New Course Update: Wagner Ring Cycle

Longborough Festival Opera, our near neighbour, is building up to the complete Wagner Ring Cycle in summer 2013: a climactic event that will attract an international crowd to our lovely corner of the Cotswolds.   Here at Farncombe, we are preparing for the occasion with two courses that take you to heart of Wagner’s great masterpiece.

Julian Williamson, the respected conductor and lecturer, will lead you through the drama of “Die Walküre” from July 27 to 29, with musical illustration at the piano and on CD.  Julian then introduces “Siegfried”, the child of nature, in a course that runs from November 2 – 4.  The last act includes one of the most lyrical scenes in the Cycle, in the awakening of Brunhilde.

If you book both courses, we would be delighted to offer you complimentary upgrade to one of our Superior bedrooms – generously sized new or refurbished rooms with en-suite bath and shower and King-sized bed with 1200 pocket sprung mattress.

Please also note two more Wagnerian dates for your 2013 diary: Julian returns to lead us through the heroism and drama of “Götterdämmerung.”  From 31 May to 2 June, he will cover the Prologue and Act 1; from 26-28 July, Julian completes the journey with a study of Acts 2 and 3.

Please call 0333 456 8580 to reserve your course places and secure your upgrade. The deadline for this offer is Friday 6^th July.

New dates and Tutor for Wagner Courses

Julian Williamson will now be running the Wagner's Ring: “Die Walküre” and Wagner's Ring: "Siegfried" courses at Farncombe Estate. Please note the new dates:

Wagner's Ring: "Die Walküre”
Start: 27th July 2012 at 6:00pm
End: 29th July 2012 at 2:00pm

The course will elucidate the dramatic and musical structure of “Die Walküre”. There will be opportunity for detailed study, scene by scene, of this full-length music-drama which is in three acts. It will be illustrated at the piano and on CD. The course will be especially concerned with the relationship of text and music, including the leitmotive (‘leading motive’) principle.

Wagner's Ring: “Siegfried”
Start: 2nd November 2012 at 6:00pm
End: 4th November 2012 at 2:00pm

‘The Ring Cycle’ introduces us to the child of nature, the ‘free hero’ Siegfried, his boyhood adventures and his progress towards manhood. The work develops the main dramatic idea, which now includes human beings, rather than gods, giants and dwarves. In the last act we are re-introduced to a new, mortal, and re-awakened Brunhilde in one of the most spacious, heroic, and lyrical scenes in the Cycle. We illustrate the musical and dramatic structures at the piano and from CD. These courses are ideal preparation for the performances we expect to see on the programme of the Longborough Festival Opera 2012-2013 season.
Please bring a vocal score and/or libretto if you can.

To book a place on these courses plase call us on 0333 456 8580 or visit the Farncombe Estate website