Being an opera singer is such a wonderful job, I feel very lucky that I love my job so much and that I have so much fun doing it!
2015 is a very exciting year for me, especially since learning that I would be involved in Swansea City Opera’s 10th anniversary production of Faust. It’s a great pleasure and privilege to be making my role debut as Marguerite, the innocent young maiden who is the object of Faust’s affections.
So far it has been a wonderful experience –to be singing the most satisfying, beautiful and some of my very favourite music. Yes I know that sounds a bit over the top, but it’s exactly how I feel about the role of Marguerite and I very much hope to have an opportunity to portray her again in the future.
Marguerite has so much depth of character and the role certainly has its challenges, both dramatically and vocally, from her joyful Jewel Song to the poignant & heart-breaking D’amour, l’ardente flamme where Marguerite is all alone, wondering whether Faust will ever return to her. It really is a wonderful role with such strong dramatic purpose, and I can truly say that I’m in my element portraying her.
As a singer it’s very rare to get to work with a company that hails from the city you were born, and to be performing with such a wonderful cast of people and a fantastic company is great. The added fact that we’re touring the production, with many wonderful Welsh venues included in the schedule – is a real bonus.
The fact that the show is being introduced to smaller venues is really important. It’s great to be able to go to large venues in Cardiff or London to see a full scale production by one of the larger opera companies, but seeing this production gives the audience the something a bit different – an opportunity to see something more intimate, which really gives the whole score a new colour and the characters suddenly become so much more moving.
There is something special about seeing things on a smaller scale but with the same intensity of performance and the same attention to detail. As singers, there is nowhere for us to hide so you really are seeing us as we are! It’s a show for everyone, sparkling arias, high drama and twists and turns!
We’re performing this production in English which means it’s accessible to everyone, so I would really encourage everyone to get tickets, as you won’t be disappointed!
The roles of Marguerite and Faust are double cast, so please feel free to visit my website www.angharadmorgansoprano.co.uk for the details of the shows that I will be performing in with Swansea City Opera and all of the forthcoming concerts I am involved in.
Swansea City Opera present Faust by Charles Gounod National Tour 2015
This spring Swansea City Opera present Faust by Charles Gounod. Sung in English and set in the Victorian gothic era with steam-punk influences and featuring well-known musical highlights such as The Jewel Song, Faust promises to be an ambitious and unique opera that will leave audiences wanting more. Brendan Wheatley, SCO Director, will give a Pre-performance talk about the opera that will be free of charge to all ticket holders.
Angharad Morgan
Faust 2015 Tour Dates
Friday 13 March
Theatre Royal, Winchester 01962 840440
Sunday 15 March
Wilde Theatre, Bracknell 01344 484123
Wednesday 18 March
Buxton Opera House, Buxton 08451 272190
Friday 20 March
Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich 01473 295900
Sunday 22 March
Palace Theatre, Mansfield 01623 412951
Saturday 28 March
Torch Theatre, Milford Haven 01646 695267
Tuesday 7 April
The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr 01292 288235
Friday 17 April
Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli 01758 704088
Saturday 18 April
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon 01874 611622
Wednesday 6 May
The Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 01873 850805
Friday 8 May
Fairfields Hall, Croydon 02086 889291
Saturday 16 May
Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead 01407 763361
Friday 22 May
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 01743 281281
Saturday 23 May
The Pavillion, Rhyl 01745 330000
Thursday 28 May
The Taliesin, Swansea 01792 602060
Saturday 30 May
The SPA Theatre,Bridlington 01262 678258
Wednesday 3 June
Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate 01423 502116
Saturday 6 June
Kings Theatre, Southsea 02392 828282