Jane Anderson-Brown - Director - Red Earth Opera
Jane studied flute and singing at York University, later taking a masters degree in performance studies (singing) at Reading University. Her extensive and varied singing career includes such things as a Pink Floyd tribute band, creating major roles in community operas for Stephen McNeff and Howard Moody, and recital, oratorio and opera performances all over the country and in Europe. Opera roles in full productions include Nellie (No Song No Supper), Belinda and Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Sesto (Clemenza di Tito) Second Lady (Magic Flute), Arsena (Gypsy Baron), Niklausse (The Tales of Hoffman), most of the G&S sopranos, and other Sullivan rarities of Dorcas (Haddon Hall), Heart's Delight (The Rose of Persia) and Julia Jellicoe (The Grand Duke). She has continued playing the flute, and has added the saxophone and clarinet to her portfolio of instruments.
Her first show as a musical director was almost 20 years ago, and since then she has worked with many societies, both in full shows and in concert. In 2012 she founded the Torbay Jubilee Choir at the request of the council, and since then has been musical director of a number of groups. She currently directs New Century Singers (Bovey Tracey), Cantilena (Broadclyst). In 2022 she was invited to musically direct "The Gondoliers" for Duchy Opera, and has been invited back for their 2023 double bill of "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Trial by Jury".
Jane teaches singing, woodwinds, piano and general music, and directs musicians of all ages in a variety of settings. She continues to perform, and is a regular recitalist and concert soloist. She directed and sang Dido for Red Earth Opera's inaugural performance in 2014. In 2019 she worked with Wren Music and local schools to write songs for the "Sing Around the Bay" project.
For more information, please visit http://janeandersonbrown.weebly.com or https://www.facebook.com/jane.andersonbrownmusic
Jane studied flute and singing at York University, later taking a masters degree in performance studies (singing) at Reading University. Her extensive and varied singing career includes such things as a Pink Floyd tribute band, creating major roles in community operas for Stephen McNeff and Howard Moody, and recital, oratorio and opera performances all over the country and in Europe. Opera roles in full productions include Nellie (No Song No Supper), Belinda and Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Sesto (Clemenza di Tito) Second Lady (Magic Flute), Arsena (Gypsy Baron), Niklausse (The Tales of Hoffman), most of the G&S sopranos, and other Sullivan rarities of Dorcas (Haddon Hall), Heart's Delight (The Rose of Persia) and Julia Jellicoe (The Grand Duke). She has continued playing the flute, and has added the saxophone and clarinet to her portfolio of instruments.
Her first show as a musical director was almost 20 years ago, and since then she has worked with many societies, both in full shows and in concert. In 2012 she founded the Torbay Jubilee Choir at the request of the council, and since then has been musical director of a number of groups. She currently directs New Century Singers (Bovey Tracey), Cantilena (Broadclyst). In 2022 she was invited to musically direct "The Gondoliers" for Duchy Opera, and has been invited back for their 2023 double bill of "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Trial by Jury".
Jane teaches singing, woodwinds, piano and general music, and directs musicians of all ages in a variety of settings. She continues to perform, and is a regular recitalist and concert soloist. She directed and sang Dido for Red Earth Opera's inaugural performance in 2014. In 2019 she worked with Wren Music and local schools to write songs for the "Sing Around the Bay" project.
For more information, please visit http://janeandersonbrown.weebly.com or https://www.facebook.com/jane.andersonbrownmusic
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Anna Gregory
Soloist Kings and Crowns 2023 Soloist A Night of Opera and Song 2022 |
Grace Lovelass
Soloist Spring and Hope 2022
Tisbe (Cinderella) 2018
Grace Lovelass is an operatic mezzo soprano whose roles include Adalgisa (Norma), Olga (Eugene Onegin) and Tisbe (La Cenerentola).
Grace is a concert soloist, most recently premiering the role of Mary Magdalene in a new Passion setting under the baton ofDavid Ogden and the City of Bristol Choir. An energetic show-woman, she frequently presents programmes of opera, musical theatre and comedy song to sell-out audiences and is currently working on her first one-woman show, Graceful!.
Grace emerged from the pandemic as the opera-singing Queen Bee in Exit the Queen – last year’s fringe creation from Brighton Theatre. During lockdown, she joined the cast for the Virtual Opera Project andLondon Philharmonic Orchestra‘s award-winning production of L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. Grace has performed under the direction of Pamela Howard OBE in a celebration of Bernstein in Chichester and singspiel scenario The Ballad of the Cosmo Café.
Grace studied opera at the Associated Studios and has a degree in Classics from King’s College London. She is also an artist and illustrator, with designs available at RedBubble. A dancer, rower and triathlete, Grace became an Ironman finisher last summer in Vichy, France.
Soloist Spring and Hope 2022
Tisbe (Cinderella) 2018
Grace Lovelass is an operatic mezzo soprano whose roles include Adalgisa (Norma), Olga (Eugene Onegin) and Tisbe (La Cenerentola).
Grace is a concert soloist, most recently premiering the role of Mary Magdalene in a new Passion setting under the baton ofDavid Ogden and the City of Bristol Choir. An energetic show-woman, she frequently presents programmes of opera, musical theatre and comedy song to sell-out audiences and is currently working on her first one-woman show, Graceful!.
Grace emerged from the pandemic as the opera-singing Queen Bee in Exit the Queen – last year’s fringe creation from Brighton Theatre. During lockdown, she joined the cast for the Virtual Opera Project andLondon Philharmonic Orchestra‘s award-winning production of L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. Grace has performed under the direction of Pamela Howard OBE in a celebration of Bernstein in Chichester and singspiel scenario The Ballad of the Cosmo Café.
Grace studied opera at the Associated Studios and has a degree in Classics from King’s College London. She is also an artist and illustrator, with designs available at RedBubble. A dancer, rower and triathlete, Grace became an Ironman finisher last summer in Vichy, France.
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Alex Poulton
Soloist Spring and Hope 2022 Dr Dulcamara - The Love Potion 2019 English baritone Alex Poulton has performed in recital and opera in major festivals throughout Europe and in many of the worlds leading concert venues. He has sung roles with Grange Park Opera, Longborough Festival Opera, Scottish Ballet, Columbia Artists, U.S tours; Midwales Opera, Chiswick House Opera Festival: London, Focus Opera, Opera Budapest, Opera by Definition, Court Opera and The Zeist Opera Festival, Netherlands. Forthcoming performances include a dramatized U.K. tour of Man is for the Woman Made by Henry Purcell for Opera Ridotto, The Marquis from The Carmélites by Poulenc with Mid Summer Opera: London, Winterreise at The Priory with pianist Alex Wilson for the Literary Festival, Exeter and short revival tour of The Secret Policeman in The Consul for Staircase Opera, Recent performances include The Bear for City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Count Almaviva for Somerset Opera, Figaro (Barber), Guglielmo, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus, Doctor and the Marquis in La Traviata at Chiswick Opera House, London, El Dan Cairo and Morales with Slaithwaite Philharmonic. Alex is also in high demand as a recitalist with a busy diary for the forthcoming year. He performs recitals for The Elgar Society, The Arthur Bliss Society, Arts in residence and has sung in recital at The de Doelen and The Wigmore Hall. Alex also runs two successful vocal practices, composes and produces his own operas and is the vocal coach for several choral societies and professional choirs. |
Camilla Foster Mitchell
Soloist - Gloria! (Create to Recover) 2020
Servilia (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Camilla Foster Mitchell continues to enjoy singing in the UK and abroad in operas and concerts. Opera highlights include Susanna The Marriage of Figaro, Pamina The Magic Flute, Adina The Elixir of Love, Hero Beatrice et Benedict, and last summer singing Mimi La Boheme for the Arte Lirica Festival in Italy. Recent concerts have included Mozart Requiem, Rutter Requiem, Haydn Nelson Mass, a concert with the cross over group 'Blake', and Haydn Paukenmesse. When she is not singing, she teaches music in Dorset. Camilla is excited to return to Red Earth Opera having sung the role of Servilia in La clemenza di Tito in 2017.
Soloist - Gloria! (Create to Recover) 2020
Servilia (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Camilla Foster Mitchell continues to enjoy singing in the UK and abroad in operas and concerts. Opera highlights include Susanna The Marriage of Figaro, Pamina The Magic Flute, Adina The Elixir of Love, Hero Beatrice et Benedict, and last summer singing Mimi La Boheme for the Arte Lirica Festival in Italy. Recent concerts have included Mozart Requiem, Rutter Requiem, Haydn Nelson Mass, a concert with the cross over group 'Blake', and Haydn Paukenmesse. When she is not singing, she teaches music in Dorset. Camilla is excited to return to Red Earth Opera having sung the role of Servilia in La clemenza di Tito in 2017.
Louise Mott
Soloist - Gloria! (Create to Recover) 2020
Cinderella (Cinderella) 2018
Sesto (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Lucia (Cavalleria Rusticana) 2016
Louise Mott studied at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal College of Music (Opera Course), before completing her training at the National Opera Studio. She made her débuts at English National Opera as Bradamante Alcina, Welsh National Opera as Annio La Clemenza di Tito and Opera North as Annina Der Rosenkavalier, followed by Fidalma Il matrimonio segreto and 2nd Witch (& Dido cover) Dido and Aeneas. She sang Ariodante (title role) for English Touring Opera and Mme Larina Eugene Onegin for Scottish Opera on Tour. For the Early Opera Company she has sung Edith Alfred (Thomas Arne), Agrippina (title role), Ruggiero Alcina, Ariodante (title role), Sesto Giulio Cesare, Orlando (title role), Rosmira Partenope, Melissa Amadigi, Serse and Dido Dido and Aeneas. Other roles include Meg Page Falstaff for Diva Opera and Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, Second Lady The Magic Flute and Marcellina The Marriage of Figaro for Opera Project, Katarina Schratt Mayerling for The Royal Ballet at The Royal Opera House. Other roles for Diva Opera include Count Orlofsky Die Fledermaus, The Marchise of Birkenfeld La fille du Regiment, Zweite Dame Die Zauberflöte, Flora Bervoix La Traviata and Nicklausse Les Contes d'Hoffmann.
Recent engagements included Elgar's The Kingdom, Bach's St Matthew Passion and Messiah (Mozart edition) at Truro Cathedral, Bach's B Minor Mass at Exeter Cathedral, Mrs Grose The Turn of the Screw for Seastar Opera, a recital for the 100th Anniversary of the original Glastonbury Festivals, Mrs Segstrom A Little Night Music for Opera Project, Ottavia (cover) The Coronation of Poppea for Opera North, Waltraute Die Walküre for Secret Opera, Alisa Lucia di Lammermoor and Marcellina Le Nozze di Figaro for Diva Opera and Nicklausse/Muse The Tales of Hoffmann (and Charlotte (cover) Werther) for English Touring Opera, Verdi Requiem at Oxford Town Hall, Mayor's Wife Jenůfa for Opera Project at Longborough Festival Opera, Tisbe in La Cenerentola for Diva Opera and Sesto in La Clemenza di Tito for Red Earth Opera.
Plans for 2018 include Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and The Witch in Hansel and Gretel for Diva Opera, as well as concerts and recitals across the UK.
For more information, visit: http://www.louisemott.net
Soloist - Gloria! (Create to Recover) 2020
Cinderella (Cinderella) 2018
Sesto (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Lucia (Cavalleria Rusticana) 2016
Louise Mott studied at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal College of Music (Opera Course), before completing her training at the National Opera Studio. She made her débuts at English National Opera as Bradamante Alcina, Welsh National Opera as Annio La Clemenza di Tito and Opera North as Annina Der Rosenkavalier, followed by Fidalma Il matrimonio segreto and 2nd Witch (& Dido cover) Dido and Aeneas. She sang Ariodante (title role) for English Touring Opera and Mme Larina Eugene Onegin for Scottish Opera on Tour. For the Early Opera Company she has sung Edith Alfred (Thomas Arne), Agrippina (title role), Ruggiero Alcina, Ariodante (title role), Sesto Giulio Cesare, Orlando (title role), Rosmira Partenope, Melissa Amadigi, Serse and Dido Dido and Aeneas. Other roles include Meg Page Falstaff for Diva Opera and Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, Second Lady The Magic Flute and Marcellina The Marriage of Figaro for Opera Project, Katarina Schratt Mayerling for The Royal Ballet at The Royal Opera House. Other roles for Diva Opera include Count Orlofsky Die Fledermaus, The Marchise of Birkenfeld La fille du Regiment, Zweite Dame Die Zauberflöte, Flora Bervoix La Traviata and Nicklausse Les Contes d'Hoffmann.
Recent engagements included Elgar's The Kingdom, Bach's St Matthew Passion and Messiah (Mozart edition) at Truro Cathedral, Bach's B Minor Mass at Exeter Cathedral, Mrs Grose The Turn of the Screw for Seastar Opera, a recital for the 100th Anniversary of the original Glastonbury Festivals, Mrs Segstrom A Little Night Music for Opera Project, Ottavia (cover) The Coronation of Poppea for Opera North, Waltraute Die Walküre for Secret Opera, Alisa Lucia di Lammermoor and Marcellina Le Nozze di Figaro for Diva Opera and Nicklausse/Muse The Tales of Hoffmann (and Charlotte (cover) Werther) for English Touring Opera, Verdi Requiem at Oxford Town Hall, Mayor's Wife Jenůfa for Opera Project at Longborough Festival Opera, Tisbe in La Cenerentola for Diva Opera and Sesto in La Clemenza di Tito for Red Earth Opera.
Plans for 2018 include Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and The Witch in Hansel and Gretel for Diva Opera, as well as concerts and recitals across the UK.
For more information, visit: http://www.louisemott.net
Edwina Strobl
Stage Director - Cinderella 2018 and
L'Elisir d'Amore 2019
Edwina Strobl is the Artistic Director of London based production company Flugelman Productions. She was a StoneCrabs Young Director 2016-17 and received an MA in Text and Performance from Birkbeck and RADA. Edwina worked as Assistant Director on Bury Court Opera’s 2018 production of Giulio Cesare in Egitto, assisting Greg Eldridge.
As Director: N89 (Matchstick Theatre); When the Friendship has Sailed (C Venues, Edinburgh Fringe 2018, Weird Sisters Theatre Co); Boxman (UK tour including Blue Elephant Theatre, Brighton Fringe and Ventnor Fringe, Flugelman); The Poetry We Make (Vault Festival, RADA Festival, Old Red Lion, Flugelman); Season To Taste (56 St James, Flugelman); Hecastus (King’s College London); Chatroom (St. Dunstan's College); Nuns (Etcetera Theatre, Perform and Give). As Assistant Director: Day Job (Bread and Roses Theatre, Fanny Pack); Fur Elise (Brazilian Embassy); I am not Antigone (RADA Festival, The Zeitgeist Chorus).
Stage Director - Cinderella 2018 and
L'Elisir d'Amore 2019
Edwina Strobl is the Artistic Director of London based production company Flugelman Productions. She was a StoneCrabs Young Director 2016-17 and received an MA in Text and Performance from Birkbeck and RADA. Edwina worked as Assistant Director on Bury Court Opera’s 2018 production of Giulio Cesare in Egitto, assisting Greg Eldridge.
As Director: N89 (Matchstick Theatre); When the Friendship has Sailed (C Venues, Edinburgh Fringe 2018, Weird Sisters Theatre Co); Boxman (UK tour including Blue Elephant Theatre, Brighton Fringe and Ventnor Fringe, Flugelman); The Poetry We Make (Vault Festival, RADA Festival, Old Red Lion, Flugelman); Season To Taste (56 St James, Flugelman); Hecastus (King’s College London); Chatroom (St. Dunstan's College); Nuns (Etcetera Theatre, Perform and Give). As Assistant Director: Day Job (Bread and Roses Theatre, Fanny Pack); Fur Elise (Brazilian Embassy); I am not Antigone (RADA Festival, The Zeitgeist Chorus).
Helen Bailey
Adina (L'Elisir d'Amore) 2019
Vitellia (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Helen Bailey, soprano, was born in the North East of England and is a graduate of Royal Academy Opera, Trinity College of Music, and Liverpool John Moores University. She is the recipient of the inaugural Buxton Festival Young Artists Bursary, was a finalist in the 2013 Association of English Singers and Speakers competition, and was awarded the 2011 Ernest Butcher prize during her studies at The Royal Academy of Music. Helen enjoys a busy schedule of opera, oratorio, and recital engagements, appearing regularly as a soloist with Botley, Ember, Hampton, and Sutton Valance choral societies, Bromley Oecumenical Singers, and Seventy Chamber Choir. She has sung principal roles for Ryedale Festival Opera (Pamina, The Magic Flute), St. Endellion festival (Waltraute, Die Walküre), and Blackheath Halls Opera (Gianetta, L’elisir d’amore), and covered principal roles for Buxton Festival Opera (title roles in Beethoven's Leonore and Verdi's Giovanna d'arco), British Youth Opera (Elisetta, Il matrimonio segreto), and Opera Plus (Fiordiligi, Così fan tutte).
For more information, please visit www.helenbailey.org
Adina (L'Elisir d'Amore) 2019
Vitellia (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Helen Bailey, soprano, was born in the North East of England and is a graduate of Royal Academy Opera, Trinity College of Music, and Liverpool John Moores University. She is the recipient of the inaugural Buxton Festival Young Artists Bursary, was a finalist in the 2013 Association of English Singers and Speakers competition, and was awarded the 2011 Ernest Butcher prize during her studies at The Royal Academy of Music. Helen enjoys a busy schedule of opera, oratorio, and recital engagements, appearing regularly as a soloist with Botley, Ember, Hampton, and Sutton Valance choral societies, Bromley Oecumenical Singers, and Seventy Chamber Choir. She has sung principal roles for Ryedale Festival Opera (Pamina, The Magic Flute), St. Endellion festival (Waltraute, Die Walküre), and Blackheath Halls Opera (Gianetta, L’elisir d’amore), and covered principal roles for Buxton Festival Opera (title roles in Beethoven's Leonore and Verdi's Giovanna d'arco), British Youth Opera (Elisetta, Il matrimonio segreto), and Opera Plus (Fiordiligi, Così fan tutte).
For more information, please visit www.helenbailey.org
Dominic Morgan
Nemorino (L'Elisir d'Amore) 2019
Dominic Morgan is a young tenor and recent graduate from Royal Holloway, University of London, currently studying and working in London and the South-East. He has previously sung the roles of Tamino, Die Zauberflöte, and Pluto, Orpheus aux Enfers, (Opera Integra, 2019 and 2018 respectively), and has sung numerous roles with Vox Integra and AIMs such as Nemorino, L’Elizir, Rinuccio, Gianni Schicchi, Belfiore, La Finta Giardinera, and Antony, Sweeny Todd. He is playing one of the apprentices in Fulham Opera’s upcoming production of Der Meistersinger. Recently, Dominic won the English Art Song class at the North London Festival of Music and Drama, 2019. He currently studies with Theresa Goble.
Nemorino (L'Elisir d'Amore) 2019
Dominic Morgan is a young tenor and recent graduate from Royal Holloway, University of London, currently studying and working in London and the South-East. He has previously sung the roles of Tamino, Die Zauberflöte, and Pluto, Orpheus aux Enfers, (Opera Integra, 2019 and 2018 respectively), and has sung numerous roles with Vox Integra and AIMs such as Nemorino, L’Elizir, Rinuccio, Gianni Schicchi, Belfiore, La Finta Giardinera, and Antony, Sweeny Todd. He is playing one of the apprentices in Fulham Opera’s upcoming production of Der Meistersinger. Recently, Dominic won the English Art Song class at the North London Festival of Music and Drama, 2019. He currently studies with Theresa Goble.
Will O'Brien
Belcore (L'Elisir d'Amore) 2019
Publio (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana) 2016
Will has enjoyed acting and singing for a long time. Roles that he has performed include Guglielmo (Così Fan Tutte), Leporello (Don Giovanni), The Father (Hansel and Gretel), Lindorf and Coppélius (The Tales of Hoffmann), Koko (The Mikado), Snug (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Marco (Gianni Schicchi). In Oratorio, Will has sung the bass solos in Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah. In September 2016, Will performed in the chorus of The Barber of Seville (Rossini), part of the ‘Rossini 2016’ festival. Will is currently taking singing lessons under Neil Baker. In August 2015, Will attended the Abingdon Summer School for Solo Singers. Will is currently participating in the opera course at the Associated Studios in London. He has previously studied opera performance at Morley College, London.
Belcore (L'Elisir d'Amore) 2019
Publio (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana) 2016
Will has enjoyed acting and singing for a long time. Roles that he has performed include Guglielmo (Così Fan Tutte), Leporello (Don Giovanni), The Father (Hansel and Gretel), Lindorf and Coppélius (The Tales of Hoffmann), Koko (The Mikado), Snug (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Marco (Gianni Schicchi). In Oratorio, Will has sung the bass solos in Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah. In September 2016, Will performed in the chorus of The Barber of Seville (Rossini), part of the ‘Rossini 2016’ festival. Will is currently taking singing lessons under Neil Baker. In August 2015, Will attended the Abingdon Summer School for Solo Singers. Will is currently participating in the opera course at the Associated Studios in London. He has previously studied opera performance at Morley College, London.
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Valerie Wong,
Gianetta (L'Elisir d'Amore) 2019 Hong Kong born Soprano took part in multiple opera productions including Les Contes d'Hoffmann by Offenbach as La Voix, Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini as La Badessa and La Ciesca, Semele by Handel as Ino, Così fan tutte and Le Nozze Di Figaro by Mozart, Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II, La Cenerentola by Rossini, Don Giovanni by Mozart, Tosca by Giacomo Puccini, Otello by Giuseppe Verdi. Wong visited Taipei as the representative of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, for performance exchange with the students from the Taipei National University of the Art, and the Taipei Philharmonic Opera Studio in 2016. Recently in June 2017, Wong was also invited to perform in the HKSAR 20th Anniversary Celebration Concert – “Two Decades of Elegance” in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China. Wong graduated from the Bachelor of Music (Honours) in 2018 under renowned soprano Nancy Yuen and Diploma of Music of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2015. Wong was a recipient of the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir Scholarship and Michael Rippon Memorial Scholarship. Wong is currently studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama - Artist Masters - Performance under John Evans. |
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Iryna Ilnytska
Assistant Director (L'Elisir d'Amore) 2019
Another Night at the Opera 2017
Lola (Cavalleria Rusticana 2016)
A Night at the Opera 2015
Idamante (Idomeneo) 2015
Iryna Ilnytska, mezzo-soprano, from Ukraine, began studying music at the age of eight. At the age of twelve, she took the first prize at an opera competition in Lugansk (Ukraine) for young singers. In the final she sang Olga’s aria from Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin”. A few years later she sang the whole of Olga’s role on the stage of Kiev Opera Studio. The roles of Carmen and Dalila followed soon afterwards.
In summer 2013 Iryna graduated from the Academy of Music in Milan (Civica Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado), where she studied classical voice with Prof. Vincenzo Manno. In her final examinations, she performed the role of Isabella from Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri”.
Her first roles in the UK were Idamante, 3rd Lady, 3rd Spirit, Lola and Orfeo. Iryna sang solos in Mozart's Coronation Mass K317 and Vespers K339, as well as alto solo in G.F. Handel’s “Messiah” at Exeter Cathedral. Future engagements include collaboration with Opera in a Box in Bristol, Stella Maris Trio,
Duo “Elegance” and concerts with Trio “Va Bene” in Zurich and Lucerne, Switzerland.
Assistant Director (L'Elisir d'Amore) 2019
Another Night at the Opera 2017
Lola (Cavalleria Rusticana 2016)
A Night at the Opera 2015
Idamante (Idomeneo) 2015
Iryna Ilnytska, mezzo-soprano, from Ukraine, began studying music at the age of eight. At the age of twelve, she took the first prize at an opera competition in Lugansk (Ukraine) for young singers. In the final she sang Olga’s aria from Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin”. A few years later she sang the whole of Olga’s role on the stage of Kiev Opera Studio. The roles of Carmen and Dalila followed soon afterwards.
In summer 2013 Iryna graduated from the Academy of Music in Milan (Civica Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado), where she studied classical voice with Prof. Vincenzo Manno. In her final examinations, she performed the role of Isabella from Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri”.
Her first roles in the UK were Idamante, 3rd Lady, 3rd Spirit, Lola and Orfeo. Iryna sang solos in Mozart's Coronation Mass K317 and Vespers K339, as well as alto solo in G.F. Handel’s “Messiah” at Exeter Cathedral. Future engagements include collaboration with Opera in a Box in Bristol, Stella Maris Trio,
Duo “Elegance” and concerts with Trio “Va Bene” in Zurich and Lucerne, Switzerland.
Laura Curry
Music for a May Evening 2019
Another Night at the Opera 2017
Iphigenia (Iphigenia in Tauris) 2016
A Night at the Opera 2015
Ilia (Idomeno) 2015
Laura is a lyric soprano originally heralding from Bristol who is actively employed across the UK and abroad. She studied at the RWCMD where she worked extensively with BBC Wales and BBC NCW. She studied further in Toronto with ManoSinistra in association with Toronto OperaFest, and in Berlin with Berlin Opera Academy. She is currently a musician for the charity Live Music Now and has worked with BBC NCW Outreach and Longborough Opera Outreach and Education department as well as being an active musician for Southmead Hospital charity. Laura has recently performed with Longborough Festival Opera as a young artist, Opera Anywhere and St Paul’s Opera. She has been working with the Vienna State Opera since September as part of their Chorakademie after first performing in France with Opera de Baugé. She has performed as a solo voice for Trojahn’s new composition, Orest for the Vienna State Opera and worked as semi-chorus for their new production of Berlioz’s Les Troyens.
In the UK she was a competition finalist for the Cheltenham Bach Choir Singing Competition, Dean and Chadlington Competition Finalist, Llangollen International Voice of the Future Semi-Finalist and was winner of the Midsomerset Music Festival Overall Champion and Bristol Music Eisteddfod Overall Champion. Laura was also awarded the Gil Rodriguez Scholarship for her work with Opera de Baugé.
Laura has a penchant for Modern Opera and has recently premiered a new commission with Asking4it Productions and Ty Cerrd in the Welsh Millennium Centre.
Music for a May Evening 2019
Another Night at the Opera 2017
Iphigenia (Iphigenia in Tauris) 2016
A Night at the Opera 2015
Ilia (Idomeno) 2015
Laura is a lyric soprano originally heralding from Bristol who is actively employed across the UK and abroad. She studied at the RWCMD where she worked extensively with BBC Wales and BBC NCW. She studied further in Toronto with ManoSinistra in association with Toronto OperaFest, and in Berlin with Berlin Opera Academy. She is currently a musician for the charity Live Music Now and has worked with BBC NCW Outreach and Longborough Opera Outreach and Education department as well as being an active musician for Southmead Hospital charity. Laura has recently performed with Longborough Festival Opera as a young artist, Opera Anywhere and St Paul’s Opera. She has been working with the Vienna State Opera since September as part of their Chorakademie after first performing in France with Opera de Baugé. She has performed as a solo voice for Trojahn’s new composition, Orest for the Vienna State Opera and worked as semi-chorus for their new production of Berlioz’s Les Troyens.
In the UK she was a competition finalist for the Cheltenham Bach Choir Singing Competition, Dean and Chadlington Competition Finalist, Llangollen International Voice of the Future Semi-Finalist and was winner of the Midsomerset Music Festival Overall Champion and Bristol Music Eisteddfod Overall Champion. Laura was also awarded the Gil Rodriguez Scholarship for her work with Opera de Baugé.
Laura has a penchant for Modern Opera and has recently premiered a new commission with Asking4it Productions and Ty Cerrd in the Welsh Millennium Centre.
Robert Tilson
Music for a May Evening 2019
Robert is a passionate interpreter of a wide range of roles and genres spanning from the 17th Century to 2018. He has performed at the Royal Festival Hall, Cadogan Hall, The Wiltons Music Hall, Birmingham’s Town and Symphony hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Notre-Dame, St. Peter’s Basilica and many other prestigious performance venues across Europe.
On the operatic stage Robert’s repertoire includes roles such as Gabriel von Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus for Opera Diaspora, Minos Orpheus aux Enfers (Offenbach), Arbace in Idomeneo (Mozart, cover) for Opéra de Baugé, Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni for Flat White Opera, Giannetto in La Gazza Ladra (Rossini) with Midland Opera, the title role of Actéon (Charpentier), Satyavan Savitri (Holst), L'Aumonier Dialogues des Carmelites all with The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, he has created several leading roles, Dave Ava’s Wedding (Michael Wolters), Conductor Idea(l) Tolis Alysandratos and Angelo Die Welt Ist Das Exil the 2015 production of world premiere by Austrian composer Ulf-Diether Soyka.
Robert studied a Bachelor of Music at Birmingham Conservatoire and a Master of Arts at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of Julian Pike, Justin Lavender, Ryland Davies and James Baillieu.
Maintaining his choral foundations, Robert has performed as a tenor soloist in the Mass in B minor and St John Passion Bach, Messiah, Dixit Dominus and Chandos Anthem No.9 Handel, Creation and Harmoniemesse Haydn, Requiem Mass, Spatzenmesse and Coronation Mass Mozart, Petite Messe Solennelle Rossini, Carmina Burana Orff, Christmas Oratorio Saint-Saëns, Messa Di Gloria Puccini, Mass In D Dvorak, Mass in G Schubert, Crucifixion Stainer and Serenade to Music Vaughan Williams.
Recent engagements include recording and premiering an English song cycle, Scenes from a Wessex Life by Antony Esland, with Neil Crossland working in the chorus for Opera Holland Park’s summer season.
Music for a May Evening 2019
Robert is a passionate interpreter of a wide range of roles and genres spanning from the 17th Century to 2018. He has performed at the Royal Festival Hall, Cadogan Hall, The Wiltons Music Hall, Birmingham’s Town and Symphony hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Notre-Dame, St. Peter’s Basilica and many other prestigious performance venues across Europe.
On the operatic stage Robert’s repertoire includes roles such as Gabriel von Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus for Opera Diaspora, Minos Orpheus aux Enfers (Offenbach), Arbace in Idomeneo (Mozart, cover) for Opéra de Baugé, Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni for Flat White Opera, Giannetto in La Gazza Ladra (Rossini) with Midland Opera, the title role of Actéon (Charpentier), Satyavan Savitri (Holst), L'Aumonier Dialogues des Carmelites all with The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, he has created several leading roles, Dave Ava’s Wedding (Michael Wolters), Conductor Idea(l) Tolis Alysandratos and Angelo Die Welt Ist Das Exil the 2015 production of world premiere by Austrian composer Ulf-Diether Soyka.
Robert studied a Bachelor of Music at Birmingham Conservatoire and a Master of Arts at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of Julian Pike, Justin Lavender, Ryland Davies and James Baillieu.
Maintaining his choral foundations, Robert has performed as a tenor soloist in the Mass in B minor and St John Passion Bach, Messiah, Dixit Dominus and Chandos Anthem No.9 Handel, Creation and Harmoniemesse Haydn, Requiem Mass, Spatzenmesse and Coronation Mass Mozart, Petite Messe Solennelle Rossini, Carmina Burana Orff, Christmas Oratorio Saint-Saëns, Messa Di Gloria Puccini, Mass In D Dvorak, Mass in G Schubert, Crucifixion Stainer and Serenade to Music Vaughan Williams.
Recent engagements include recording and premiering an English song cycle, Scenes from a Wessex Life by Antony Esland, with Neil Crossland working in the chorus for Opera Holland Park’s summer season.
Julia O'Connor
Prince Ramiro (Cinderella) 2018
Julia O'Connor is a Soprano who is much in demand around the South West. She studied music at York University and later with English National Opera under Mary King.
Julia has performed the Soprano solos in all of the great Oratorio works in Surrey, Kent, London and the South West, including works by Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Britten, Poulenc, Tippet and Brahms.
Equally at home on the stage Julia has performed the role of Mimi in Puccini’s much-loved opera La Bohème, the title role in Janacek’s Jenufa, Beatrice in Berlioz's Beatrice and Benedict, Ellen Orford in Bath Opera’s NODA award winning production of Britten's Peter Grimes, Belinda in Dido & Aeneas, Lady in The Fairy Queen, Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Flora in La Traviata and Cousin in Madam Butterfly.
This year sees Julia making her debut with Red Earth Opera in Devon in their production of Rossini’s much-loved opera La Cenerentola as the prince Don Ramiro!
More information about Julia and details about her teaching practice can be found at www.juliaoconnorsoprano.co.uk
Prince Ramiro (Cinderella) 2018
Julia O'Connor is a Soprano who is much in demand around the South West. She studied music at York University and later with English National Opera under Mary King.
Julia has performed the Soprano solos in all of the great Oratorio works in Surrey, Kent, London and the South West, including works by Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Britten, Poulenc, Tippet and Brahms.
Equally at home on the stage Julia has performed the role of Mimi in Puccini’s much-loved opera La Bohème, the title role in Janacek’s Jenufa, Beatrice in Berlioz's Beatrice and Benedict, Ellen Orford in Bath Opera’s NODA award winning production of Britten's Peter Grimes, Belinda in Dido & Aeneas, Lady in The Fairy Queen, Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Flora in La Traviata and Cousin in Madam Butterfly.
This year sees Julia making her debut with Red Earth Opera in Devon in their production of Rossini’s much-loved opera La Cenerentola as the prince Don Ramiro!
More information about Julia and details about her teaching practice can be found at www.juliaoconnorsoprano.co.uk
Michael Lam
Don Magnifico (Cinderalla) 2018
Another Night at the Opera 2017
Hong Kong baritone Michael Chun Ting Lam graduated from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, Hungary, where he was a recipient of the Joseph Weingarten Scholarship. He received his Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he was awarded the St Clare Barfield Memorial Bowl for Operatic Distinction and was supported by Opera Hong Kong K Wah International Vocal Scholarship, Foundation for the Arts and Music in Asia Limited (FAMA) Vocal Scholarships and Birmingham Conservatoire Scholarship Fund. Prior to that, he gained his Bachelor of Music from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, where he received a number of scholarships, including Welsh Male Choir Scholarship, the Bernard van Zuiden Music Fund, Mr Ng
Fung Chow Memorial Scholarships, The Hong Kong Children's Choir Chan Ho Choi Memorial Scholarship and Michael Rippon Memorial Scholarship. He has studied singing with Cheng Yuk Man, Gerald Hon, David Quah, Gwion Thomas and is currently receiving the guidance of Kiss B. Atilla.
Passionate about opera, Lam has sung operatic roles as: Tonio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci and Colline in Puccini’s La Bohème for Midland Opera, Renato(Cover) and Silvano in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera for Winslow Hall Opera, The Four Villains(Cover), Hermann and Schlémil in Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann for Passaggio Oper, Don Basilio in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia for Opera Novella, Baron Douphol in Verdi's La Traviata for
Musica Viva, and the Young Man 3 in Huang Ruo's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (world premiere) for Opera Hong Kong; Count Almaviva in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, The Forester in Janáček's The Cunning Little Vixen, Bottom in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Dr Blind in Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts productions; Death in Holst’s Sāvitri, Le fauteuil in Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges and Count Almaviva in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro in Birmingham Conservatoire productions; David in Barber's A Hand of Bridge, and Argante in Armida, an opera-patchwork on the same theme of operas by different composers with contemporary music reflections, in the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music productions. He has also sung main roles in excerpts from different operas, including Iago in Verdi's Otello, Marcello in Puccini's La Bohème, Papageno in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Belcore in Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore, Don Alfonso in Mozart's Così Fan Tutte, Figaro in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia and the title role of Mozart's Don Giovanni.
Lam has also performed actively as a concert soloist. His past concert engagements include: the bass solo in Haydn's Nelson Mass with The Really Big Chorus and Hong Kong Police Choir; the bass solo in J.S. Bach's Magnificat in D Major with Hong Kong Oratorio Society, HKOS Cantata Singers and HKFYG Hong Kong Melody Makers; the baritone solo and bass solo in Felix Mendelssohn's Die erste Walpurgisnacht with Hong Kong Oratorio Society; the bass solo in Handel's Messiah with Hong Kong SingFest; the bass solo in J.S. Bach's Magnificat in D Major with Village Voices UK; the baritone solo in Faure's Requiem with Chesterfield Cooperative Choral Society. In 2017, he has performed as the baritone soloist in “Another Night at the Opera” concert with Red Earth Opera, and “A Night of Celebration” concert with Midland Opera.
Lam was a prizewinner of numerous international and national singing competitions. He won many prizes in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, including the First Prize of Miss Barbara Fei Vocal Prize Final (Open) and Operatic Solo. Lam won the First Prize in the 2nd Hong Kong International Music Festival Vocal Competition and the Excellent Prize in the 3rd Asian International Vocal Festival International Opera Contest in 2015. In 2016,
Lam won the First Prize in the International Music Competition 'London' Grand Prize Virtuoso Vocal Competition; the "Wyken" Rose Bowl, Bennett Cup, E Burton Cup and William Griffiths Prize in Leamington Spa Competitive Festival; and the First Prize of Vocal class in Abergavenny Eisteddfod Y Fenni. He was the winner of Birmingham Conservatoire Singing Prize 2017 and The Ashleyan Opera Prize 2017.
Don Magnifico (Cinderalla) 2018
Another Night at the Opera 2017
Hong Kong baritone Michael Chun Ting Lam graduated from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, Hungary, where he was a recipient of the Joseph Weingarten Scholarship. He received his Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he was awarded the St Clare Barfield Memorial Bowl for Operatic Distinction and was supported by Opera Hong Kong K Wah International Vocal Scholarship, Foundation for the Arts and Music in Asia Limited (FAMA) Vocal Scholarships and Birmingham Conservatoire Scholarship Fund. Prior to that, he gained his Bachelor of Music from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, where he received a number of scholarships, including Welsh Male Choir Scholarship, the Bernard van Zuiden Music Fund, Mr Ng
Fung Chow Memorial Scholarships, The Hong Kong Children's Choir Chan Ho Choi Memorial Scholarship and Michael Rippon Memorial Scholarship. He has studied singing with Cheng Yuk Man, Gerald Hon, David Quah, Gwion Thomas and is currently receiving the guidance of Kiss B. Atilla.
Passionate about opera, Lam has sung operatic roles as: Tonio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci and Colline in Puccini’s La Bohème for Midland Opera, Renato(Cover) and Silvano in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera for Winslow Hall Opera, The Four Villains(Cover), Hermann and Schlémil in Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann for Passaggio Oper, Don Basilio in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia for Opera Novella, Baron Douphol in Verdi's La Traviata for
Musica Viva, and the Young Man 3 in Huang Ruo's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (world premiere) for Opera Hong Kong; Count Almaviva in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, The Forester in Janáček's The Cunning Little Vixen, Bottom in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Dr Blind in Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts productions; Death in Holst’s Sāvitri, Le fauteuil in Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges and Count Almaviva in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro in Birmingham Conservatoire productions; David in Barber's A Hand of Bridge, and Argante in Armida, an opera-patchwork on the same theme of operas by different composers with contemporary music reflections, in the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music productions. He has also sung main roles in excerpts from different operas, including Iago in Verdi's Otello, Marcello in Puccini's La Bohème, Papageno in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Belcore in Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore, Don Alfonso in Mozart's Così Fan Tutte, Figaro in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia and the title role of Mozart's Don Giovanni.
Lam has also performed actively as a concert soloist. His past concert engagements include: the bass solo in Haydn's Nelson Mass with The Really Big Chorus and Hong Kong Police Choir; the bass solo in J.S. Bach's Magnificat in D Major with Hong Kong Oratorio Society, HKOS Cantata Singers and HKFYG Hong Kong Melody Makers; the baritone solo and bass solo in Felix Mendelssohn's Die erste Walpurgisnacht with Hong Kong Oratorio Society; the bass solo in Handel's Messiah with Hong Kong SingFest; the bass solo in J.S. Bach's Magnificat in D Major with Village Voices UK; the baritone solo in Faure's Requiem with Chesterfield Cooperative Choral Society. In 2017, he has performed as the baritone soloist in “Another Night at the Opera” concert with Red Earth Opera, and “A Night of Celebration” concert with Midland Opera.
Lam was a prizewinner of numerous international and national singing competitions. He won many prizes in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, including the First Prize of Miss Barbara Fei Vocal Prize Final (Open) and Operatic Solo. Lam won the First Prize in the 2nd Hong Kong International Music Festival Vocal Competition and the Excellent Prize in the 3rd Asian International Vocal Festival International Opera Contest in 2015. In 2016,
Lam won the First Prize in the International Music Competition 'London' Grand Prize Virtuoso Vocal Competition; the "Wyken" Rose Bowl, Bennett Cup, E Burton Cup and William Griffiths Prize in Leamington Spa Competitive Festival; and the First Prize of Vocal class in Abergavenny Eisteddfod Y Fenni. He was the winner of Birmingham Conservatoire Singing Prize 2017 and The Ashleyan Opera Prize 2017.
Helena Payne
Alidoro (Cinderella) 2018
A Third Night at the Opera 2018
Annio (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Helena read English at The University of Exeter before training at DSL. Represented by Atwell Artist Management she studies voice with Sheila Barnes. Having recently re-oriented the trajectory of her career she is delighted to return to sing with Red Earth Opera after making her full length debut as Annio in their production of La Clemenza di Tito. Previous sung roles include Mrs Noye in Noye’s Fludde at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, Mustardseed in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Minack Theatre with Surrey Opera and a Shepherdess in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Capital Arts.
As an actor she has played Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest, Will Doone in Lorna Doone and Lady Macbeth with her company Pleasure Dome Theatre Company which performs at The Valley of Rocks, Exmoor. Other work include Sexism is Bad… at The Arcola, Top Girls at The Southbank Centre, Doomwatch Castle at Wyllyott’s Theatre, Praxagora in The Assembly Women, Mrs Smith in The Bald Prima Donna at The Old Red Lion, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Guiderius in Cymbeline at the CSF, The Blind/The Intruder at the Old Red Lion and its transfer to the Tabard, The Alchemist at the Riverhouse Studios, Viola in Twelfth Night and Margaret in Much Ado at PSF, and Like Enemies of the State at the Pleasance. She regularly records at Abbey Road with London Cantamusica and spent this Christmas at Downing Street singing for the switching on of the Christmas Tree Lights and recording her first audio book, All the Perverse Angels at Pinewood Studios.
Alidoro (Cinderella) 2018
A Third Night at the Opera 2018
Annio (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Helena read English at The University of Exeter before training at DSL. Represented by Atwell Artist Management she studies voice with Sheila Barnes. Having recently re-oriented the trajectory of her career she is delighted to return to sing with Red Earth Opera after making her full length debut as Annio in their production of La Clemenza di Tito. Previous sung roles include Mrs Noye in Noye’s Fludde at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, Mustardseed in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Minack Theatre with Surrey Opera and a Shepherdess in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Capital Arts.
As an actor she has played Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest, Will Doone in Lorna Doone and Lady Macbeth with her company Pleasure Dome Theatre Company which performs at The Valley of Rocks, Exmoor. Other work include Sexism is Bad… at The Arcola, Top Girls at The Southbank Centre, Doomwatch Castle at Wyllyott’s Theatre, Praxagora in The Assembly Women, Mrs Smith in The Bald Prima Donna at The Old Red Lion, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Guiderius in Cymbeline at the CSF, The Blind/The Intruder at the Old Red Lion and its transfer to the Tabard, The Alchemist at the Riverhouse Studios, Viola in Twelfth Night and Margaret in Much Ado at PSF, and Like Enemies of the State at the Pleasance. She regularly records at Abbey Road with London Cantamusica and spent this Christmas at Downing Street singing for the switching on of the Christmas Tree Lights and recording her first audio book, All the Perverse Angels at Pinewood Studios.
Edwin Dizer
Dandini (Cinderella) 2018
Edwin has enjoyed singing for as long as he can remember (and probably longer, though his parents are too traumatised to discuss this). He studied at the Royal College of Music's junior department for six years, but he was only inspired to dedicate himself to operatic singing after playing the curmudgeonly Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro and the psychopathic Mikado in The Mikado while a student at the University of Manchester. He is now an emerging baritone with regular opera, oratorio and solo recital engagements. When he isn't singing, he teaches music privately, plays piano and composes.
Dandini (Cinderella) 2018
Edwin has enjoyed singing for as long as he can remember (and probably longer, though his parents are too traumatised to discuss this). He studied at the Royal College of Music's junior department for six years, but he was only inspired to dedicate himself to operatic singing after playing the curmudgeonly Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro and the psychopathic Mikado in The Mikado while a student at the University of Manchester. He is now an emerging baritone with regular opera, oratorio and solo recital engagements. When he isn't singing, he teaches music privately, plays piano and composes.
Rachel Phillips
Clorinda (Cinderella) 2018
Rachel made her operatic debut earlier this year with Duchy Opera in their production of 'The Merry Wives of Windsor', and is thrilled to be performing with Red Earth Opera. Rachel has sung for many years around the South West as a soloist in charity concerts, staged musical productions, oratorios and as a regular guest with Barnstaple Male Voice Choir.
Rachel's musical journey began at the age of five with learning the piano. After being awarded a music scholarship by Edgehill College she began vocal training with the late Sheila Bellew. Rachel has enjoyed a great deal of success in music festivals around the South West, including being awarded the Monica Ley Rose Bowl by North Devon Performing Arts Festival (2008 and 2009). Rachel graduated from the Open University in 2009 with a BA(hons) in humanities with music and literature, and in 2017 completed a postgraduate certificate in humanities.
Rachel currently lives in Somerset with her husband and three children.
Clorinda (Cinderella) 2018
Rachel made her operatic debut earlier this year with Duchy Opera in their production of 'The Merry Wives of Windsor', and is thrilled to be performing with Red Earth Opera. Rachel has sung for many years around the South West as a soloist in charity concerts, staged musical productions, oratorios and as a regular guest with Barnstaple Male Voice Choir.
Rachel's musical journey began at the age of five with learning the piano. After being awarded a music scholarship by Edgehill College she began vocal training with the late Sheila Bellew. Rachel has enjoyed a great deal of success in music festivals around the South West, including being awarded the Monica Ley Rose Bowl by North Devon Performing Arts Festival (2008 and 2009). Rachel graduated from the Open University in 2009 with a BA(hons) in humanities with music and literature, and in 2017 completed a postgraduate certificate in humanities.
Rachel currently lives in Somerset with her husband and three children.
Mari wyn Williams
A Third Night at the Opera 2018
Elettra (Idomeneo) 2015
Hailing from Llanberis North Wales and residing in Cardiff, Mari Wyn Williams completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Vocal Studies whilst attending the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Shortly after this Mari accepted a position with Radio Cymru within the BBC as a production assistant, whilst continuing to master vocal technique under the tuition of Gail Pearson. Mari continued her studies in 2011-2012 completing a Masters Degree at the Welsh International Academy of Voice, achieving distinction, under the tuition of Dennis O’Neill and Nuccia Focile. Mari performed at the Llangollen Pavilion alongside Gwyn Hughes Jones for the 1000’s of Christmas voices concert which was broadcast on the Welsh television channel S4C in December 2012. Television appearances include singing at the closing concert of the National Eisteddfod alongside Bryn Terfel. Mari has been invited to perform at venues worldwide including Strauss’ 4 Last Songs at Westminster Abbey, the Waldorf Astoria in New York, the British embassy in Paris and an opera gala in Hong Kong. Mari also performed at the Wales Millennium Centre alongside Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Dennis O'Neill. In September 2013 Mari won third place at the Montserrat Caballe Competition in Zaragoza. Other competitions successes include finalist at the London Wagner competition and finalist at the Elizabeth Connell competition in Sydney. Mari is a regular performer with Opera Prelude, where she takes part in lectures on various musical subjects. Opera Roles include Lady Macbeth from Verdi’s Macbeth, Nella, Gianni Schicchi, Giorgetta Il Tabarro, Leonora, Il Trovatore, and Brünnhilde for Unexpected Opera’s The Rinse Cycle. In 2016 Mari was one of the Alvarez Young Artists at Garsington Opera and Covered the Role of Elettra from Idomeneo. Other engagements include Helmwige from Die Walküre for Grange Park Opera, The title role in Tosca for Opera project at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol, and Woglinde from Götterdämmerung for The Mastersingers. In November 2017 Mari performed the Role of Aida in Hannah Conway's new work 'Towards Another World' that premiered at the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of the ENO Baylis community project. Mari is also the recipient of The Mastersingers' Carole Rees Scholarship 2018.
A Third Night at the Opera 2018
Elettra (Idomeneo) 2015
Hailing from Llanberis North Wales and residing in Cardiff, Mari Wyn Williams completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Vocal Studies whilst attending the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Shortly after this Mari accepted a position with Radio Cymru within the BBC as a production assistant, whilst continuing to master vocal technique under the tuition of Gail Pearson. Mari continued her studies in 2011-2012 completing a Masters Degree at the Welsh International Academy of Voice, achieving distinction, under the tuition of Dennis O’Neill and Nuccia Focile. Mari performed at the Llangollen Pavilion alongside Gwyn Hughes Jones for the 1000’s of Christmas voices concert which was broadcast on the Welsh television channel S4C in December 2012. Television appearances include singing at the closing concert of the National Eisteddfod alongside Bryn Terfel. Mari has been invited to perform at venues worldwide including Strauss’ 4 Last Songs at Westminster Abbey, the Waldorf Astoria in New York, the British embassy in Paris and an opera gala in Hong Kong. Mari also performed at the Wales Millennium Centre alongside Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Dennis O'Neill. In September 2013 Mari won third place at the Montserrat Caballe Competition in Zaragoza. Other competitions successes include finalist at the London Wagner competition and finalist at the Elizabeth Connell competition in Sydney. Mari is a regular performer with Opera Prelude, where she takes part in lectures on various musical subjects. Opera Roles include Lady Macbeth from Verdi’s Macbeth, Nella, Gianni Schicchi, Giorgetta Il Tabarro, Leonora, Il Trovatore, and Brünnhilde for Unexpected Opera’s The Rinse Cycle. In 2016 Mari was one of the Alvarez Young Artists at Garsington Opera and Covered the Role of Elettra from Idomeneo. Other engagements include Helmwige from Die Walküre for Grange Park Opera, The title role in Tosca for Opera project at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol, and Woglinde from Götterdämmerung for The Mastersingers. In November 2017 Mari performed the Role of Aida in Hannah Conway's new work 'Towards Another World' that premiered at the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of the ENO Baylis community project. Mari is also the recipient of The Mastersingers' Carole Rees Scholarship 2018.
Hugh Legg
Tito (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Turiddu (Cavalleria Rusticana) 2016
Idomeneo (Idomeneo) 2015
Hugh Legg (tenor) was born in South Africa where he enjoyed a notable career as a cathedral chorister. He trained as an actor at the University of Cape Town, studied singing with Lloyd-Strauss-Smith, and with Jack Irons in London, His first engagement as solo tenor was in Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas in 1982.
Hugh came to England in 1984 where his opera roles included the title role in Britten’s Albert Herring in productions in London and Oxford, Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte) Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni). He also appeared in Aida at Earls Court, as Pang (Turandot) and as First Armed Man (Magic Flute) in productions in London and at The Barn Theatre. He has worked with directors including the late Monica Sinclair, Christopher Newell and Stephen Medcalf and with Federico Davia’s I Commedianti in Gianni Schicchi.
Concert engagements in the UK include works by Bach, Handel, Gounod & Britten and these have also taken him to Sweden and to Tallinn, Estonia. His opera roles have included the title role in Orpheus in the Underworld, Luigi in Puccini's Il Tabarro and the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto. In 2012, Hugh stepped in at two days' notice to the role of Don Jose in Carmen for Palace Opera.
As a frequent soloist with Dominion International Opera he performed a wide repertoire of arias, duets and other scenes and for Opera Please he performs as Pinkerton, Manrico, Radames and Cavaradossi.
Tito (La Clemenza di Tito) 2017
Turiddu (Cavalleria Rusticana) 2016
Idomeneo (Idomeneo) 2015
Hugh Legg (tenor) was born in South Africa where he enjoyed a notable career as a cathedral chorister. He trained as an actor at the University of Cape Town, studied singing with Lloyd-Strauss-Smith, and with Jack Irons in London, His first engagement as solo tenor was in Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas in 1982.
Hugh came to England in 1984 where his opera roles included the title role in Britten’s Albert Herring in productions in London and Oxford, Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte) Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni). He also appeared in Aida at Earls Court, as Pang (Turandot) and as First Armed Man (Magic Flute) in productions in London and at The Barn Theatre. He has worked with directors including the late Monica Sinclair, Christopher Newell and Stephen Medcalf and with Federico Davia’s I Commedianti in Gianni Schicchi.
Concert engagements in the UK include works by Bach, Handel, Gounod & Britten and these have also taken him to Sweden and to Tallinn, Estonia. His opera roles have included the title role in Orpheus in the Underworld, Luigi in Puccini's Il Tabarro and the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto. In 2012, Hugh stepped in at two days' notice to the role of Don Jose in Carmen for Palace Opera.
As a frequent soloist with Dominion International Opera he performed a wide repertoire of arias, duets and other scenes and for Opera Please he performs as Pinkerton, Manrico, Radames and Cavaradossi.
Martyn Harrison - Stage Animateur
La Clemenza di Tito 2017
Iphigenia in Tauris 2016
Martyn Harrison's background is essentially as a professional tenor in Opera, Operetta and London Musicals with our Major Opera Companies in UK and in Europe.
His career diversified, with time, into several associated areas of the Performing Arts including Stage Director, with over 180 productions to his credit ranging from Pantomime to Grand opera.
For 8 years he was Stage Director for New Devon Opera at Ugbrooke House in Devon and touring venues.
He is delighted to be back in Devon to further the cause of community opera in the South West with Red Earth Opera.
La Clemenza di Tito 2017
Iphigenia in Tauris 2016
Martyn Harrison's background is essentially as a professional tenor in Opera, Operetta and London Musicals with our Major Opera Companies in UK and in Europe.
His career diversified, with time, into several associated areas of the Performing Arts including Stage Director, with over 180 productions to his credit ranging from Pantomime to Grand opera.
For 8 years he was Stage Director for New Devon Opera at Ugbrooke House in Devon and touring venues.
He is delighted to be back in Devon to further the cause of community opera in the South West with Red Earth Opera.
Justine Viani
Santuzza (Cavalleria Rusticana) 2016
The Australian-British soprano Justine Viani studied at RNCM, and completed her Masters degree with Dennis O'Neill at WIAV in 2012.
She made her stage debut singing the title role of Richard Strauss' Salome at the Theatre der Stadt Heidelberg in April 2010 to great success. In July 2012 Justine performed the title role of Puccini's Tosca at Opera de Bauge, following on from her performance of the same role with Charles Court Opera in July 2011. She sang the part of Duchess with New York City Opera in January 2012 in Thomas Ades' Powder Her Face, and Gerhilde in Wagner's Walkure for Fulham Opera in February 2014. She made her debut with Wexford Opera in May 2014, in the world premiere of The Invader by Eric Sweeney to great success. Recent performances include Nigella Lawson in La Trashiata! for the Edinburgh Festival (Hibrow Opera, August 2014), the title role of Strauss' Daphne (Opera at Home, London, October 2014), Strauss' Chrysothemis (cover) and Fifth Maid in Elektra (Fulham Opera, London, October 2014) and Sieglinde in Walküre (Concert London, November 2014), Salud (cover) in La Vida breve by Manuel de Falla, for Opera North, March 2015, title role of Tosca (Helios Productios, January - July 2015, and Daphne in Grimeborn Festival (Opera at Home, Aug 2015), Sieglinde in The Rinse Cycle (adaptation of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, Unexpected Opera, Charing Cross Theatre, February - March 2016). Her forthcoming roles include the title role of Strauss’ Salome (Opera at Home, October 2016) and Desdemona in Verdi’s Otello (March 2017).
Ms Viani has performed extensively as an oratorio soloist, most recently performing for the Polish Royal family at Westminster Hall, in a world premiere of Prince Poniatowski's Mass in F. Other repertoire includes Bach's B minor mass, and the passions, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis and Mass in C, Brahm's Ein Deutsches Requiem, Haydn's Nelson Mass, Mozart's Requiem and C minor mass, Rossini's Stabat mater, Schubert's Mass in Ab and Verdi's Requiem. In concert she has performed Strauss' Orchestral Lieder Op.27, Vier Letzte Lieder and Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder. She has given various Liederabend concentrating on Brahms, Mahler, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Strauss and Wagner.
She has succeeded in many international competitions including winning 2nd place (the Wagner Society Prize of NSW) in the inaugural Elizabeth Connell Prize for Dramatic Sopranos, 2014; a finalist in Caballe's Competition in 2013; a semi-finalist in Domingo's Operalia competition in 2012; and Wagner society competition finalist in London 2012. She won the Elsie Thurston Memorial Prize and the Alexander Young Memorial Prize while at RNCM, and since awarded the Jury Prize in the Concorso Vocale Internazionale di Musica Sacra for the most promising young artist. In 2007 she received the Bayreuth Scholarship from Richard Wagner Society of Vienna.
Santuzza (Cavalleria Rusticana) 2016
The Australian-British soprano Justine Viani studied at RNCM, and completed her Masters degree with Dennis O'Neill at WIAV in 2012.
She made her stage debut singing the title role of Richard Strauss' Salome at the Theatre der Stadt Heidelberg in April 2010 to great success. In July 2012 Justine performed the title role of Puccini's Tosca at Opera de Bauge, following on from her performance of the same role with Charles Court Opera in July 2011. She sang the part of Duchess with New York City Opera in January 2012 in Thomas Ades' Powder Her Face, and Gerhilde in Wagner's Walkure for Fulham Opera in February 2014. She made her debut with Wexford Opera in May 2014, in the world premiere of The Invader by Eric Sweeney to great success. Recent performances include Nigella Lawson in La Trashiata! for the Edinburgh Festival (Hibrow Opera, August 2014), the title role of Strauss' Daphne (Opera at Home, London, October 2014), Strauss' Chrysothemis (cover) and Fifth Maid in Elektra (Fulham Opera, London, October 2014) and Sieglinde in Walküre (Concert London, November 2014), Salud (cover) in La Vida breve by Manuel de Falla, for Opera North, March 2015, title role of Tosca (Helios Productios, January - July 2015, and Daphne in Grimeborn Festival (Opera at Home, Aug 2015), Sieglinde in The Rinse Cycle (adaptation of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, Unexpected Opera, Charing Cross Theatre, February - March 2016). Her forthcoming roles include the title role of Strauss’ Salome (Opera at Home, October 2016) and Desdemona in Verdi’s Otello (March 2017).
Ms Viani has performed extensively as an oratorio soloist, most recently performing for the Polish Royal family at Westminster Hall, in a world premiere of Prince Poniatowski's Mass in F. Other repertoire includes Bach's B minor mass, and the passions, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis and Mass in C, Brahm's Ein Deutsches Requiem, Haydn's Nelson Mass, Mozart's Requiem and C minor mass, Rossini's Stabat mater, Schubert's Mass in Ab and Verdi's Requiem. In concert she has performed Strauss' Orchestral Lieder Op.27, Vier Letzte Lieder and Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder. She has given various Liederabend concentrating on Brahms, Mahler, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Strauss and Wagner.
She has succeeded in many international competitions including winning 2nd place (the Wagner Society Prize of NSW) in the inaugural Elizabeth Connell Prize for Dramatic Sopranos, 2014; a finalist in Caballe's Competition in 2013; a semi-finalist in Domingo's Operalia competition in 2012; and Wagner society competition finalist in London 2012. She won the Elsie Thurston Memorial Prize and the Alexander Young Memorial Prize while at RNCM, and since awarded the Jury Prize in the Concorso Vocale Internazionale di Musica Sacra for the most promising young artist. In 2007 she received the Bayreuth Scholarship from Richard Wagner Society of Vienna.
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Sebastian Charlesworth
Orestes (Iphigenia in Tauris) 2016 A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he formally trained as a bassoonist, Sebastian sings as a soloist and chorally in the UK and abroad whilst continuing his studies privately with Philip Doghan. Recent operatic roles have included; Prince Yeletsky Queen of Spades, Captain MacHeath The Beggar’s Opera, Masetto Don Giovanni, Cascada Merry Widow and Cox Cox and Box as well as Chorus with companies such as Longborough Festival Opera, New Sussex Opera, Surrey Opera, Opus Opera, OperaCoast, IrrationalTheatre, Opera Anywhere and Opera Danube. Last year, he spent 4 months on the road with the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company on their UK-wide tour. Future plans include Tannhäuser with Longborough Festival Opera and re-joining the National G&S Opera Company for another season. Equally at home on the concert platform as the stage, Sebastian was recently a finalist in the British Music Association’s Art Song Prize and has featured as Soloist in works including Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Serenade to Music various Bach Cantatas, Mozart’s Requiem. Future concert engagements include Bach’s Magnificat and Vivaldi’s Magnificat. As a professional chorister, Sebastian has worked with numerous groups including Metro Voices, Blossom Street Singers and RSVP Voices along with regular depping work across London. Alongside his stage and concert work, Sebastian is a professional Bassoon player and frequently works in leadership development with the company Moving Performance, who inspire change in organisations through the power of music. |
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Gavin Jarvis
Pylades (Iphigenia in Tauris 2016)
During the day Gavin Jarvis is a Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy and Pharmacology at Selwyn College, Cambridge where he teaches medical and veterinary students and runs a research laboratory investigating the effects of drugs on platelets. In his spare time Gavin sings frequently with choirs, and theatre and opera groups in Cambridgeshire, Essex and London. He has performed many Gilbert & Sullivan roles including Nanki-Poo Mikado, Ralph Rackstraw HMS Pinafore, Dick Dauntless Ruddigore, Marco The Gondoliers, Alexis The Sorcerer, The Defendant Trial by Jury, Grosvenor Patience, and will be playing Frederic Pirates of Penzance in June. He has also sung in musicals including Mike Connor High Society, Joe Cable South Pacific, Roscoe Follies, Bruce Ismay Titanic the Musical, Pirelli Sweeney Todd, Sir Percy Blakeney Scarlet Pimpernel and Freddy My Fair Lady. He sang for many years with King’s Voices, the mixed voice choir of King’s College, Cambridge with whom he went on numerous European tours including to Barcelona, Berlin and Bologna. Gavin joined the chorus at Opera Holland Park for Nabucco, Jenufa and Francesca da Rimini, has played operatic roles including Essex Merrie England, Remendado Carmen and Monostatos Magic Flute, and has given solo recitals in Cambridge including Vaughan-Williams Songs of Travel and Schumann’s Dichterliebe. Gavin studies singing privately with Gordon Stewart (Guildhall School of Music and Drama).
Pylades (Iphigenia in Tauris 2016)
During the day Gavin Jarvis is a Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy and Pharmacology at Selwyn College, Cambridge where he teaches medical and veterinary students and runs a research laboratory investigating the effects of drugs on platelets. In his spare time Gavin sings frequently with choirs, and theatre and opera groups in Cambridgeshire, Essex and London. He has performed many Gilbert & Sullivan roles including Nanki-Poo Mikado, Ralph Rackstraw HMS Pinafore, Dick Dauntless Ruddigore, Marco The Gondoliers, Alexis The Sorcerer, The Defendant Trial by Jury, Grosvenor Patience, and will be playing Frederic Pirates of Penzance in June. He has also sung in musicals including Mike Connor High Society, Joe Cable South Pacific, Roscoe Follies, Bruce Ismay Titanic the Musical, Pirelli Sweeney Todd, Sir Percy Blakeney Scarlet Pimpernel and Freddy My Fair Lady. He sang for many years with King’s Voices, the mixed voice choir of King’s College, Cambridge with whom he went on numerous European tours including to Barcelona, Berlin and Bologna. Gavin joined the chorus at Opera Holland Park for Nabucco, Jenufa and Francesca da Rimini, has played operatic roles including Essex Merrie England, Remendado Carmen and Monostatos Magic Flute, and has given solo recitals in Cambridge including Vaughan-Williams Songs of Travel and Schumann’s Dichterliebe. Gavin studies singing privately with Gordon Stewart (Guildhall School of Music and Drama).
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Julia Prest
Translation (Iphigenia in Tauris) Julia is Reader in French at the University of St Andrews and a specialist in early-modern French drama, ballet and opera. Julia studied Music and French at the University of Birmingham, where she sang in the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus under Simon Rattle. She has sung in the New Cambridge Singers, the Oxford Bach Choir, the Yale Camerata, Yale Pro Musica and Yale Recital Chorus and currently sings in the St Andrews Renaissance Singers and St Salvator's Singers. She has sung in the chorus for a number of productions including Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (Birmingham and New Haven), Gluck’s Orfeo and Euridice (Birmingham), Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Montpellier) and Eccles’s Judgment of Paris (St Andrews). Julia has also performed the title role in Stravinsky’s Persephone (New Haven). In June 2015, Julia sang in the chorus for Byre Opera's production of Gluck's Iphigénie in Tauris, for which she prepared the English translation of the libretto. She is delighted that Red Earth will be using the same translation in their production in March 2016. |
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Anando Mukerjee
A night at the opera (2015) Indian tenor Anando studied singing privately in the UK and in Switzerland with the legendary Nicolai Gedda after reading Natural Sciences at Cambridge University where he was an Inlaks Scholar. He currently studies with Ian Comboy. Possessing a true Italianate lirico-spinto tenor voice, he enjoys an international career and has a large and diverse repertoire encompassing opera, oratorio and art-song but specialises in the Bel-canto, Romantic and Verismo Italian and French repertoire. He has appeared at the Kennedy Center, ROH Covent Garden Crush Room, the NCPA Mumbai, Scottish Opera, Belgrade National Opera, Devon Opera, Cadogan Hall and Wigmore Hall. He was a finalist in the 2012 Wagner Society Bayreuth Bursary Competition. |
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