Welcome to this special episode with James Brining, presented by Scarlett, Vicenzo, Beth, Vanessa and Seth from Mount St Mary's Catholic High School (Richmond Hill, Leeds).

James Brining is a Director and the Artistic Director and CEO of Leeds Playhouse. Since joining in 2012, he has directed a range of shows from new plays to large scale musicals including Oliver!, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, A Little Night Music, The Wizard of Oz and into the Woods. James is currently working on My Fair Lady, produced in collaboration with Opera North and opening in June. He will also be directing 'The Magic Flute' next season.

Musical Excerpt: The Magic Flute: Duet 'Pa-pa-pa' (Papageno & Papagena) with Gavan Ring as Papageno, Amy Freston as Papagena and Orchestra of Opera North, conducted by Robert Howarth.

In this episode, multi-talented Hannabiell Sanders and Yilis del Carmen Suriel speak about their musical and activist journeys, and recall how their band, Ladies of Midnight Blue evolved over the years.

Ladies of Midnight Blue are an Afro-Latin percussion and brass duet. They create a powerful and upbeat fusion of rhythms, weaving combinations of melodic percussion, brass, vocal chants, and mbira. They have performed all over the world and in the last 12 years they have been workshop facilitators and guest artists for various projects and residencies, including Opera North’s Resonance Residency. On Saturday 23 March 2024, they will be performing their family show A Love Revolution at the Howard Assembly Room.

Musical Excerpt: Ladies of Midnight Blue playing live at the Darlo Drum Festival 2020

In this episode Divina de Campo shares her passion for performing and tell us about her love of opera and her journey as an artist.

Divina is a British drag queen and singer who has been featured on national television programmes including The Voice, All Together Now and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Her love of theatre led her to star in many stage productions. In 2022, she won 'Best Performance in a Musical' at the UK Theatre awards for her leading role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Divina will be in Leeds on Saturday 10th February for an intimate solo performance at the Howard Assembly Room.  

Musical excerpt: Waving Goodbye by Divina de Campo.

In this episode, Kate Davy tells us about the work of a stage manager and shares her experience working backstage.

Originally from Ilkley, Kate moved to London age 18 to study at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She then came back to Yorkshire to work as assistant stage manager at Northern Ballet. Nearly 25 years ago, she joined Opera North where she now works as Head of Stage Management. Over the years, Kate has worked on over 100 opera performances.

Musical excerpt: Trio 'O wind gently blowing' (Fiordiligi, Dorabella, Don Alfonso), Act 1, from Mozart's Cosi fan tutte

In this episode, BBC Young Musician finalist Phoebe Mallinson speaks about her passion for brass instruments and shares her experience and aspirations as a young player.

Originally from Bradford, Phoebe started playing cornet at the age of eight before moving to flugelhorn when she was ten. In 2017, she gained a place at Chetham’s School of Music studying Trumpet with Tracey Redfern. In December, Phoebe will be performing as soloist with the Opera North Youth Orchestra at Dewsbury Town Hall as part of the Kirklees Orchestral concert series. After her A levels, Phoebe hopes to join one of the leading conservatoires to further her studies in music performance. 

Musical excerpt: Janáček's The Cunning Litte Vixen (Finale) performed by the Orchestra of Opera North.

In this episode, tenor Xavier Hetherington shares his passion for operatic singing technique and foreign languages. He provides useful advice for young singers and shares what it's like for a performer to engage with young audiences. He also tells us about his experience working on Opera North new production of Masque of Might.

Xavier started singing at an early age as a boy chorister in Salisbury Cathedral. He then went on to study classics at Cambrige University where he was a choral scholar at St John's College. In 2018, he studied a postgraduate degree at the Royal College of Music in London. Since then, he has been performing on concert and opera stages in the UK and across Europe.

Musical excerpt: Masque of Might: 'So when the glitt'ring Queen of Night' (Seer) sung by Xavier Hetherington.

In this episode, Jamie Saye reflects on his career as a sound and lighting technician, and offers great tips and insights for anyone interested in working backstage. He also opens up about his motivation to change career and the work he has been doing with Sustainable Arts in Leeds (SAIL).

Jamie worked as Technical Manager at the Howard Assembly Room before becoming the General Manager at SAIL. He is the Opera North Green Champion and has been advising the company during the development of their Green Season.

Musical excerpt: 'Ulibambe' by Abel Selaocoe (composed as part of the Opera North Walking Home project - sound journeys from lockdown)

In this episode, Rakhi Singh reflects on her journey as a musician and her work with Manchester Collective. She also shares useful advice about freelancing as a musician.

Musical excerpt: 'Pierrot Lunaire' by Arnold Schoenberg performed by Manchester Collective

In this episode, Emma Black reflects on her career so far and the work she has done at Opera North over the years. She speaks about the forthcoming Youth production of Eugene Onegin and shares useful advice for aspiring artists and directors.

Musical excerpt: 'Mi Chiamano Mimi' From La Boheme by Puccini

In this episode, John Savournin gives us a glimpse of what the rehearsal process for Ariadne auf Naxos has been like and reflects on his career so far, combining singing, directing and writing.

Musical excerpt: Finale Act 1 from Cosi Fan Tutte by Mozart