Help us stage Lo Spedale

Help us bring Lo Spedale, a recently re-discovered 17th century Italian comic opera, to life.

Four patients wait for a doctor that seems to have forgotten them. The parallels with our own time are surprising. Such is Antonio Abati's satire of healthcare, medicine and hypochondria, which has lost none of its wit and charm in the 350 years since it was written. 

Musica Antica Rotherhithe was founded in 2016 by local musicians Oliver Doyle and Jessica Eucker, with the aim of bringing regular performances of early music to SE16. Since then we have promoted the performance of 17th century operas on a scale not normally seen  outside established theatres, in particular those by Francesco Cavalli and Luigi Rossi. 

Our next and largest project to date will be a fully-staged production of a one-act Dramma Burlesco: Lo Spedale. Rediscovered by Dr Naomi Matsumoto (Goldsmiths University) and first performed by Solomon's Knot in 2015, this will be its second-ever staging in modern times, and the first in a faithful 17th century production, as part of the annual Illuminate Rotherhithe Festival, at Sands Films Studios, Rotherhithe, on 24th November 2018.

Tickets to this performance will be free, making art accessible to all, and showcasing a wonderful, historic community asset in an area that is ever-changing. 

We need to raise £5,000 to fully fund the project - paying for design and construction of the set, props, costumes, wigs and masks, and most importantly our musicians over a three month rehearsal period. Our forces are small but feature an excellent cast of young singers, and instrumentalists who have made their name in the performance of early music for the theatre.

The Doctor: Joachim Sabbat

The Four Patients:

Affliction of the Heart: Jessica Eucker
Affliction of the Mind: Tristram Cooke
Affliction of the Soul: Oliver Doyle
Affliction of the Wallet: Matthew O'Keeffe

Health/Masked Stranger: Kirsty Anderson

Theorbo: Peter Martin
Baroque Guitar: Richard MacKenzie
Viola da Gamba: Kate Conway

Designer: Imogen Aylwin
Italian Language Coach: Delia Fiordilino 

Donations of any size are gratefully received, and everyone will be credited in our programme and printed libretto. In thanks for especially generous support, we offer the following as tokens of our appreciation:

Donations of £50+ Contributes towards costume costs
A bound copy of the libretto, in a new parallel translation by Oliver Doyle and Delia Fiordilino.

Donations of £200+ Supports an instrumentalist's role
A copy of the libretto signed by the cast, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the stage, archives, costume store and workshop of Sands Films Studio.

Donations of £500+ Sponsors a leading role
The above, invitations to our rehearsals, guaranteed seats at our dress rehearsal, and regular updates on our progress.

Donations of £1,000+ Makes the performance available for all in English on surtitle screens during the performance
The above, and a private performance of Lo Spedale, to be arranged after the initial performance in November.*

Donations of £2,000+ Covers all set building, design and fitting costs
The above, and a performance of a chamber work of your choice, to be arranged after the initial performance in November.*

*Added travel (outside London) and costume costs may apply. 

For more information about our past concerts and events, or to join our mailing list, please visit our Musica Antica Rotherhithe Website.

With utmost thanks for your support,

Oliver & Jess
Musica Antica Rotherhithe