The Works of Paul Corfield Godfrey and Volante Opera

[Ent]

Awhile has it been since a post here, but a couple things worth mentioning.

1. A Preorder will start soon, for Paul Corfield Godfrey's Variations and Episodes for Solo Piano by Paul Corfield Godfrey.:

This release contains several shippets from the music ultimately to be included in Paul's release of his The Lord Of the Rings opera.

Here's a link to listen to the 'preview' of the release, posted to YouTube:

Once I know how to engage with the 'pre-order' i'll post it here as well. (Being piano, and coming with a score, I fear i'm not going to be able to resist.)

2. The release of the full Lord Of the Rings opera draws ever nearer, with more of the participant voice recordings being completed now, and the 'mixing and matching' and all the details involved in "making it whole" continue.

If I'm not mistaken, the current targeted date for its release is during the first half of 2025. (I won't be able to resist this myself, either.)

So... there you have it.
The reports from many of the listeners to @paul corfield godfrey's music, ably brought to market by @simoncrosbybuttle, include two really pertinent comments (at least, for me.)

1. "Listeninng to this music and hearing the words, I can "see" the scenes come to life pictorially."
and;
2. "Listening to the music and hearing the words, with the mood Paul brings to the scenes through the music, I end up with entirely different perspectives regarding what the scenes are about, than I had originally envisioned."

To and for me, these are high accolades indeed - it means Paul is 'delivering' on his musical construction, and doing so very well.

(And I can attest, having listened to some of it myself in his Silmarillion work, both statements are true..!!)

Thought I'd let you know.

 

[Ent]

Long has it been since a post has been made to this thread.

Suffice it to say Paul Corfield Godfrey's The Lord of the Rings opera is now available.
The Hobbit is underwaqy. due out in 2026 I believe.
There are only a few copies of his Akallabeth remaining, so if you haven't gotten one, now may be the time.

There are other compilations in progress, soon to be released, as well.

Having heard snippets of the work along the way, Ent must confess it's incredible. Paul Corfield Godfrey is incredibly talented, the singers wonderful, Simon Buttle's work on mixing,, blending, and much more amazing, and the whole well worth having to listen to, share over tea (or ale) and cakes, and more.

 

[Ent]

Ent's Lord Of The Rings Paul Corfield Godfrey Opera (15 CDs) and Vocal Music
Scores are now on hand. Currently accompanying his commissioned Gandalf,
Sauron and Beorn artwork in his work cave. Music to be in the home cave soon.

 

[Ent]

For any interested, the Discord for The Music of Paul Corfield Godfrey is lighting up a wee bit with news about the upcoming The Hobbit opera Godfrey and team are now working on, for release in 2026.

Paul Corfield Godfrey remains among the most brilliant composers Ent has ever heard the products of, and Simon Buttle and the team he leads bringing Paul's works to us are exceptional as well. (To say nothing of the wonders of the voices in the opera and their handling of the delivery..!)

I can't recommend enough, for any who enjoy "Things Middle-earth," there is a great deal here to please..!

 

[Ent]

The recordings of The Silmarillion were made entirely by professional singers from Welsh National Opera, and we relied on their goodwill to realise the project undertaken on a voluntary basis.

And if ever there was a reason to support something, this is it..! To receive such magnificent works, as an act of sheer goodwill from so many professionals, is astounding.

if a situation or scene is not in the original then it does not exist in this adaptation.

And for those who are concerned about 'fanfic' types of situations, Simon notes this for us.
Now... this doesn't mean due to exigencies, costs, etc. someone may sing a like spoken by someone else in Tolkien's text... but the line exists in the text.
There is no manufacturing of non-Tolkien originated events and scenes, etc. in these works.

Added note: what putting Paul's music to some of the Tolkien scenes does to bring those scenes into stark relief, is astonishing.
The sarcasm of The Voice of Sauron, the Ent's attack at Orthanc - Paul has an incredible command of music and its ability to bring visuals to life.

 

[Ent]

Bringing Paul Corfield Godfrey's works back to mind - the release of The Hobbit looms ever nearer.

Tree has started writing up extended biographies for ALL the cast and crew involved, for Silmarillion - LoTR - and The Hobbit.
There will be a 'master book' of all the players, and an easy sorting will provide ability for "individual books" fitting to each of the individual Opera cycles as well.

(There are shorter Bios for many of the players on Volante Opera Productions' home page, and these will be updated as well - though remain briefer than in the upcoming work being done.

So... there it is. Interesting things afoot, and always interesting discussion on the works on their Discord.

 

[Ent]

The "Cast List" is compiled, and will soon be refined. This is the foundation of the Biographies. It will be "Appendix A" in the bigger work covering the whole Opera Cycle. There are a total of 38 singers, most appearing in 2, many in all 3, of the Operas.

The "Tolkien Characters List" is also compiled, and in refinement. It will be "Appendix B" in the bigger work. A total of 159 Tolkien characters make their appearances throughout the scores.

These lists are set up so they can easily be refined to match each individual Opera, as the need for a 'booklet' may present itself.

Once Tree refines the list, makes sure he's not Ooopsed any spellings, has all the right little marks on the characters' names, etc., he'll get on with the writing of the Biographies.

Two things to note:
1. There is a good deal of information about the Cast available, so we get to learn a bit about them beyond just their 'name and who they play in the operas.' The problem will be "too much information" rather than "too little information" in many cases.

2. Many of these performers also perform in other Paul Corfield Godfrey works beyond just the Tolkien Operas. Very well worth picking up the other works as well. And you can hear some of their voices in other performances on the Volante Opera Productions website, where many clips are available to listen to. Very nice stuff. (These extra performances will be noted in the Bios as well, but Tree hasn't brought them into the Appendices yet.)

A Final Comment:
Tree always finds it instructive and fun to do projects similar to this. However this one carries something a bit scary.....
In putting this together, Tree is needing to find out more about all these ELVES running around, who they're related to, and such..!
It's like being swept into the center of the "Chaoticness" thread...!

Anyway, if you're really interested in singing, Opera, music, sound mixing, etc. please feel free to join in at the Discord. Things are always being discussed, questions of any kind can be asked, and we have easy access to not only Paul Corfield Godfrey, the Composer, but Simon Crosby Buttle, the Director, Sound Mixer, and a whole forest full of other roles.

Tree is personally furthering his 'music education' and 'music appreciation education' through the Site (and other tools recommended) along the way.

Paul Corfield Godfrey Music Home page: https://www.paulcorfieldgodfrey.co.uk/
Paul Corfield Godfrey Discord link: https://discord.com/invite/J6bQFHygr7
Volante Opera Productions: https://www.volanteopera.wales/


p.s. - we have also just started a "Read and Listen" of the full Lord of the Rings book and music score, discussing Paul's work and how it works together with the book, giving us new and different perspectives on Tolkien's work. It's astonishing how intent set to music can enhance or change a perception built based solely on words.

Paul has a very good grasp of Tolkien's works and his intended vision and impact for the scenes he wrote.

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

In putting this together, Tree is needing to find out more about all these ELVES running around, who they're related to, and such..!
It's like being swept into the center of the "Chaoticness" thread...!

Jokes aside, this all sounds incredible, Ent! If you ever require any Elven assistance, I would be delighted to provide any such considerations!😄

 

[Ent]

@Glorfindel Goldtress - dumb question... do you lurk on the PCG discord by chance?

There may be some helpful ways to 'divide and conquer' - i.e. organize stuff to help.
And if Tree could get himself organized, and leverage some 'gathering and organizing' resources, we might be able to complete the full writing scope earlier... as well as put together the 'shortened Biography versions' for posting to the Website more quickly.

If there's interest, Tree will put a little thought into this tonight.

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

@Glorfindel Goldtress - dumb question... do you lurk on the PCG discord by chance?

Yours is a valid question-- as I have yet to join the server itself. I would be happy to do so if such is more convenient. I'd be interested in providing info/adding to character facts/etc. however is needed!

(My turn for the dumb question-- Where might I find the link for it?😅)

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

(My turn for the dumb question-- Where might I find the link for it?😅)

Ent posted the link for the Discord server a couple posts above here (above your "beautiful chaos" one), along with the links to the PCG and Volante websites.

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

Ent posted the link for the Discord server a couple posts above here (above your "beautiful chaos" one), along with the links to the PCG and Volante websites.

Edit: I have now found my way there. 😐

 

[Ent]

Assistance needed would include:
1. Online research of the Performers involved in the productions, and building a bit more in depth "Who are they" than the standard, sanitized type of Performer Bio we usually see. Something helping us to "know the person" a little more. (You can see the 'sanitized' type bios on the Volante website, pkosted above.) There's a good deal of information, but it's often scattered across different places. Nothing TOO in-depth, but still, more than "This is Beschmirtmick McGurk. He's a Tenor, thank you very much."
So:
--- pull together information
--- piece together a Bio draft
--- present it to Tree for review/edit/finalization.

2. Work out updated but slightly better 'sanitized Bios' to present and recommend as replacements for the stuff on the Volante site. Some of those are seriously out of date, and they're all (in Tree's opinion) rather antiseptic, and could be brightened up just a little bit.

3. Review Ent's current "Tolkien Characters" lists, and make sure we've got all the character names in there with their proper little tilde's and such as Tolkien has them. Tree just crammed them in without care for their proper form. (Like Ugluk vs. Uglúk etc.)

Any help would be appreciated.

It isn't "necessary" for us to work through the Discord. But who knows, you might enjoy participating in the discussions, etc. - even listening to some of the available music, and who knows, buying into the Operas (and other productions) if you haven't already. (I know you're writing inclined... just not sure about music inclined..!) (insert huge grin here.)

 

[Ent]

@Glorfindel Goldtress - if you're definitely willing to participate in this, let me know. This weekend I'll get stuff prepared with some kind of informal 'instructions' as an initial guide, and kick a couple things your way to get started with.

If anyone else would like to help with a little research, writing, and reviewing, manpower, please let me know. We'll bring this project together together. We can set up a PM for the 'crew' to communicate in here on TTF if wish. Or we can all be on the PCG Forum, 'friend' each other, and set up a DM there. (Apparently on the Discord everyone needs to be 'friends' to particupate in multiple-person messaging.)

Thanks for confirming your interest to me, so I know how to plan.

 

[Ent]

Paul Corfield Godfrey's Musical Chapters From The Hobbit" is now up for pre-order, with delivery scheduled in September this year.
Cover art for the Muslcal Score and CD set are:
Those who are on the Paul Corfield Godfrey Discord and a bit active/participative, can receive a 10% discount - but you'd need to act soon, to become a member of the discord and do a little participating to be eliglble during the pre-order period.

 

[Ent]

Just leaving a shout-out to the incredible research work being done by Volante Opera Productions on the history and depth of musical talent within the Tolkien family, which included composers, lyracists, publishers, ingers, piano makers, and more.

As "our" Tolkien himself said writing to William Galbraith in 1956, “I come of a musical family. I am musically defective – I listen to it with delight and am tonally sensitive; but without technical knowledge. I bitterly regret that I cannot invent a tune; but naturally tunes or garbled versions of them run in my mind.”

All things fitting together, recordings and a book are being considered to bring us more of the legacy of the name Tolkien in its intricate detail.

Some information can be found at the below links:

The Piano Makers: An exploration of the musical history of the Tolkien family – IAML (UK & Irl)

iaml-uk-irl.org

The Piano Makers | Volante

Information on our research and recording project centred around the Tolkien family in the 1800-early 1900s.

www.volanteopera.wales