May News
Here's the newsletter rewritten in Opera Prelude's warm, editorial voice:
May at Opera Prelude
What a month it has been. May brought us lectures and recitals, masterclasses and mainstage debuts — a full and joyful programme that reminded us why we do what we do.
We opened with tenor Robert Forrest, whose lecture recital The Emergence of the Lyric Tenor at Holy Trinity Church took audiences from the baroque to the romantic in fine style. Arias from L'Orfeo, Semele, Don Giovanni and beyond gave Robert ample opportunity to demonstrate the extraordinary emotional range of the tenor voice — passion, grief, love, and everything in between. One audience member summed it up rather well: an excellent morning's entertainment, with great singing, playing, research and presentation. We were delighted to see Robert again later in the week in Henley.
On the evening of the 13th, we brought our beloved recital series with the William Morris Society at Kelmscott House to a close. Baritone Stephen Whitford and pianist George Ireland offered a tender tribute to Morris's romantic spirit in The House of Life: Love, Beauty and the Soul of William Morris — a fitting farewell to a collaboration we have treasured deeply. Kelmscott House is a truly special place, and we cannot recommend it warmly enough. Our heartfelt thanks go to Stephen and George, and to Catherine Hooper, Kristina Ammattil and Archie Bonham for their wonderful contributions across the series.
On the 18th, we were thrilled to welcome soprano Eyra Norman to our OperaBites stage in Hampstead — fresh from her victory in the song category at the Kathleen Ferrier Awards in April. Eyra's coloratura is something to behold: brilliant, precise, and utterly captivating. Her Queen of the Night was a genuine highlight of the afternoon, and we are already looking forward to the day we see her take on that role in a full production.
We closed the month with something truly extraordinary. World-renowned mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina joined us to lead a masterclass with three of our young mezzo artists — Klara Solen, Emma Roberts and Nancy Holt — sharing her insight, generosity and artistry with them and with our audience. We are so grateful for her time, and were moved by her warmth towards our singers. She wrote afterwards:
"Thank you so much to @operaprelude for the invitation and for creating such a warm atmosphere. It was a real pleasure to work with these wonderful singers. Thank you for the inspiration and trust, and wishing you all the luck on your journeys ahead."
Aigul, the pleasure was entirely ours.
Elsewhere in May
Our artists have been busy across the country. Erin Rossington (soprano) covered the role of Bronwen in Blaze of Glory! at Welsh National Opera. Alexandria Moon began appearing as Flora in La Traviata at Garsington Opera from the 27th, where she is also covering Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier. OP alumnus Eliran Kadussi (countertenor) began rehearsals for Krishna at Grange Park Opera, and alumna Phoebe Smith toured the country in English Touring Opera's production of The Gondoliers.
We are so proud of every one of them. Roll on June.