Episodes
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This week on AA Opera we were joined by Louise Bakker - Stage Director. Louise talks about building a career as a director within Opera, the wonderful production of Orpheus in the Underworld at RCM, her work at Aylesbury Opera and the importance of learning and participation within the Industry. This episode also tackles tough topics of life at Conservatoire and arts funding cuts.
Tune in and be inspired!
Louise's links:
Website | Instagram -
This week Ash + Avi chatted with Mezzo-Soprano Sophie Dicks. Sophie has been working in the UK opera industry since she was a student at Conservatoire . She has performed with Opera Holland Park, English Touring Opera, Welsh National Opera, and more. Sophie opened up to us about her vocal health journey as well as her newest journey of becoming a mother while continuing to pursue a career onstage. And as she says "everyone else has to just get on board with it."
We know you will love Sophie and visits from her daughter Bowie just as much as we do. Enjoy!
Sophie's links:
Website | InstagramOur Links:
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This week we chat with our dear friend and Soprano Anush Hovhannisyan. Anush is the face of Opera's future and we are delighted to share this episode in which Anush shares her story of her musical childhood in Armenia and how she came to grace the UK Opera scene with her extraordinary voice and stage presence. We also dive deep into conversations about artistic development. Enjoy!
Anush's Links:
Website | Instagram |
Our links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee -
This week we chat with Mezzo-Soprano Kezia Bienek! Kezia is making a name for herself on stages all across the UK. Right now in Madam Butterfly with WNO, you can also catch her in the title role of Carmen this summer at Opera Holland Park and with Opera North later this year... an exciting career alongside being a parent and a trained Birth & Postnatal Doula - say what?!?! Yes - an amazing lady.
We admire Kezia so much! It's such a joy to share this episode!
Kezia's Links:
Website | Instagram | Carmen Tickets
Help Ukraine 🇺🇦
Donate Here
Support us:www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
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This week Ash + Avi got to chat with performer, educator and collaborator, Mikael Eliasen.
Mikael has over 30 years of experiences as head of Opera at the Curtis Institue in Philadephia. He also worked closely with San Fransico Opera and has many more years of experience traveling around the world performing recitals. Mikael has a wealth of knowledge and a love for opera, new and old. You don't want to miss this epsiode!
Support us:www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
Help Ukraine 🇺🇦
Donate Here
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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
Support us:www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
Help Ukraine 🇺🇦
Donate Here
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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
London Early Music | LEO Instagram | LEO TwitterHelp Ukraine 🇺🇦
Donate Here
Support us:www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
Hope you enjoy! xxx
Love,
Ash & Avi -
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
Support us:www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
Hope you enjoy! xxx
Love,
Ash & Avi -
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!
If you like G&S you are also in for a treat!
This weeks 'Know it All' is brought to you by Ashleigh!Links for 'Drops': https://bit.ly/3KAdAot *
John's Links:Website | Instagram
Support us:www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
Hope you enjoy! xxx
Love,
Ash & Avi*Affiliate link
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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
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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
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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.
She also talked about her experience at The Belvedere Singing Competition and she is full of knowledge and wisdom. And most recently she made her English National Opera debut in Philip Glass' Satyagrha. We hope you enjoy!Verity's Links:
Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Support us:
www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
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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:
Website | Instagram
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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!
ARC is also now for his critically acclaimed performance of Philip Glass' Akhenaten, which he originated and will be return to this year. He's also a Grammy award nominee for he solo album ARC. Anthony is such an inspiration for his work on and off stage.
We hope you enjoy getting to know Anthony and all the amazing things he brings to the world. Including his newest album, “Only an Octave Apart” with Mx Justin Vivian Bond.This months Composer of the Month is Joanna Ward. Her piece this week is called "Two Greenhouses", enjoy!
This week Avi brings you a short introduction to composer Phillip Glass in our new segment Knowing it All.
We hope you enjoy,
Love, Ash + Avi xxxAnthony Roth Costanzo Links:
Website | Instagram
Joanna Links:Website | Instagram
Support us:
www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
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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
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Hello and we are back this week with the wonderful Baritone Ross Ramgobin.
Ross is a staple figure in today's opera scene preforming on many of the worlds great stages. This episode we discussed learning music, mental health, the love of football and lots about opera of course!
We also had a guest in the background serenading this recording. Let us know if you can figure out what they are singing.
We are with another mini-lecture (please help with a name for this segment!) led by Avi.
Hope you enjoy, Ash + Avi xxx
Ross Links:
Website | Instagram
Support us:
www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
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Ash + Avi are BACK! Season 6 is officially a go and they are here with a new episode... every week!
To kick it off we have Opera Director Amy Lane! Tune in to hear about her fascinating career path from starting out as a professional singer, to finding a passion for Stage Management all before having a successful Directing career. Amy has such a wealth of knowledge and experience to share! 💡
Alongside her directing engagements worldwide, she is now the Artistic Director of the Copenhagen Opera Festival.
I don't think we've ever had an episode filled with so much variety! There's something for everyone.
Enjoy!
Amy's Links:
Twitter | Instagram
Support us:
www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
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This week Ash + Avi are signing off season 5 with a BANG! This weeks guest is non other than Grammy award winner Soprano Angel Blue!
Angel has one of the most exciting contemporary careers with a schedule filled with performances on all the major stages in the world. She shares overcoming rejection, focusing on your craft and approaching everything with a positive smile and an open heart!
You most definitely do not want to miss this episode! And follow Angel on her social media so you do not miss a thing she does!
Angel's Links:
Website | Instagram
Support us:
www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
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This episode is sponsored by
· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aa-opera/support
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Our composer of the month Harry Baker joins us for a full episode! Harry Baker is an award-winning improvising pianist and composer active in jazz, classical, and new-music settings.
Harry shares his story, tips and tricks for aspiring composers. Not only that, we get insight into his performances on stage and radio, as well as collaborations with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and the award-winning Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
Be sure to check out Harry’s debut EP, ‘The Floating Boy’ it's a suite for big band and voices, recorded live by Oxford University Jazz Orchestra and The Oxford Gargoyles.
Enjoy!
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Harry's Links:
Website | Instagram | 'The Floating Boy' EP
Support us:
www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
Website | Instagram
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This episode is sponsored by
· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aa-opera/support
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Hello and here we go! This episode is mostly just Ash + Avi have the best time! In addition to the last segment from this weeks 'Composer of the Month' Harry Baker!
But this episode is really quizzical! have a listen and we would love to hear your answers and what was the most surprising thing you learned about us?
Harry's Links:
Website | Instagram
Support us:
www.patreon.com/aaopera
Our links:
www.aaoperapod.com
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