Review: Arya a concerto by Jasdeep Singh Degun & Orchestra of Opera North*

Award-winning sitarist and composer Jasdeep Singh Degun and the Orchestra of Opera North brought Arya, a concerto for sitar and orchestra, to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester recently.

In an unusual programme, the Chorus of Opera North later joined the orchestra to perform works from Verdi, Mozart, Purcell, Puccini, Sibelius and Ralph Vaughan Williams. This was the second date in a series of three, which see Conductor Harish Shankar make his debut with the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North.

A rising star of Indian classical and contemporary music, Jasdeep has performed internationally in many high-profile productions and at prestigious venues; was awarded a Sky Academy Scholarship involving mentorship by multi-instrumentalist and producer Nitin Sawhney and directed & performed in ‘George Harrison: the story of The Beatles and Indian music’.

Despite all this success, a quiet, gracious performer entered the Concert Hall and took his place at the front of the orchestra for the performance of Arya. This was my first experience of listening to a large live orchestra and I was only familiar with the sitar from The Beatles’ music and samples on dance tracks, so was unsure what to expect from this performance. As soon as the orchestra began playing, it was clear that this was to be something quite different, showcasing the range and versatility of the sitar as it both sat comfortably within the western orchestra and shone as the ‘star’ instrument at different times throughout the concerto.

During the first movement, the sitar seemed to invite the audience to follow it, as it imposed its style onto the orchestra. I was drawn into the music immediately – forgetting the location, the audience around me, and my thoughts of the day – so that the pause between movements, where Jasdeep tuned the sitar, took me a bit by surprise. The second movement was much faster and more dynamic, with the orchestra trying to take over and the sitar battling for its place amongst the music. I found myself smiling as two of the violins battled with the sitar and ended up confronting each other, as the sitar bowed out gracefully. I was also amazed by the physicality involved in the actual playing of the instrument. Sitting cross-legged, Jasdeep’s whole body was involved in bringing the sitar to life. The combinations of notes were sometimes breathtakingly fast, sharp and complex, and sometimes gentle enough to vibrate the strings into humming. He seemed to manage both; everything in between and the long spells of sustained playing with ease.

Throughout the concerto, no note seemed wasted or superfluous. All of the musicians seemed to understand each other’s instruments and their effects. The western orchestra played what I presume might have been unfamiliar styles and phrases sympathetically and beautifully and complemented or raised the sitar as required. This was acknowledged during the third movement, as the harmonies of the orchestra and the sitar raag (similar to scales in western music) seemed to find balance and ‘peace’ together. I experienced a range of emotions during this concerto – which isn’t something I’ve experienced with classical music before – and was absorbed throughout the whole piece.

The second half of the programme was comprised of earlier, shorter pieces of classical music, many of which may have been familiar to the concert-going audience. The orchestra was joined by the Chorus of Opera North for works by a range of composers. Although each piece seemed technically perfect, for me, this selection was not as interesting as the earlier concerto – and did not particularly complement it. This is just a matter of taste, however, and the addition of traditionally popular pieces into the evening’s music seems a clever and accessible way to encourage an audience to engage with new music and different styles.

Jasdeep explains: “the name ‘Arya’ in Sanskrit means ‘noble’, ‘honourable’, ‘precious’, or ‘valuable’. The idea behind the piece is that the sitar is the ‘noble’ and ‘honourable’ vessel which takes the audience on a journey..” For me, the ‘Arya’ was a precious and valuable experience and one that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

Programme
Arya, A Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra – Jasdeep Singh Degun (b. 1991)

Interval

La traviata Prelude – Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
The Magic Flute Priests’ Chorus – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91)
Dido and Aeneas ‘When I am laid in earth’; ‘With drooping wings’ – Henry Purcell (1659-95)
Madama Butterfly Humming Chorus – Giacometti Puccini (1858-1924)
The Swan of Tuolena – Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Serenade to Music – Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Orchestra of Opera North
Sitar: Jasdeep Singh Degun
Conductor: Harish Shankar
Orchestral arrangements (Arya): Daniel Saleeb

Chorus of Opera North
Chorus Master: Oliver Rundell
Mezzo-soprano: Cordelia Fish (Dido and Aeneas – ‘When I am laid in earth’)

Where is the next performance of Arya, a concerto for sitar and orchestra?

The next performance of Arya is at 7.30pm on Thursday, 19 March 2020, at City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Centre Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF 0121 616 6500

The programme lasts for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, including a short interval.

Tickets for this performance cost £12 – £18 and can be booked via this link or by contacting the CBSO Centre on the phone number above.

About The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)

The RNCM is a leading international conservatoire located in the heart of Manchester, with a reputation for attracting talented students, teachers, conductors and composers from all over the world.  Now in its fifth decade, the RNCM is relatively young, but its rich history spans back to 1893 when Sir Charles Hallé founded the Royal Manchester College of Music. In 1973, this institution merged with the Northern School of Music, and the RNCM was born. Today, the College is a thriving conservatoire with around 320 teaching staff and 880 students from nearly 60 different countries.

Complementing this role, the RNCM is also a vibrant live music venue offering unparalleled opportunities for students to perform regularly to public audiences and to work alongside professional musicians and visiting artists. Housing four major performance spaces, including a professionally-staffed, fully-equipped Theatre and recently refurbished Concert Hall, the College presents more than 400 concerts each year, ranging from RNCM orchestras and ensembles and large-scale opera productions to a host of touring companies and external hires.

RNCM, 124 Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9RD – info@rncm.ac.uk

About Opera North

Opera North is a national opera company based in Leeds, and is a leading UK arts organisation. Rooted in the North of England, international in outlook, they create extraordinary experiences, every day.  Their award-winning work tours to theatre stages and concert halls throughout the North and beyond, including to London and major international festivals, and they curate an eclectic artistic programme of gigs, concerts, spoken word and film in the Howard Assembly Room. Their aim is to make bold, innovative, ambitious work and share it in new ways. Opera North believes opera and music is for everyone and champions diversity in artists, repertoire and audiences. Opera North Education connects with communities and inspires each generation, aiming to enhance the health and well-being of people in the communities where we work through arts participation and performance.  Opera North is grateful for the generous support of Arts Council England and Leeds City Council, sponsorship from the private sector, trusts and individuals, the Friends of Opera North, the Opera North Future Fund and the box office income from its audiences, which allows us to continue to mount our award-winning work.

Review by: Sharon Corbally

You may also want to read this:

Review: Opera North’s La Bohème at The Lowry, Salford Quays

Review: Opera North’s Katya Kabanova at The Lowry in Manchester

Review: Opera North’s Madama Butterfly Arrives at The Lowry, Manchester

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.