Alison Balsom at the Globe
The talented trumpeter is performing in Gabriel at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, exploring the history of the valveless trumpet in the context of late 17th century London. Take a look inside this iconic building, and see the trumpet through Alison's eyes.
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1. Alison Balsom in Gabriel
In full period costume, with a natural valveless trumpet, Alison Balsom is making waves with her latest musical-theatrical production, working with the award-winning writer Samuel Adamson.
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2. The natural trumpet
The new production, Gabriel, explores the notion that the natural, valveless trumpet was the supreme musical instrument of the Restoration - making the most powerful sound possible at the time!
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3. Alison Balsom demonstrates the trumpet
A modern trumpet player uses a combination of mouth shape and valves to create different notes on the instrument, but the valveless trumpet does just what it says on the tin - because there are no valves to change the notes, it's notoriously difficult to play.
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4. Alison Balsom in costume
As well as seeing Alison Balsom in full period dress, the plot of the play includes kings, queens, trumpet makers, and every day folk from 17th century London. Expect some fabulous costumes!
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5. Natural trumpet and theorbo duet
Alison performs on stage at the Globe theatre with another period instrument: a theorbo. It's a plucked string instrument in the lute family.
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6. On stage at the Globe
Alison chose the Globe because of its history and brilliant acoustic. The building is made of a lot of wood, creating the perfect environment for a valveless trumpet performance.
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7. Lucy Coward and Alison Balsom
Classic FM's Lucy Coward went down to the Globe Theatre to speak to Alison about the project, ahead of a special programme on Monday 27 May.
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8. Period performance at the Globe
While there are plenty of seats for the audience, should they wish to sit down, one of the features of the Globe Theatre is being one of the 'groundlings'. In the 17th century, the poorest theatre-goers payed one penny to stand up in the pit and watch the play.
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9. Sunshine at the Globe Theatre
Alison Balsom stopped off at the Globe Theatre to take a look - and spotted her picture on the side of the wall! She posted this sunny picture on Twitter: "Apart from the fact I have a garden on my head I'm VERY chuffed with this positioning!" (Picture: @AliBalsom)
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10. Alison Balsom in costume
We don't think it looks like a 'garden' at all! A beautiful flower garland, complemented by the star of the show, Alison Balsom - and the natural trumpet.
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11. Alison shares her love of the trumpet
"If you think about it, at the time, the trumpet was an incredibly powerful piece of equipment," Alison explained to Lucy Coward. "There was nothing that could create a sound that powerful and that terrifying."
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12. On stage at the Globe Theatre
Giving us a view of the historic building, Alison takes to the stage to play pieces by Handel and Purcell. Take a look at the wonderfully ornate ceiling.
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13. Alison Balsom explains the motivation for Gabriel
Alison explained the motivation behind the project: "It started with a recording I made of music by Purcell and Handel, and it was really important to me that I played on this trumpet, which is a natural trumpet, very different from the modern piccolo trumpet."
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14. Trumpet music of the time
"I've had a lot of meetings with the playwright, Samuel Adamson, who's an incredibly talented and experienced playwright, and talked so much about the essence of what I feel the trumpet can do, and what the music of the time can convey."
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15. Alison Balsom on the early stages of Gabriel
When Alison was planning the project and looking for a venue, Shakespeare's Globe came to mind immediately: "I think the trumpet can work in this building because it's all wood, and the trumpet sounds so great in a wooden structure."
