Greg Eldridge, Director | 2016 Update

Lovely to read Australian Director, Greg Eldridge’s 2016 update. His career has flourished in the UK thanks mainly to his 2 years with the Royal Opera House, Jette Parker Young Artist Programme, Covent Garden. His articles about his work as an assistant director, shared by Melbourne based arts magazine, Rehearsal Magazine,  giving us a look behind the scenes with Neil Armfield’s production of Wagner’s, The Ring Cycle with Opera Australia are brilliant, and give us  a rare insight into the hard work and discipline required to produce such a complex piece.

We wish Greg all the very best of success in 2017. We just found out that he was named 2016 Outstanding Director for an Independent Company by Opera Chaser for his production of Trouble of Tahiti for the Nagambie Lakes Opera Festival. Congratulations from us all at the Tait.

Outstanding Director – Independent
Greg Eldridge
Trouble in Tahiti, Gertrude Opera for the Nagambie Lakes Opera Festival

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END OF YEAR NEWSLETTER

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Welcome to my final update for 2016!

I’m excited both to be looking back on a hugely eventful year and looking forward to the exciting new challenges of 2017. This last 12 months has seen me see out my position as Jette Parker Associate Director at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden as well as directing shows in Italy and China and working for the first time with Opera Australia on their Ring Cycle.

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This year, I’ve worked on a total of 10 operas, 2 plays and a dance piece, and I’ve been blessed to have worked with a huge number of amazing colleagues both on- and off-stage. I’ve been pleased also to continue my work with emerging singers and directors as a mentor and speaker for the Stonecrabs Young Directors Training Programme, Cooper Hall Opera Club, Music Academy International, Gertrude Opera Studio, and through various talks and workshops for The Royal Opera.

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I’ve also been honoured this year to have been appointed to the Opera Committee of Stage Directors UK, where I have joined fellow directors Sam Brown and Elijah Moshinsky to work on behalf of opera directors in the UK. SDUK represents the interests of directors across all forms of theatre and at all stages of career, and I encourage anyone who is involved in this area of theatre practice to join now!

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I’m really grateful to have had such an amazing year, and I’m looking forward to 2017, which will see me work in 5 countries on some of my favourite pieces – details to come…

—–Read More—–

Source: 2016 Update

Kiandra Howarth, Soprano – Success at the Royal Opera House

Australian soprano, Kiandra Howarth, a member of the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme had a great success at the ROH. Blogger and opera reviewer Sarah Noble @primalamusica reporting from London ROH’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites by Poulenc-“.

Thought the Bel Canto crowd would like to hear about another Aussie success – Kiandra Howarth went on this morning as Soeur Constance in the general of Carmelites (replacing an ill Anna Prohaska) and did a truly wonderful job.

Kiandra Howarth
Kiandra Howarth, Soprano

A masterclass in how to triumph as a cover – if I hadn’t known, I’d have sworn she’d been in it from the start. Can’t wait to see and hear more from her, here and elsewhere. We also had the luxury of Catherine Carby as Soeur Mathilde!’

Sarah Noble reporting from London ROH.

Catherine Carby
Catherine Carby, Mezzo-Soprano

This story was published on the belcanto page on facebook from a story by Sarah Noble, Primalamusica.typepad.com

Letter from Lauren Fagan – Soprano

Dear Friends and Family,

It has been awhile since I last wrote with an update on things happening in London so hope you enjoy some of my news and developments.

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Lauren Fagan – Soprano, Pinnochio, GSMD 2014

It seems like a long time ago now but less than a month ago we had the performances of my final opera at Guildhall ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’. We were lucky enough to have Jonathan Dove the composer come to many of the rehearsals and also to work with Eilene Hannan on the English as they riskily decided to have no surtitles for the performances. Overall the opera was very well received as it was the first time a conservatoire had performed it. I have included some photos from the show – the Blue paint was very hard to get off every night and my elbows have only just come clean.

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Glyndebourne chorus rehearsals started two weeks ago, I have moved from London to the beautiful town of Lewes (the main town closest to Glyndebourne).

I am living in a big house with my friend Josh, another singer from Guildhall – although there are lots of singers all scattered around the town.

We each have our own room and big living space but share the house with an older couple. I’m very glad I chose to live in Lewes as it makes it possible to go in early to practice and also spend time with all the other singers (however in saying that, it is just over an hour to get back into London by train so will be going back most weekends to keep singing lessons up).

The first opera I am a part of is Eugene Onegin – last week the main challenge was working on all the Russian but it has all come together very quickly and the sound is very impressive already. Shortly we will begin work on La traviata (where I will be covering one of the small roles ‘Annina’) and then later on Don Giovanni.

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A few days ago The Royal Opera House announced the coming season for next year. I have been giving some nice little roles that will allow me to ease into the intense year coming up.

My biggest role will be singing Giulia in Rossini’s ‘La scala di seta’. This opera won’t be on the main house stage but is a chance to perform with the other new Young Artists and with orchestra. I have already started working hard on this role as Giulia rarely leaves the stage and the role involves a fair amount of coloratura (fast passages of notes), which my voice is currently not particularly attuned to doing!! I’m feeling very motivated to develop this technique as I think if I can master this role a whole new area of repertoire will be opened up to me and I also want to make a good first impression.

For the Opera house main stage I’m very excited to be singing Papagena in Die Zauberflote and will also be one of the ‘Girls’ in The Rise and Fall of Mahagonny.

The roles that I will be covering include Gianetta in L’elisir d’amore, Oskar in Un ballo in maschera and Jemmy in Guillaume Tell – there are a lot of big names singing the lead roles in these operas so will be great to see them at work.

Here is more information about the season if of interest:    http://www.roh.org.uk/news/opera-and-music-201415

Just before heading to Glyndebourne I had the Jette Parker Induction week. The other 4 young artists selected had come from all over to be there; it was a funny experience to be the only girl with four extremely tall boys but I’m sure I will get used to it 🙂 It was also nice to see the two other Australian’s Sam and Sam who I know well from my time with the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust

We launched straight into a week of sessions to give us a taste of the various coaches and services we have access to – now and for the rest of our lives!

Over the week we were involved in sessions including Stage Fighting, Media and Interviews, Stagecraft, Movement, Alexander technique, Vocal Coaching with a number of regarded teachers (including Yvonne Kelly), and Mind Skills – which I found particularly interesting as the woman taking the session is able to help with things from organisation, to calming nerves, building adrenalin and switching off after performances to fall asleep.

So far I am loving my first real taste of singing work – although sometimes it’s hard to think of Glyndebourne as work when you are singing in such a beautiful environment.

Hope all of you are well, and would love to hear any news from back home.

Lauren FaganLove Lauren

The Trust are thrilled for Lauren and for the two Sams, Sam Sakker and Sam Johnson, for gaining 3 of the 5 coveted positions at Covent Garden. They will be joining Australian soprano Kiandra Howarth and stage director Greg Eldridge in the programme.

http://www.roh.org.uk/news/five-new-singers-to-join-the-jette-parker-young-artists-programme-in-september-2014

 

Photos are copyright to Clive Barda

 

Tait Friends at Stoke Lodge 18th March 2014

On Tuesday March 18th the Trust invited our Friends to the home of the Australian High Commissioner, Stoke Lodge. The evening was hosted by Sasha Carruozzo, wife of Mike Rann CNZM the Australian High Commissioner, and by Tait Memorial Trust Chairman, Isla Baring OAM. The Trust are terribly grateful to Mike and Sasha and want to publicly thank them for their generosity in allowing us to use their home to entertain our guests.

Isla Baring OAM giving her welcome speech to our guests
Lindsay Birrell, President of Legacy UK, Isla Baring OAM and Mrs Jenny Dunn
Lindsay Birrell, President of Legacy UK, Isla Baring OAM and Mrs Jenny Dunn
Tait Friends, Mr and Mrs Ian Tegner with TMT Awardee, Benjamin Mellefont
Tait Friends, Mr and Mrs Ian Tegner and Mrs Karen Goldie-Morrison with TMT Awardee 2013, Benjamin Mellefont

We were delighted to welcome many of our most valued and generous supporters, the Deputy Australian High Commissioner, Mr Andrew Todd and his wife, and the Agents’ General of Western Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.

Awardees present included: Greta Bradman, Soprano; Benjamin Mellefont, Clarinet; Xenia Deviatkina-Loh, Violin; Sophie Moffatt, Ballet; Kevin Penkin, Composition (2013/14 Tait Scholar); Calvin Richardson, Ballet and Adam Szabo, Cello.

Great Bradman TMT Awardee with Sasha Carruozzo
Greta Bradman TMT Awardee with Sasha Carruozzo

Joining us was Sam Sakker, a young Australian tenor who is to sing at the Royal Opera House in their Jette Parker Young Artist Programme from September 2014, who sang Lehar’s classic, Dein is mein ganzes Herz and the Australian National Anthem all a capella. He has the most thrilling voice with the richest/warmest tone. Adam Szabo, Tait Awardee 2013, played some selections from JS Bach’s cello suites…incredibly beautifully.

TMT Awardees 2013, Calvin Richardson & Sophie Moffatt with Miss Leanne Benjamin OBE and Tait Friend, Mrs Sue Lloyd
TMT Awardees 2013, Calvin Richardson & Sophie Moffatt with Miss Leanne Benjamin OBE and Tait Friend, Mrs Sue Lloyd

 Tait Friends

We launched our new Friends scheme which includes a new initiative called, Adopt a Performer. The scheme would link a donor, or a group of donors, to one awardee for three years ( the length of the typical undergraduate degree or course) For a minimum subscription of £75 Tait Friends receive discounts to Tait events and an invitation to an annual reception. The greatest benefit to all donors is the knowledge that they are making a tangible difference to the life of a young Australian performing artist. More information about our new Friends scheme can be found here

 Julian Gavin, new Tait Patron

Our new Patron, Australian international tenor, Julian Gavin was introduced to our Friends and has agreed to join our Music Board (the selection process for the 2014/15 awards begins soon. Applications for music awards close on Monday 31st March. More info here

The Leanne Benjamin Awards

Isla Baring OAM with Leanne Benjamin OBE
Isla Baring OAM with Leanne Benjamin OBE

An honoured guest was Australian principal ballerina, Leanne Benjamin OBE. Recently retired from The Royal Ballet after a 21 year first class career with the company, Miss Benjamin has agreed to join us to create a new award(s) in her name which will help fund the studies of young Australian dancers in the UK. Called The Leanne Benjamin Awards the Trust are producing a gala reception with a masterclass taken by Miss Benjamin and Australian senior teacher at the school, Mark Annear, at The Royal Ballet School, Floral Street, Covent Garden. This fundraising event will be held in the Linden Studio at The Royal Ballet School on Thursday 12th June. We are very grateful to the staff and students at the school for allowing us to use this excellent venue for our event.

 

 

Tickets to this special Tait event are available here

 

Tait Patron, Julian Gavin with Tait Committee member, Jan Gowrie-Smith and Tait Trustee, Susie Thornton
Tait Patron, Julian Gavin with Tait Committee member, Jan Gowrie-Smith and Tait Trustee, Susie Thornton
Adam Szabo, Cello. Awardee 2013 playing at the Tait Friends event
Adam Szabo, Cello. Awardee 2013 playing at the Tait Friends event
Tenor, Sakker with TMT Executive Director, James Hancock and the Queensland Agent General, Ken Smith OBE
Tenor, Sakker with TMT Executive Director, James Hancock and the Queensland Agent General, Ken Smith OBE
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Tait Friend, Mrs Pamela le Couter; TMT Awardee 2013, Greta Bradman and Tait Trustee, Mrs Shirley Barr
Group shot of Awardees with Isla Baring OAM, Julian Gavin, Sam Sakker and Leanne Benjamin OBE
Group shot of Awardees with Isla Baring OAM, Julian Gavin, Sam Sakker and Leanne Benjamin OBE

Five new singers to join the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme in September 2014 < News – Royal Opera House

Lauren Fagan, Soprano

Thrilled to be able to announce that 2013 Tait Awardee, Lauren Fagan has been offered a place in the Royal Opera House, Jette Parker Young Artists Programme to begin in September 2014. The news is even sweeter as two other young Australian singers have also been offered a place; Tenor, Sam Sakker and Baritone, Samuel Johnson. Congratulations to you all

 

Five new singers to join the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme in September 2014 < News – Royal Opera House.