A Night on the Town
The whole city is looking forward to welcoming us to Birmingham. In a Night on the Town you will get to find out that the city and its people have a lot to offer; there’s lots to see from museums and art galleries, there’s shopping in Europe’s largest mall, world-class restaurants with a choice of food from every continent available.
In addition the City has prepared some exclusive performances for us. Choose from one of these three special and exclusive shows:
The Treorchy Male Voice Choir – Birmingham Town Hall
Described by Sir Anthony Hopkins as “The master choir of them all.” The Treorchy Male Voice Choir must be regarded as one of the greatest success stories in the cultural history of Wales. Delegates to the Rotary International Convention will have an opportunity to hear a concert given by the choir on Tuesday 23rd June at 7.30pm at the newly renovated, historic Town Hall, Birmingham. Tickets are £25 each and may be booked at www.rotaryconvention2009.com.
Choirs have flourished in the Rhondda Valley for more than a hundred and fifty years and nowhere has this been better represented than in Treorchy. One of its first male choirs was formed in the inauspicious surroundings of the Red Cow Hotel in the summer of 1883 and developed into a national eisteddfod winner, culminating in a royal command performance for Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle. Sadly, the choir later disbanded after suffering massive economic depression and two world wars, but from those ashes rose a male voice choir that would become a household name.
The present Treorchy Male Choir was reformed on October 16, 1946 under the baton of John Haydn Davies. This remarkable man led them on a realm of gold in the space of 20 years, transforming the raw musical recruits in an international institution. They scaled the peaks of musical distinction in the eisteddfod field by gaining a record eight national wins, making a total of twenty-two first prizes out of twenty seven entries. The unique Treorchy Sound was heard worldwide as they made regular radio broadcasts, television appearances, commercial recordings, two feature films and an overseas tour to Switzerland.
Treorchy was to become the first male choir to venture into the uncharted territory of popular music and subsequently the choir has made more than fifty commercial recordings, making it probably the most recorded in the world. In more recent years their radical attitude to music making included a ground-breaking album of music by Freddie Mercury and Queen, two recordings of music by Bob Marley and in complete contrast they became the first British choir to perform Sibelius’ Kullervo Symphony in Finnish.
The choir has also shared the stage with some of the world’s greatest entertainers during its long and illustrious history. Television programmes with Sir Tom Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Julie Andrews, Sir Harry Secombe and Burt Bacharach was only the beginning of their long association with major celebrities and now their list of performances reads more like a “who’s who” of international stars. This group of amateur Welsh singers have since appeared either on stage, screen or in the recording studio with the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Michael Ball, Katherine Jenkins, Iris Williams, Max Boyce, Bryn Terfel, Aled Jones, Charlotte Church, Ozzie Osbourne, Jon Bon Jovi, Sir Cliff Richard, Andrea Bocelli, Mc Fly, Russell Watson and Il Divo. They have also enjoyed the distinct pleasure of performing for the likes of Oscar-winner Joan Fontaine and Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley.
Overseas tours have also played an important role in the ongoing success story of Treorchy. Since the early 1980s the choir has undertaken an enviable number of overseas tours beginning with two visits to Canada and a performance in Strasbourg Cathedral for its congregation of almost 6,000 people. A series of four successful tours of the USA followed, with visits to the White House and performances in San Francisco, Denver, Seattle and the Mid West. Treorchy has also enjoyed an enduring love affair with Australia, becoming the first Welsh choir to appear at the Sydney Opera House in 1986. In the latter years the choir has made two further visits “down under” appearing in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne while making a triumphant return to the Opera House in Sydney. Closer to home and the choir has appeared on the Royal Variety Performance and has become a regular entertainer on the hallowed turf of the Millennium Stadium for various rugby international games.
The Treorchy Male Choir, a registered charity devoted to raising tens of thousands of pounds per year for worthwhile causes, runs its own Junior Musician of the Year competition to encourage more than a thousand children per year to enjoy the opportunity of performing. The choir remains bound together and united in the common purpose of the enjoyment of music making and of giving pleasure to others.
For more information see www.treorchymalevoicechoir.org
Birmingham Town Hall*
Birmingham Town Hall has undergone a £35m renovation, funded by Birmingham City Council (£18.3m), Heritage Lottery Fund (£13.7m) and European Regional Development Fund (£3m). Acclaimed at its opening in 1834 as the finest music hall in the country, this Grade 1 listed landmark has been lovingly and painstakingly renovated by a dedicated team of conservation and construction professionals. Since that time, its imposing neo-classical design has dominated the City centre’s Victoria and Chamberlain Squares.
Recognised as one of the most impressive examples of Roman Revival civic architecture, the style of Town Hall is based upon the Roman Temple of Castor and Pollux. It was designed by Joseph Aloyisus Hansom, who is better known as the creator of the famous ‘Hansom cab’. Naively agreeing to underwrite the cost of the project resulted in the bankruptcy and financial ruin of the 27-year-old.
Built in a period when Birmingham rallied at the forefront of the protests for national democratic reform, Town Hall provided citizens with a forum for political debate as well as an important symbol of their, and the town’s, purpose and aspirations. It was the meeting place for local government until the Council House opened in the 1870s, Town Hall continued as a forum for debate and speech-making through the 20th century. Since its opening, practically every prime minister and politician of note has spoken at there; with notable speakers including Joseph Chamberlain, William Gladstone, David Lloyd George, Neville Chamberlain, Clement Atlee, Neil Kinnock and Margaret Thatcher.
Town Hall was, and is, an internationally recognised venue for music, in particular the Triennial Music Festival (between 1834 and 1912). Home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra between 1926 and 1991, the Hall has showcased many premieres and reverberated to every type of music from Elgar to the Rolling Stones, Mendelssohn to the Beatles and Count Basie to Duran Duran.
It has also hosted a wide variety of events including wrestling matches, Charles Dickens’ reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’, graduation ceremonies and craft fairs! Closed in 1996 on health and safety grounds and concerns over structural stability, Town Hall has undergone numerous alterations and changes to reflect the needs of users and performers of the time; the 21st century redevelopment was completed and the Town Hall re-opened in October 2007.
The Organ*
Upon its opening in 1834, visitors to Birmingham Town Hall were awestruck not only by the building’s impressive Roman Revival civic architecture, but also by the magnificence of its specially commissioned organ.
What made the organ so immediately and visually impressive to those first audiences were the huge 32 foot pipes that were, for the first time in England, incorporated into the decorative case front.
One of the very few organs of the time to have four manuals and a complete set of pedals, the size of the organ grew over the years, from 3,000 to 6,000 pipes.
Paid for from public funds, the instrument was a record breaker; being the largest organ in England at the time. Even today it is still comparable with the most powerful of cathedral organs around the world.
The organ’s reputation as one of England’s finest historical instruments has been confirmed by the excellence and reputation of the Birmingham City Organists who have continued to demonstrate the instrument’s versatility.
With recitals and organ-related educational activity planned upon the building’s re-opening, the internationally recognised instrument is integral to the musical past and future of Town Hall.
At 70 foot high, the organ case is as tall as two double decker buses stood end on end. The largest metal pipe is 35 foot and 3 inches long, equivalent to the height of an average house.
Like the original ownership of the Town Hall itself, the organ was originally commissioned and owned by the General Hospital of Birmingham, with the instrument being handed over to the City of Birmingham in March 1890.
A splendid example of Georgian organ building, it is widely acknowledged as a landmark instrument in terms of its engineering and mechanics. Thought to have been designed by Neukomm or Vincent Novello, the organ builder was William Hill, who was also responsible for building the organ at York Minster. He had been commissioned by the Governors of the General Hospital in Birmingham to build the instrument at a total cost of £3,000.
* Information courtesy of Town Hall, Birmingham for more information see www.thsh.co.uk
A night at the Ballet with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Love and Loss Triple Bill
The Birmingham Royal Ballet, Britain’s premier touring classical ballet company, will perform their final dress rehearsal before the summer season begins at the Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday 23rd June at 7.15pm.
The programme is a triple bill entitled 'Love and Loss' and will include the following three ballets:
Galantaries, music by Mozart, choreography by David Bintley. Aristic Director Birmingham Royal Ballet
The Dance House, music by Shostakovich, choreography by David Bintley
The Dream, music by Mendelssohn, choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton (based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream).
The evening will be a full Dress Rehearsal for their summer programme. Rotary will have 1000 seats in the circle. Tickets are £25.00 each and are available on www.rotaryconvention2009.com
The evening will start at 7.15pm and there will be two intervals during the evening. Please also note latecomers will not be allowed into the auditorium until a suitable break in the performance.
The Birmingham Hippodrome is one of Birmingham’s largest theatres and is also the country’s busiest, welcoming audiences of more than half a million people each year. Since its award winning £35 million redevelopment, the Birmingham Hippodrome is now one of the UK’s finest theatres. The theatre has a 1850 seat auditorium and a 120 cover restaurant.
Birmingham Royal Ballet - A brief history
It is 50 years since the Royal Charter was first bestowed, BRB is looking forward with renewed vigour and security. Following ten years of applause for David Bintley's creative leadership, the Company now has a wonderful home in the acclaimed new Birmingham Hippodrome complex, which includes a state-of-the-art theatre, the Jerwood Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Dance Injuries, and the Patrick Centre, a studio theatre for new work. The Company can also boast a new Chief Executive, Christopher Barron, who is presiding over a company now in a renewed position of important financial security.
Birmingham Royal Ballet was formed in 1990, when Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet moved to Birmingham. Everyone connected with the Company proudly celebrates the versatility and flexibility of an organisation that creates challenging new work alongside the classics.
For Bintley, it is standing on the shoulders of giants that allows a view into the future: 'The hallmark of the Royal Ballet Companies has always been a mixing of classical and more avant garde work. I feel very influenced by The Royal Ballet of the 1950s and 60s under Ninette de Valois; she said we must have one foot in the future and one in the past. Today this is crucially important, both nationally and internationally.'
BRB is welcomed enthusiastically around the world. The Company has recently completed successful tours to the USA, Hong Kong and South Africa, Japan and China in 2009 and plans to increase its international profile. Barron believes audiences, both at home and overseas, hunger after the classical history of the Company, the startling energy of its new work, and the unique pool of talent it contains, on stage, in the orchestra pit and behind the scenes. The arrival of Elmhurst School for Dance in Edgbaston, Birmingham in 2004 is another crucial plank in the Company’s determination to nurture and retain the best young dancers in the world.
BRB certainly has a devoted and growing audience in Birmingham and beyond. Bintley is particularly appreciative of this core support, and claims it is this loyalty and constancy that allows the Company to be adventurous. Both Bintley and Barron are passionate about the relationship with Birmingham and celebrate the way the Company has become secure and grounded in the life of the city. '15 years ago the only dance in this city was touring dance,' Barron says. 'Now it is an exciting home for creating dance and dancers.' For Bintley and his dedicated team the driving force remains the same as it was for Ninette de Valois when she founded the first company at Sadler’s Wells Theatre 75 years ago: dance. 'Of all the dance performing arts, ballet is the most diverse and the most popular,' Bintley concludes. 'From classics to the avant garde, from comedies to tragedies and abstraction, ballet does it all.'
Birmingham Royal Ballet - A chronology
1931
Ninette de Valois founds a company at Sadler's Wells Theatre. It is known as the Vic-Wells Ballet as it performs both at Sadler's Wells Theatre and the Old Vic Theatre in London.
1940
Sadler's Wells Theatre is bombed during the war and consequently the company begins to tour widely throughout the country. At this point the name of the company is changed to the Sadler's Wells Ballet.
1946
The Company is invited to become the resident company of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. De Valois therefore decides to found a second company called Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet at Sadler's Wells Theatre.
1951
Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet undertakes a highly successful tour of the USA.
1955
Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet temporarily loses its link with Sadler's Wells Theatre and bases itself with its sister company at the Royal Opera House.
1956
A Royal Charter is bestowed on both Companies and their joint school. The Sadler's Wells Ballet becomes The Royal Ballet and Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet becomes the Touring Company of The Royal Ballet.
1970
The Touring Company returns to base itself at Sadler's Wells Theatre, while continuing to tour the country.
1977
The Touring Company changes its name to Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, with Peter Wright as Director.
1987
Birmingham Hippodrome and Birmingham City Council invites Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet to re-locate to Birmingham.
1990
Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet moves to a new home in Birmingham and changes its name to Birmingham Royal Ballet.
1995
Peter Wright retires. David Bintley becomes Artistic Director.
1997
Birmingham Royal Ballet becomes independent of the Royal Opera House.
To find out more see www.brb.org.uk which carries interviews and features with members of the Company and visiting artists..
East meets West Variety Show – Symphony Hall
East Meets West Variety Show at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, will feature music, dance and other entertainment from Korea, and local Birmingham choirs and steel bands.
One of the highlights of the Show is the internationally acclaimed The Little Angels, Korea’s national folk ballet who convey through dance and songs the peace-loving spirit of the Korean people.. Described by the New York Times as a “A phenomenal company. There are few other folk companies that could match the flawless professionalism of The Little Angels.”
Founded in 1962 these charming young ladies have brought joy and beauty to millions of people throughout the world. In 49 international tours they have given more than 5,000 performances and 500 television appearances weaving a spell of oriental magic which held the audiences spellbound.
The Little Angels started with about 30 members, who travelled the world presenting the beautiful culture and arts inherited from their ancestors throughout the past 5000 years. Currently the company has about 150 members, dedicated and spirited young ladies aged from seven to fifteen who have been especially trained in Korean folk arts.
Tickets for East Meets West are £25 each and may be booked on www.rotaryconvention2009.com
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Symphony Hall opened in 1991 to immediate public and critical acclaim. With its world class acoustics and stunning auditorium it is considered to be not only the UK’s finest concert hall but also one of the best in the world.
Symphony Hall presents prestigious international orchestras and is also home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Complementing the classical programme is the best in jazz, world music, folk, rock, pop and stand-up comedy. The Hall also plays an important role in the life of the region and is regularly used for community events, graduation ceremonies and conferences. In all over 370,000 people attend around 320 events at Symphony Hall every year.
Its 2262-seat auditorium is a model of modern concert hall design and its superb acoustics, engineered by Artec Consultants Inc, New York, are the benchmark by which new concert halls are measured. In 2001 the Hall was completed with the installation of the 6000-pipe Symphony Organ.
For more information see www.thsh.co.uk
In the true spirit of Rotary, we shall see some wonderful international acts from around the world; music , dance and other wonderful entertainment by some of the world’s most talented performers.
