Felici Opera win Grand Rights for UK première of Victoria Bond's "Clara"

WELWYN GARDEN CITY, U.K. - March 6, 2019 - PRLog -- Felici Opera have been awarded the performance grand rights by Theodore Presser Company for the UK première of American composer Victoria Bond's "Clara "with libretto by Barbara Zinn Kriegar.

The world première of "Clara", sung in German, will be performed in April 2019 at the Festspielhaus. Baden-Baden. For the UK première in March 2020 Felici Opera will be giving four performances sung in English, the original language of the opera.

Felici Opera, founded in 2016 by Margaret Johnson and Zoë Jasko, is a Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire opera company that aims to make opera accessible to local communities through venue and price. "Clara" will be performed at four separate venues across the two counties in March 2020: St Paul's Walden Bury (near Hitchin), home of Felici Opera patrons, Sir Simon and Lady Caroline Bowes Lyon (Sunday 7 March) ; The Focolare Centre Welwyn Garden City, as part of the Welwyn Garden City Centenary festivities (Thursday 12 March); The Spirella Ballroom (part of the Garden City Heritage Foundation), Letchworth Garden City (Friday 13 March); and early nineteenth century private home of the Hanbury family, Turvey House (near Bedford) (Sunday 15 March).  Ticket prices will range from £15 to £70.

Margaret Johnson, Musical Director, commented, "It is an immense privilege to present the first UK  performance of "Clara" by the illustrious American composer, Victoria Bond. We are thrilled to bring the opera to UK audiences and especially to the localities of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. "Clara"  tells the inspiring, true story of Clara Schumann, the celebrated nineteenth century pianist - and composer also, though unrecognised as such until very recently. Unlike many premières in large opera houses, the Felici Opera production will present "Clara" in a drawing room setting, accompanied by a piano trio. Far from being "grand opera", I believe this intimate portrayal will speak to all generations and appeal equally to those completely new to opera and to seasoned opera lovers.

Details of this event can be found at: https://www.feliciopera.com/clara-uk-premiere

About Felici Opera

Felici Opera is a Community Interest Company which aims to encourage and promote vocal classical music, especially opera in local communities – primarily Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and also elsewhere in the UK where appropriate – making it accessible in language, venue and price; through such events, Felici Opera aims to raise funds for local, national and international charities and/or raise awareness of issues such as organ donorship and mental health. Felici Opera patrons are Sir Simon and Lady Caroline Bowes Lyon and Peter Waine (former ROH trustee and a former director of the CBI)

About Victoria Bond

For further information about Victoria Bond see http://www.victoriabond.com/