AA Opera

We are delighted to have Rebecca Meltzer with us this week! Rebecca has so many creative strings to her bow. A Director, Movement Director, Teacher, Facilitator and Founding Director of Waterperry Opera. Wow...so much to unpack!  

Hear about Rebecca's journey to her creative career today, starting out at Durham University followed by her studies at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and all of the growth and experiences in between! We have an interesting chat about the importance of Opera & Movement, in short - go to movement class peeps! 

Also tune in to hear about what Waterperry Opera has in store this summer! 

Rebecca's Links:

Website | Instagram | Waterperry Opera Festival 

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This week Ash + Avi met with the wonderfully talented and intelligent Bridget Cunningham. She is a conductor, harpsichordist and musicologist with a special focus on Handel. You can find her work in so many places including at Buckingham Palace performing for the Royal Family. Bridget shares what she is currently working on and a little bit more of an insight into the world of Handel and his music. With a new album coming out in June you definitely want to keep your eye out on her socials to see what's up next and where you can see Bridget and her London Early Opera family perform. 

“They are unashamedly intended to please the senses and, in the hands of stylistically informed players they never fail to do so. Bridget Cunningham is just such a player…her ability to entertain unassailable" ★★★★★ Handel’s Eight Great Harpsichord Suites, BBC Music Magazine, January 2022

“Handel has never sounded better”  ★★★★★Handel’s Queens 5 Stars, BBC Music Magazine,  2019.

"Handel in Italy....reaching for the heavens" Andrew McGregor, BBC Radio 3, Record Review and Editors Pick in Gramophone Magazine.

Handel’s Queens available from http://smarturl.it/handelsqueens

“Superb album” Classic FM

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BBC Music Magazine

This weeks 'Know it All' is brought to you by Ash, and is closely related to this weeks episode. 

Bridget's Links: 

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Help Ukraine 🇺🇦

Donate Here

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Our links:

Website | Instagram

Hope you enjoy! xxx

Love,

This week Ash + Avi chat to British Soprano Nadine Benjamin. We hear about how Nadine's unconventional route into Opera has led to an exciting and successful career in the Music industry. In high demand as a Soprano with major Opera Companies, Nadine is well known for having played some of the most iconic leading ladies such as Musetta, Aida and Countess. Having established this reputation, Nadine looks forward to performing in new Opera's and more contemporary repertoire and recitals... tune in to find out where to catch this!

When Nadine is not on the stage, she can be found on our TV screens, having performed at the BBC Proms and most recently in the Celebration of the Commonwealth Service earlier this week (link below!)

Nadine's artistry is something to be admired and more than ever inspiration is guaranteed in this episode as Nadine is a fully qualified High Performance Coach - she shares with us her vision for Everybody Can! which provides a platform to encourage and support others in recognising and achieving their own visions.

After the interview Avi gives a little shout out to the great Samuel Barber, listen to an insight into his music on the month of his Birthday! 🎈We also discuss our favourite Verdi Heroine, drop yours below! 

Nadine's Links:

Website | Instagram | Everybody Can | BBC Commonwealth Celebration

Help Ukraine 🇺🇦

Donate Here

www.patreon.com/aaopera

Our links:

Website | Instagram

Hope you enjoy! xxx

Love,

This week Ash + Avi met up with Bass-Baritone and Director John Savournin. You can currently find John on the stages of Opera Holland Park, English National Opera, his own company Charles Court Opera and many more!

Links for 'Drops':  https://bit.ly/3KAdAot *

Website | Instagram

www.patreon.com/aaopera

Our links:

Website | Instagram

Hope you enjoy! xxx

Love,

*Affiliate link 

Joining AA Opera this week is Irish Mezzo-Soprano Tara Erraught! Tara is celebrated as a Bel Canto QUEEN and is critically acclaimed for her performances on the Operatic and Concert Stages across the globe.🌎 👑

Tara sits down and inspires us with her story with some great advice for singers along the way...from demystifying Coloratura to tackling the trouser roles or maybe just having a good old word with yourself and committing to the Opera trade! This episode will leave you feeling empowered as we embrace our individuality as singers. 💜

You're gunna want a big cuppa tea for this one... it's the pep talk we all need. ☕️

P.S  Stay tuned after the interview as we share useful resources to support the Crisis in Ukraine 🇺🇦

Tara's Links:

Website | Instagram | Twitter |  

Support us:

www.patreon.com/aaopera

Our links:

Website | Instagram

We are delighted to share our chat with Comedian, Lloyd Griffith. You may recognise Lloyd from your TV screens, making you laugh in his hilarious comic sketches, he can also be found cheering in a Football Stadium near you! ⁣

What brings Lloyd to AA Opera podcast I hear you say? Well, it turns out Lloyd is a choir boy... well he was - today he's still a legit singer (countertenor turned Baritone - yes tune in to hear him explain that one ). This episode promises a geek out on Britain's glorious cathedrals, Opera chat and a few laughs along the way!

In addition Ash has a great 'Know It All' this week, let us know who most surprised you? 

Lloyds Links: 

Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube 

(Make sure to watch #LetLloydSing) 

Support us:

www.patreon.com/aaopera

Our links:

Website | Instagram

This week Ash + Avi met up with Soprano Verity Wingate. Verity has just returned to the UK after spending 2 years in the Dutch National Studio.

Verity's Links:

Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Support us:

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Our links:

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This week on AA Opera we chat with Tenor, Tom Elwin. Tom shares memories of his early years as a Choir boy followed by his journey to becoming an Opera Singer. As an active career in todays industry, Tom has lots to tell us about working in the UK, Germany, covering roles and an important and insightful chat about vocal health, singers take note!

With Tom's upcoming performance as Rodolfo with English Touring Opera, Ashleigh shares some fun facts about La bohème in our new 'Know it All' Segment!

We hope you enjoy. 

Tom Elwin Links:

Website | Instagram | Twitter

Support us:

www.patreon.com/aaopera

Our links:

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This week Ash + Avi had the honour to chat with Anthony Roth Costanzo. Anthony Roth Costanzo is the worlds leading countertenor. He has been on some kind of stage for most of his life and has performed with the likes of Pavarotti and... Michael Jackson!

This months Composer of the Month is Joanna Ward. Her piece this week is called "Two Greenhouses", enjoy! 

Anthony Roth Costanzo Links: 

Website | Instagram 

Website | Instagram

Support us:

www.patreon.com/aaopera

Our links:

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This week we are joined by up & coming American Conductor John Paul Jennings 🎶

JP is currently a postgraduate student at the Royal College of Music. He’s making quite a name for himself over here in the UK with regular performances and collaborations with Regents Opera.

JP shares insights into studying abroad, embracing the process of your journey to ‘becoming’ an artist and shares his conducting inspirations and aspirations. 🌍✨

This weeks episode Composer of the Month is back! It's our pleasure to have Joanna Ward share her first extract 'WE'VE GOT HONEY LOVE'

Maestro, Let’s take it from the top… Listen now! 🎧

JP Links:

Facebook | Instagram

Joanna Links:

Website | Instagram

Support us:

www.patreon.com/aaopera

Our links:

Website | Instagram