and Vahideh Hall
- The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation
The Thistle Trust
An anonymous donor
for their support for this production.
THE ENSEMBLE
Our ensemble undertakes many roles during the opera: we list below just some of our members’ featured parts and numbers…..
PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR
MUSIC DIRECTOR
SET and costume designer
LIGHTING DESIGN
Choreography
Production and STAGe Manager
Beri Valentine
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Laura Mekhail
Costume Manager
Faith Hucklesby
Props SUPERVISOR
Liuba Sliusareva
HGOANTIQUA ORCHESTRA
Violins – Maxim Del Mar / Sophie Simpson
Viola – Hannah Gardiner
Bass Violin – Jacob Garside (April 28 – Miriam Nohl)
Theorbo/Guitar – Jonatan Bougt
Recorders/Oboes – Joel Raymond / Katie Lewis
Bassoon – Catriona McDermid
Trumpets – Katie Lodge / Sam Lewis / Tom Harrison
Timpani/Percussion – Fabian Edwards
REVIEWS
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The ensemble company of fourteen young opera singers work tirelessly well together, invested and focused throughout, creating lovely classical tableaux, with each performer getting their chance to shine and sing Purcell’s glorious songs…a vibrant and, yes, charming production.”
The Spy in the Stalls
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “HGO with a talented cast, a tight orchestra and superb direction put on a spectacle in praise of love, joy and a little bit of kinky experimentation.”
The Reviews Hub
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “a fabulously lavish visual treat – big, camp, joyous and taking no prisoners – and the music was, well, sublime”
Ham & High
“The talent on HGO’s stage was mesmerising… Hats off to all fourteen singers! I remain astonished by the exquisite performance of ‘The Plaint’, featuring soprano Betty Makharinsky and oboist Katie Lewis, beautifully matched musically and dramatically“
Seen and Heard International
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Director Eloise Lally attacks the piece with wit and verve. To support her, HGO has assembled a brilliant group of young singers and musicians and this version is an ensemble piece par excellence… The HGOAntiqua Orchestra – Seb Gillot directing them from the harpsichord – sounded marvellous”.
Plays To See
” This impressive production by HGO…the ability of the ensemble cast to memorise the music and the complex movements combine to produce an impressively professional final result.”
Andrew Benson-Wilson
Nominated for 2024 Off West End (Offie) Award for Best Opera Production
PRODUCTION IMAGES
Photography by Laurent Compagnon
VIDEOS