Students of the National Opera Studio Enjoy Week-Long Residency at Opera North

Press Release

19 May 2014

STUDENTS OF THE NATIONAL OPERA STUDIO ENJOY WEEK-LONG RESIDENCY AT OPERA NORTH

Opera North supports gifted singers at outset of their careers

Last week, Opera North welcomed students from the National Opera Studioto an intensive week of training led by internationally acclaimed conductor,Jac van Steen, and Scottish director, actor and playwright, Giles Havergal.

Culminating in a semi-staged professional performance in the Howard Assembly Room on Friday 16 May, the week-long residency provided students with the opportunity towork andperform alongside members of the Orchestra of Opera North in a programme featuring extracts from some of Britten’s much loved operas including Albert Herring, The Rape ofLucretia and The Turn of the Screw.

During their residency,students were offered rigorous musical training with Jac van Steen, set to conduct Opera North’s double-bill Gianni Schicchi and La vida breve (2014-2015 Season) and whose work with the Company includes Peter Grimes (2013) and several appearances with the Orchestra of Opera North.Giles Havergal, who recently directed Opera North’s production of Albert Herring (2013) and The Merry Widow (2010/2011), returnedto present specially tailored workshops for students to help refine their movement, acting and overall artistic skills.

Opera North, England’s national opera company based in Leeds, and National Opera Studio’s partnership isdesigned to develop and support gifted young singers as they transition from academia to a professional career in opera.

In February 2013, the Leverhulme Trustawarded funding to Opera North to create a series of annual opera residencies for students of the National Opera Studio and the Royal Northern College of Music.The funding is used tosupport the bursary costs for young singers and repetiteursduring residenciesat Opera North.

Christine Chibnall, Planning Director of Opera North, comments:‘Thanks to the generosity of the Leverhulme Trust, Opera North is able to continue nurturing talented young artists as they prepare to embark on successful operatic careers. As in previous years, the week-long National Opera Studio residency has enabled these students to hone their craft and blossom as artists and musicians. It has been very exciting to meet these promising young artists and to see them deliver such a high quality performance at the end of the week.’

Katie Grosset, a Leverhulme Trust artist comments:‘This week has been a wonderful introduction to the company. Anyone who has the opportunity to work in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere like this one is in for a treat! Opera North has been a great family to be part of this week and we are all hugely grateful for the experience.’

The National Opera Studio residency is supported by a grant for Arts Scholarships from the Leverhulme Trust.

/Ends

For further information and images, please contact:

Molly Fetherston, Communications

0113 223 3590

Sian Dudley, Press Officer

0113 223 3522

Julia Gregg, Press & PR Manager

0113 223 3526