Magdala

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9390803.post-91631295321252646022008-06-15T02:41:00.000-07:002008-06-15T03:10:12.607-07:00Magdalahttp://www.nottinghamshirenotes.com Magdala are the most superb group and have given me huge pleasure for years. It is a charity, wholly dependent on grants, sponsorship and generous donations from local businesses and individual supporters. They are a small, artist-led community organisation whose purpose is 'To open up opportunities for people, through singing, to realise their potential, creating experiences which are life enhancing, life changing and life affirming'. Magdala offers poeple from all backgrounds the chance to discover their voice, the experience of making music together and the challenge of doing so to the highest possible standard. And how true this in with their superb concerts. Last night I went especially to <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xALeGBov1kw/SFTlkaZXnUI/AAAAAAAAAtk/7nMnymq2ouo/s1600-h/Magdala+-+Newark+Parish+Church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 177px;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xALeGBov1kw/SFTlkaZXnUI/AAAAAAAAAtk/7nMnymq2ouo/s320/Magdala+-+Newark+Parish+Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212043082498284866" border="0" /></a> the Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Newark, said to be one of the largest and finest parish churches in the country - and it certainly is quite breathtaking, from the 222 ft vista when you walk in, to the ornate ceilings held in place by angels! Part One of the concert consisted of wonderfully familiar pieces like Ave Maria and the quite wonderful <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xALeGBov1kw/SFTmUIqbSCI/AAAAAAAAAts/lLOwW3S81H0/s1600-h/Magdala+-+choir.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 134px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xALeGBov1kw/SFTmUIqbSCI/AAAAAAAAAts/lLOwW3S81H0/s320/Magdala+-+choir.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212043902371711010" border="0" /></a>Hallelujah Chorus, followed by pieces by Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and ending with the Victory March from Aida. The second half of the programme was completely different being a semi-staged performance of Puccini's Tosca Act 1 with visiting professional soloists Neil Allen, Maria Droulou and Ashley Holland. I particularly liked this part - where Mario Cavaradossi 'paints' a portrait, causing jealousy with Tosca. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xALeGBov1kw/SFToSKdphJI/AAAAAAAAAt0/QmRYg4OMIBM/s1600-h/Magdala+-+soloist.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 138px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xALeGBov1kw/SFToSKdphJI/AAAAAAAAAt0/QmRYg4OMIBM/s320/Magdala+-+soloist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212046067518506130" border="0" /></a> Altogether it was the most marvellous, and memorable evening, but what shocked me was that in the past Magdala have, quite rightly, received funding from the Art Council because the innovative nature of their work in the community has been recognised and valued. However this funding is due to end at the end of 2008 - and their future looks very insecure. Considering they also run a schools-based programme, called Opera Start, which engages young people from the most deprived communities in creative prohjects that build self-belief and raise lovels of aspiration - this funding decision seems quite unbelievable. Yet another reason to support Magdala whenever possible and to urge other people to do likewise.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xALeGBov1kw/SFTpurfXEYI/AAAAAAAAAt8/9Tt9wYyc-z4/s1600-h/Magdala+symbol.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 197px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xALeGBov1kw/SFTpurfXEYI/AAAAAAAAAt8/9Tt9wYyc-z4/s320/Magdala+symbol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212047656932020610" border="0" /></a> Nottinghamshire Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494955663830081502noreply@blogger.com