The early years spent in training are the most important part of most musicians' lives. If the right technique and approach is taken onboard, it can set an artist up for his or her entire career.
With this philosophy in mind, the annual London Master Class series offers young singers and instrumentalists a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work alongside some of the leading names in the business in order to hone their art.
This year, the organisation opens with a special gala concert to pay tribute to Philip Langridge, one of LMC's patrons and teachers. A stellar cast has been assembled from the ranks of the regular teachers of the masterclasses, including Nelly Miricioiu (soprano), Rosalind Plowright (mezzo-soprano), Norma Fisher (piano), Sir John Tomlinson (bass), Ian Partridge (tenor) and Ralph Kirshbaum (cello).
The concert takes place at the Royal Academy of Music (nearest underground station: Baker Street) this Sunday 4 July 2010. Tickets priced at £25 are available on the door, by email (via the London Master Class website) or by calling 020 8346 7088. All proceeds from this special occasion will go to the London Master Classes Bursary Fund and the artists are giving their services free to the charity.
Programme-wise, the event has some astounding highlights. Nelly Miricioiu's contributions include 'Tu che le vanita' from Don Carlo, 'Son giunta' from La forza del Destino and 'Mira, O Norma' from Bellini's Norma, in which she will duet with Eleni Katerini. Sir John Tomlinson will sing Hans Sachs's aria from Meistersinger as well as an item from Boris Godunov and two Schubert Lieder, and Ian Partidge will sing and accompany himself in a Schubert Lied.
Rosalind Plowright, one of Langridge's long-time friends and colleagues, will sing three contrasting items by Weill, Britten and Saint-Saëns, while Norma Fisher will perform Schumann's Romance. Additionally, the leading cellist Ralph Kirshbaum will perform two items including Beethoven's Magic Flute variations and Mendelssohn's Song Without Words.
Offering public master classes with some of the world's leading performers, London Master Classes works with advanced classical music students and young professionals before audiences in major London venues. Founded in 1988, it has attracted a great number of distinguished conductors, singers and instrumentalists such as Philip Langridge, Sena Jurinac, Ileana Cotrubas, Nelly Miricioiu, Giuseppe di Stefano, Norma Fisher, Sergei Leiferkus, Sherrill Milnes, Ralph Kirshbaum and Rosalind Plowright. This gala concert is a great opportunity to celebrate the work of a special artist, as well as the achievement of the LMC organisation.
The participants in the concert have contributed some of their thoughts and memories about Langridge, who was a beloved artist by audiences and artists alike. We have reproduced them below in tribute to him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Philip was an inspiration to everyone throughout his career. He was what the Italians would call a real signore. His knowledge and artistry was of the highest class which everyone was able to enjoy and admire and I was one of them.'
Nelly Miricioiu
Soprano
'I became acquainted with Philip Langridge when he married one of my college friends, the mezzo-soprano, Ann Murray. I had already seen him on stage as Don Ottavio in the Glyndebourne season of 1977. He was one of those rarest of performers, a natural singing actor. It would be 27 years until I had the privilege of performing with him in the Ring at Covent Garden and feeling his stage presence up close. Thereafter I was so lucky to find myself with him at the Met in their Hansel and Gretel, the last role he performed on stage. I will treasure the DVD of this and my memories of a truly great British performer who was always so kind and generous with his colleagues and a real gentleman.'
Rosalind Plowright OBE
Mezzo-soprano
'Working with Philip (I remember particularly Captain Vere in Britten's Billy Budd, Aaron in Schoenberg's Moses und Aaron, and Loge in Wagner's Rheingold) was a joy - in the rehearsal room, in performance, and in the many hours of serious but entertaining discussion afterwards in the restaurant. He was the consummate professional, the most intelligent musician, dedicated to the art of beautiful singing, and the most investigative and convincing of actors; but above all, whatever he sang or portrayed, encompassing the whole spectrum of emotion from fury & bitterness through wry amusement & laughter to quiet sorrow or radiant hope, all was expressed in music, voice and demeanour perhaps charmingly, or persuasively, or ironically, or reflectively, or vehemently, but always - and this was his hallmark - always with a natural, convincing humanity that was so telling, so moving, never over-played or exaggerated; it seemed just right.'
Sir John Tomlinson
Bass
From the moment Philip became involved with London Master Classes and agreed to teach for us, it was obvious that here was a genuinely caring man. From his desire to take part in the auditioning process, to his concerns for each singer during each masterclass session, it was clear that his awareness and concern for the physical, psychological and emotional welfare of each individual, was paramount. His students adored and trusted him, as they knew that his particular approach would (and did) get the best from all of them. His generosity and warmth, as a performer, was there for all to see. But, his particular generosity and caring, as a teacher, was experienced by all those lucky enough to have studied with him. Each one, benefitting from his wisdom and totally unselfish desire to share his love and understanding, of music and life. London Master Classes is proud to have had him as a Patron and one of our most loved tutors. His legacy will long remain in all our hearts.
Norma Fisher
Artistic Director
London Master Classes
I first met Philip when we were members of the Purcell Singers and the newly formed John Alldis Choir. He was a wonderful colleague, always full of fun. Although later our careers were to take different directions as Philip discovered his enormous talent on the operatic stage, we always kept in touch and his modesty and sense of humour remained just the same.
Ian Partridge
Tenor
'Philip was first and foremost one of the most honest, generous and genuine men I have ever had the good fortune to know. I have him to thank for so much of my development as an artist. From the first he supported and recognised the potential, always completely positive but leaving me in absolutely no doubt as to what I needed to do to grow and move forwards.'
Katherine Marriott
Mezzo-soprano
'I first heard Philip Langridge sing as a student, Peter Grimes at ENO. He was amazing. Later in my career, after a concert I had sung at in Lady Whitbread's honour, I was amazed when not only did Mr Langridge come and speak to me but that he found the time to actually give me real advice in a way that was completely constructive without being patronizing. Mr Langridge just had this amazing ability to relate to fellow singers and give younger colleagues help in an open and happy way.'
Michael Dewis
Tenor
'I'm not alone in referring to masterclasses with Philip as "life changing". His uncompromising search for honesty was challenging but at the same time empowering. He expected the same integrity in performance from his students as he unfailingly showed in his own. But the important factor for me is that he didn't expect us to make that leap without a safety net. I felt able to trust him from the start, utterly supported by him, so that I could take those first steps towards freedom of expression without fear of criticism or rejection. That unwavering support continued, with Philip giving generously of his time to me in coaching or just simply being always swift to respond to an email with sympathy, encouragement and great humour. Always urging me to show the real me and reminding me that this was what people really wanted to see. Not a performance, the real deal. Precisely what he unflinchingly gave himself.'
Elizabeth Roberts
Soprano
'Meeting Philip was a stepping stone not only in my career but also in my life. He touched me with his soul, with his spirit and taught me not to be afraid of myself. He transformed every one of us by accepting and embracing our talents and teaching us how to accept them ourselves. He was a miracle to work with and he helped to open myself to myself, he opened all the doors inside me.'
Eleni Katerini
Mezzo-soprano
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial by Dominic McHugh. Interviews by Maria Mot.
The concert takes place at the Royal Academy of Music (nearest underground station: Baker Street) this Sunday 4 July 2010.
Tickets priced at £25 are available on the door, by email (via the London Master Class website) or by calling 020 8346 7088.
All proceeds from this special occasion will go to the London Master Classes Bursary Fund and the artists are giving their services free to the charity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related articles:
News: The Royal Opera announces the 2010-11 season
News: BBC Proms 2009 announced
News: Welsh National Opera announces the 2009-10 season
News: The New York Met announces the 2009-10 season
Have your say: discuss this article in our Forum.