Gary Cooper conducts and performs at Potsdam Festival
13 June 2007
Dragon of Wantley and London Piano School Recital
GARY COOPER - opera conductor and forte-piano specialist
Britain's most popular comic opera after the »Beggar's Opera«
IThe Dragon - Nicholas Warden Gubbins - Michael Bundy Margery - Joana Seara Mauxalinda - Tamsin Dalley Moore of Moore Hall - Daniel Auchincloss
Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin
Musical direction: Gary Cooper Stage direction: Jack Edwards Stage design: Robin Linklater Costumes: Ashley Shairp
»The Dragon of Wantley« A burlesque opera by John Frederick Lampe (1703-1751) after a libretto by Henry Carey (um 1689-1743)
German first performance in English
A co-production of Musikfestspiele Potsdam Sanssouci and Opera Restor’d London
6.00 pm Marquis d'Argens' private suite/New Palace Lecture: »The Dragon of Wantley« and the development of the opera in 18th century England Peter Holman (musicologist and artistic director of Opera Restor'd London) The comic opera of John Frederick Lampe, a born German, was first performed on May 10, 1737 at the Little Theatre in the Haymarket, London. An immediate sensation, it was quickly transferred to Covent Garden. It was such a success that it held the stage for nearly 50 years and thus became the most popular comic opera after the »Beggar's Opera« in 18th century England. »The Dragon of Wantley« is also a great parody of the Italian operatic staging, revealing supreme mastery. It is very »English«, at the same time very »down-to earth«, and full of British humour. It can also be read as a satire on contemporary politics and moral conditions.
For more information on Dragon at Potsdam
London Piano Schools Recital
GARY COOPER
»The rising star in early music«
Gary Cooper, forte piano
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Piano sonata E flat major Hob. XVI:52
Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782) Grave – Fuga (Allegro moderato) from: Piano sonata C major op. 5 No. 6
George Frederick Pinto (1785-1806) Rondo E flat major
Muzio Clementi (1752-1832) Piano sonata b minor op. 40 No. 2
Johann Ladislaus Dussek (1760-1812) Piano sonata f sharp minor op. 61 (C. 211)
John Field (1782-1837) Nocturnes No. 1 E flat major: Molto moderato Nocturnes No. 2 c minor: Moderato e molto espressivo
Samuel Wesley (1766-1837) Lento & Fugue D major »on a theme of Mr Salomon«
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) Fantasie sur une Chanson irlandaise (»The last Rose of Summer«) E-Dur op. 15
Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) Adagio and Rondo: Presto from: Piano sonata No. 1 in C major op. 24
Gary Cooper has been critically acclaimed as »The Best Newcomer in Classical Music, 2001« (»The Times«) and as »the rising star in early music« (»The Observer«). His performance has recently been praised as music making »that rarely comes as impressive as this«. These characterizations, however, seem to be nothing but a feeble attempt to describe this artist's energetic, passionate, and technically perfect play, that is founded on a surpassing and gifted musicality. He has an excellent reputation for his sprightly and inspiring interpretations and intelligent programme conceptions. As a world-wide active chamber musician he has realised numerous much appraised recordings. Over the years he has also become an established conductor for British concert and opera projects.
For more information on Gary Cooper at Potsdam
