The opera revolution starts here
CHROMA has been the Associate Ensemble with “the future of opera” Tête à Tête since 2006, collaborating on many premieres, including those developed through the Opera Festival. Led by Artistic Director Bill Bankes-Jones and Music Director Timothy Burke Tête à Tête is a producing opera company, and through its productions and opera festivals works with all kinds of artists to develop the artform.
CHROMA at Tête a Tête : The Opera Festival - Errollyn Wallen From Eleanor to Sweet William
CHROMA’s DoodleOpera at Tête a Tête : The Opera Festival - Claudia Molitor/Elena Hull/Darren Abrahams/Stuart King/Loré Lixenberg
Tête a Tête : The Opera Festival - ID Please - Music: Soosan Lolavar Words: Daniel Hirsch
Tête a Tête’s Odysseus Unwound - Music: Julian Grant Words: Hattie Naylor
Tête a Tête’s April in the Amazon - Music: Laurence Osborn Words: Theo Merz
Tête a Tête’s Making Arrangements - Music: Charlotte Bray Words: Dr Kate Kennedy after Elizabeth Bowen
Tête a Tête’s The Last Seed - Music: Na’ama Zisser Words: Stella Duffy
Tête a Tête’s Darts Love - Music: Kerry Andrew Words: Tamsin Collison
THE CUMNOR AFFAIR
composed by Philip Cashian, libretto by Iain Pears
with Tête à Tête opera company November 2008
“Much of the character is within the tiny orchestra (CHROMA, half visible throughout), with wind instruments carrying the mystery, percussion the menace”
Nick Kimberley Evening Standard
“Cashian’s skill is to mke the true mystery that of the human heart. His score, for CHROMA’s tiny ensemble of seven players, conducted by Tim Murray, is an electrocardiogram of Dudley’s heart, torn between a wife he loves and a Queen he adores.
Counterpointing his own long lines, first of ennui, then of impassioned mourning, is a sinister spooking of percussion, and a tense cross-hatching of violin, cello, flute and clarinet, as the courtiers William Cecil and Sir Francis Walsingham play out their own equally dark and complex loyalties.”
Hilary Finch, The Times
BLIND DATE
six opera shorts, with Tête à Tête opera company November 2007
"expert playing from the ensemble CHROMA under Tim Murray's alert baton "
George Hall, The Guardian, Nov 2007
"The progeny of speed-dated librettists and composers as workshopped at Tete a Tete’s inaugural opera festival last August, Blind Date emerges now as polished full-length entertainment. Its six components, expertly projected by singers, ensemble and musical director Tim Murray are economically but memorably presented on a sparsely furnished open stage suffused with red light. "
David Gutman, The Stage, Nov 200
ODYSSEUS UNWOUND
composed by Julian Grant, libretto by Hattie Naylor
with Tête à Tête opera company, October-November 2006
"the top-notch chamber ensemble CHROMA"
Erica Jeal, The Guardian
"so beautifully played by CHROMA under Tim Murray, and so very well sung and acted that this shoe-string touring production is a must-see"
Anna Picard, The Independent