About us
Transpose
//tranzˈpəʊz//
-Transfer to a different place or context.
-Cause (two or more things) to exchange places.
-Write or play (music) in a different key from the original.
Transposed is a dynamic new ensemble exploring the powerful relationship between live performance and the space in which it comes to life. Transposed invites audiences to step into the frame and experience a new approach to Classical music.
Their Try Me, Good King 2019 UK tour was featured in the York Press and was one of the Alternative Classical 'must-see' recommendations for Autumn 2019. The tour was also featured by The Tudor Travel Guide, All Things Tudor, The Anne Boleyn Society and Adventures of a Tudor Nerd.
Transposed are grateful for the generous sponsorship York Gin.
creative team
Eleanor Penfold - Soprano and Founder of Transposed
// www.eleanorpenfold.com // Instagram: @eleanorpenfold //
"I first came across the stunning Try Me, Good King song cycle by Libby Larsen during my postgraduate degree at the Royal College of Music in London. I was completely blown away by the power of the work and the life it gave to the letters and speeches of Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard. Far from the well known list, 'divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived,' these songs give visceral energy and humanity to each woman's testament and individual voice. I was inspired to go further with these songs and see each of the women in their Tudor dress and setting, giving audiences an even more immersive experience. The rest of the evening features an array of Shakespearean women including Lady Macbeth and Titania as well as a celebration of other well-known Shakespearean texts and anonymous Elizabethan love songs."
Eleanor Penfold is a classical soprano and founder of Transposed. Eleanor has performed across Europe at the BBC Proms as well as the Paris Opera, English Touring Opera and at the Waterperry Opera Festival, where she was praised in Opera Magazine as having ‘the vocal equipment to dazzle’ for her portrayal of Donna Anna in Mozart's Don Giovanni. A recent career highlight for Eleanor has been preparing the iconic role of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's The Magic Flute for Hurn Court Opera and Waterperry Opera Festival.
Winner of the Schubert Song Prize (London Song Festival), Eleanor graduated from the Royal College of Music where she received a Ruth West Scholarship. Eleanor gratefully aknowledges support from Talent Unlimited and the support she receives as a Britten-Pears Young Artist, ENOA Young Artist and Iford New Generation Artist.
Eleanor Kornas - Pianist
"Ever since being a child I have been fascinated by the Tudor period, and with Elizabeth I in particular. This fascination led to me reading many children’s history books, at the age of 7 declaring to my parents over dinner ‘Did you know that Elizabeth I lived in fear of the axe?!’ without really understanding what that phrase meant, and, also aged 7, trying to paint a copy of a portrait of her. I was astonished when just over 10 years later, starting university, I found myself face to face with the original of that portrait at Trinity College, Cambridge."
After studying at Chetham's School of Music for nine years, Eleanor read Music at the University of Cambridge, becoming a Senior Scholar and winning the Donald Wort Prize for academia. She also accompanied Trinity College Chapel Choir for three recordings of music by Leighton, Ešenvalds and Howells, all nominated for Gramophone awards. Having been the first female Organ Scholar of Trinity College, Eleanor received the Forbes-Dunlop Grant from the Women’s Careers Foundation which enabled Eleanor to work as an Adami Award Junior Fellow at the Royal College of Music. Eleanor then offered cover as Staff Accompanist at Chetham's School of Music before returning to London as a Piano Accompaniment Fellow at the Royal College of Music and a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Foyle Future Firsts Development Programme. Eleanor is now the Head of Keyboard Studies at Queen Margaret's School, York, whilst continuing to enjoy a busy musical life both nationally and internationally as a soloist, chamber musician and duo partner, supported by the Tunnel Trust and Park Lane Group.
Transposed is grateful to York Theatre Royal for the hire of a costume for our pianist Eleanor Kornas.
Victoria Rodriguez - Costume Designer and Maker
// www.vroduk.wixsite.com/mysite // Instagram: @vrodriguezcostume //
"I grew up idolising historical feminist figures and being taught the power they had that’s been written out by men and forgotten over the centuries. I fell in love with the Tudors and specifically the female courtiers and wives of Henry VIII; how they flourished and fell during this iconic monarchy and I couldn’t help but find out more and more information to the point where my obsession took me into my career. The detail and level of research to find out theses fascinating characters of the past helped me to create my own through Costume. I love clothes especially period fashion and the story each garment tells of its era and of who wore it."
"Having just graduated in Costume Design from Wimbledon college of Arts my experience ranges from film, theatre, live performance and opera which has become a new love of mine. Having the opportunity to help out an incredibly talented singer and design and make for my favourite period in time has been an incredible experience. With the help of my colleague Brontë Mcfadyean who made the incredible Tudor gown, I helped to style it to the performance and made headdresses to help create new characters within the production. I’m hoping that our creations help add to the mesmerizing atmosphere and draw you into a magical night of music and history!"
Brontë McFadyean - Costume Designer and Maker
// www.brontebespoke.com // Instagram: @bronte_bespoke //
"I love the history of the Tudor era and from a costume perspective, the details and embellishments that go into grand garments. Such a show of wealth and character can be seen through their clothing and such rich fabrics and imagery really help to tell a story."
"As a recent Costume Interpretation graduate from UAL, Wimbledon, I have progressed my costume career into stage and prop costume. My personal and professional interests include a range of traditional and modern techniques, from hand embroidery and beading to working with new fabrics to almost sculpt a costume. With a range of skills at my disposal I welcome any challenge with the ambition of furthering my knowledge.
My involvement in Try Me, Good King was the making of the red silk Tudor dress worn throughout the performance."
