Talking Classical Podcast

Camilla is a BRIT nominated English opera singer, who was the first signing to Gary Barlow’s Universal label, Future Records. She’s performed in arenas and stadiums all over the world, and recently made the transition from having a hugely successful career as a classical crossover artist to opera singer, recently performing for the Royal Opera House and English National Opera as their first Associate Artist.

We met at the Royal Opera House over the October half term where we discussed everything from what it was like to have a high profile career as a classical crossover artist, transitioning to opera, training and preparation, and juggling motherhood with performing and auditioning. And you may have seen Camilla’s husband Chris Robshaw, former captain of the England rugby team, on your TV recently as he was a contestant on the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing (the British version of Dancing With The Stars). Of course, we had to talk about what that whole process was like particularly with having young children and an elderly dog!

Thank you to Romany Anderson and Amelia Elgey at the Royal Opera House for setting us up with a room and allowing us to come there for the recording; Emily Ball for helping to organise the interview; Camilla for your patience and giving up your time so generously, coming in especially to do this despite having very little sleep the night before looking after a baby, the rain, and a half-hour delay starting the interview.

-

https://musicpartnership.co.uk/camilla-kerslake

https://kerslakerobshawfoundation.com

-Janáček's The Makropulos Case runs until 21 November 2025 at the Royal Opera House. Tickets from £10!

Handel's Ariodante runs from 9-21 December 2025 at the Royal Opera House.

Seb Philpott is a multi-faceted freelance trumpeter who has played in a variety of ensembles such as orchestras, period instrument groups, jazz bands and West End pit bands.

Seb is also a presenter of the hugely popular Three in a Bar podcast, which features interviews with a wide range of people from across the music and performing arts industry. I interviewed Seb's co-host Verity Simmons so I thought it would be a lovely idea to hear from the other side. 

Seb and I met last year at Blackheath Halls during the annual London International Festival of Early Music.  I was excited to meet Seb as I had listened to his podcast for a while and was excited to hear more about the process of putting together a music podcast.

We had an enjoyable hour or so talking about topics such as the process of putting together a music podcast, performing in different musical contexts and styles, singing, memorable performances, confidence, and growing up on the Les Misérables soundtrack.

-

sebphilpott.com

threeinabar.com

-

Seb plays the trumpet with the European Union Baroque Orchestra in Bach's Cantata "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen," BWV 51.

 I'm so pleased to share a conversation I recorded back in September with Iestyn Davies.

Iestyn is one of the world's most sought after countertenors. A noted interpreter of Handel, his repertoire also extends beyond the traditional confines of the Baroque repertoire, having recently released a disc of English song, and relishing the challenges of contemporary music, as you'll hear later in this conversation.

Iestyn and I talked about a range of topics, including his favourite Handel roles, his thoughts on Baroque ornamentation, acting, what it was like working with Sir Mark Rylance, the countertenor repertoire, and maintaining a career in the classical music industry, including some of his thoughts about the advantages and disadvantages of competitions and the music college system.

I'd seen Iestyn a few months before in a concert performance of Handel's opera Orlando back in the summer with the Academy of Ancient Music at the Barbican; a terrific afternoon of music. We spent the first part talking about this concert, leading into a discussion about some of the more cumbersome aspects of Handel's writing and in concert performances.

Last month, I was delighted to speak to cellist and composer Matthew Barley. His latest album, Light Stories is a deeply personal exploration of his own journey from darkness to light. Having experienced, a psychotic drug incident as a teenager. Matthew found solace in his cello playing and music-making as you'll hear in a moment.

Matthew and I talked about the genesis behind his Light Stories project, which not only includes his album but also a series of multimedia concert performances this autumn across the UK. Further dates are to be announced.

Matthew also has planned to set up an arts foundation to help young people learn more about the importance of good mental health practices through music and the performing arts.

Additionally, we discussed improvisation within a classical music context, and our own experiences of mental health.

If you're affected by any of the issues in this podcast. Please do contact a helpline or seek medical help.

Thank you also to Rebecca and Flora at RDMR for putting me in touch with Matthew for this interview.

Additional music: The Dreaming by Matthew Barley from Light Stories released on 27 September, 2024 on Signum Classics.

https://matthewbarley.com

On this podcast, sometimes I like to venture outside of the traditional confines of the classical music world and speak to people who have a relationship with classical music but work in different art forms. My guest on this episode is just that.

Adam Cooper is a dancer, choreographer, director and all-round performer. He's best-known as a former Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet, and for originating the role of the Swan in Sir Matthew Bourne's re-invention of Swan Lake. Adam and I met back in April at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, a lovely intimate theatre just an hour away from London. Check out their events programme and do take a visit if you're in the area!

In our conversation, we talked about a lot of different areas, including: being in a musical family, the role of music in his personal and performing life, studying music at the Royal Ballet School, choreographing, creating new scores, and the challenges of singing and dancing; often, simultaneously! This was a really fascinating insight into a different perspective on dance, performing and choreography.

Adam's playing the role of Zac in the musical A Chorus Line, which is about to complete a London run at Sadler's Wells and then continues on a UK tour until the beginning of October.

Many thanks to Adam and also to Stephanie, Fran and Molly at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre for making us feel so welcome during our recording!

-

https://www.mradamcooper.com

On the last episode, I spoke to cellist Gabriella Swallow. This guest describes her as her "mysterious benefactor!"

Like Gabriella, Verity Simmons is one of the most in-demand and versatile cellists within the music industry. She has a wide range of work from chamber music, West End shows, and being a session musician with some of the leading pop artists. You might also recognise her as the presenter of the popular podcast Three In a Bar which she hosts with fellow musician Seb Philpott where they’ve talked to a range of musicians, performers and creatives.

I met Verity back in April in London at the Caravan Café on a wet morning but that was made up with some excellent coffee and ambiance. We talked about her musical training, making the transition between college and the profession, playing and adapting styles for different repertoire such as West End shows and pop music, and presenting and podcasting.

https://www.estilostringquartet.com

https://www.threeinabar.com

Gabriella Swallow is one of the most in-demand and versatile cellists in the music industry. She plays everything from traditional classical repertoire to contemporary music, and playing with pop artists. She’s about to finish playing in the band for the acclaimed West End show Standing at the Sky’s Edge, a love letter to the city of Sheffield back dropped by the songs of Richard

I met Gabriella back in May. Gabriella has an extremely busy schedule so we were able to fit in a record in the foyer of the Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House, in between coming from teaching and just before she was about to play in the show that evening.

We talked about her musical background, mental health and teaching practices, collaborating with pop artists and celebrity performers such as Hugh Jackman and Rob Brydon, her special English cello which she plays in Standing at the Sky’s Edge and memorable moments on stage!

https://www.gabriellaswallow.com

Camilla Harris is a British soprano, fast establishing herself in the opera world. Camilla and I were at university

Among the topics we talked about included: Camilla’s journey into music, the importance of her training as a chorister, training at college and during the COVID-19 pandemic, recital programmes (including Camilla’s debut

Camilla is currently singing the role of Helena in Britten’s

-

https://www.camillaharrissoprano.com

Ed Lyon is an internationally recognised tenor who enjoys a career in a wide range of repertoire from the Baroque to contemporary music, and performs in many of the major opera houses and concert platforms around the world. He is also a therapist, who specialises in helping people in the classical music industry deal with its unique challenges. 

Last month, I played in a concert of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion where Ed was singing the role of the Evangelist. The concert also featured the St. Albans Bach Choir and Sinfonia Verdi Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Lucas. A few weeks after the concert, I met Ed in London to talk more about the day, as well as his work and approaches as a singer and therapist. 

Among the topics we discuss include: what can be the impact of therapeutic techniques for classical musicians; identity as a classical musician; performance anxiety; the importance of creating a safe environment in rehearsals and performance; cultivating your mindset as a performer; and Ed’s approach to the role of the Evangelist.

I was moved by how openly Ed spoke about his own experiences. It was also really insightful to understand classical music performance within psychological and therapeutic frameworks.

Thank you so much Ed for taking the time to speak, and also to Ed Maitland Smith at the Barbican Centre for kindly hosting and providing us with a room. Check out their season for the rest of this year and next!

-

https://edlyon.info

https://www.edlyon-therapy.co.uk

-

Emily Pailthorpe is an internationally renowned oboist who also practises as a psychotherapist, seeing clients for the NHS and at The Door clinic in Chiswick, as well as online in private practice. I spoke to Emily in June when we talked about her versatile work in oboe playing and psychotherapy, and how both areas relate to each other. This led us to talk about a range of topics such as the healing power of music, mental health and wellbeing, breathwork, and two pieces that Emily has recorded for her YouTube channel: Britten's Six Metamorphoses after Ovid and an instrumental reinterpretation of Vaughan Williams's great art song, Silent Noon. These two works speak to the psyche and the great emotive sway music has on both player and listener.
www.emilypailthorpe.com
www.emilypailthorpetherapy.com
www.conchord.co.uk

Trailer for Six Metamorphoses after Ovid film. The full film will be premiered on Emily's YouTube channel on 10 January 2024, followed by a Q&A. Subscribe to Emily's YouTube channel for the release: https://www.youtube.com/@EmilyPailthorpe.

Emily performs Silent Noon (for oboe and piano) by Vaughan Williams, accompanied by Julian Milford. Enjoy a sample of this performance towards the beginning and end of the podcast!

Emily talks about Silent Noon.

Interview with Emily recorded 26 June 2023 at Richmond Library Annexe, London. Updated and published 24 November 2023.

Thank you to Alitu for the amazing audio editing software to help with the podcast; it's so simple and easy to use for anyone looking to make a podcast and wanting to make editing stress free! https://alitu.com.