Girls at Farlington School took part in an intensive one-day Opera Workshop on Friday 4th February, organised by Opera Holloway. Students from Royal Holloway University have set up Opera Holloway, a self-funding company, and two of its members, Alice Pollock and Caroline Swarbrick are Old Farlingtonians. In order to raise funds for their June production the company organised a workshop with two choirs from Farlington – Junior Choir (Years 3-6 and Glee Club (Years 7-9). The girls had to learn three songs with movement in just the one day.
All their hard work resulted in a sensational Gala Concert on the same evening. Needless to say, Farlington’s fine young singers rose to the challenge and the audience heard a wonderful version of the ‘Children’s Chorus’ form Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ by the junior choir, ‘Habanera’ performed with excellent actions by the Glee Club and a rousing finale of the ‘Toreador’s Song’ involving everyone. Throughout the workshop the girls were coached and encouraged by the excellent nine-strong team from Royal Holloway led by Lewis Gaston and both pupils and audience alike were treated to solo performances from the young adult singers which were inspiring. Highlights included ‘Non So Piu’ from ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ sung by Farlingtonian Caroline Swarbrick and an excellent vocal trio from the same opera performed by James Proctor, Sarah Killian and Maria Listra.
The girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience and Siana Giles comment summed up how many of them felt, “It was really fun! I loved the Toreador song and how we got to scream at Jake. The atmosphere was brilliant.”
