The orchestra in the Ravel had some very strange instruments in it. The oddest was a sarousaphone, a sort of cross between a contra-bassoon and a saxophone, it made a wonderfully deep resonant sound. The orchestra had to make all sorts of weird and wacky sounds to depict the many clocks in the clock shop. Metronomes, celestas and swooping brass and woodwind glissandos all helped to set the scene. The voices sounded amazing too, especially Ramiro’s, the muleteer, who was
played by Christopher Maltman. The Puccini used a very large orchestra as well. The composer is famous for his soaring melodies and rich, creamy accompaniments. He has a wonderful way of using the music to tell the story and conveys the emotion effortlessly. We were transfixed by the beautiful soprano song (aria) “O mio babbino cara”sung by Lauretta Gianni Schicchi’s daughter as she pleads with him to stay and help the love of her life Rununccio’s family to keep their inheritance. This is such a glorious moment in the opera and just doesn’t last long enough in my opinion, it was sung with just the right amount of charm and persuasion by Maria Bengtsson.
Mrs Hodges

The entire senior prep cohort had a fabulous visit to the world class Royal Opera House to see two operas, L`Heure Espagnole by Ravel & Gianni Schicchi by Puccini, both exquisite comic operas. The seats were a mixture of front and second row prime balcony seats with five boxes two of which were on the same level as the Royal Box, but with –according to the fortunate students involved, “a better view”! The combination of very fine lighting , outstanding direction and singing with an incredibly responsive orchestra held the rapt attention of the pupils , and several have spontaneously come back with sincere comments of  deep appreciation indicating the impact the performances have had on them. Mr Slater