AA Opera

WE ARE BACK! Season 8 kicks off with International Opera Singer, Stage and Screen Actor, Zachary James! Ash + Avi chat to Zach about his career in showbiz and how we can as artists can embrace versatility! Such an inspiring episode, we hope you enjoy. Zach's Links: Website | Instagram Our Links:Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee 

This week Ash + Avi welcome Mezzo-Soprano Kitty Whately. We find out about her exciting career and her latest album release ‘Befreit: A Soul Surrendered’. Kitty is also the co-founder of SWAP'ra. A fantastic organisation for women and parents within the Opera industry. Tune in to find out about their mission, values and how to get involved! Kitty's Links: Instagram | Twitter | Listen | Album Our Links:⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Buy us a Coffee 

This week Ash + Avi chat with international Opera Director Bruno Ravella. Bruno shares his directing story so far, we discuss the importance of languages, the perks of working abroad and advice for aspiring directors. Make sure you're following Bruno to keep up to date with his latest productions! Bruno's Links: Website | Instagram | Wexford Festival Support the Podcast Buy us a coffee

This week Ash + Avi are joined by Rachael Williams, CEO of Streetwise Opera. Rachael shares with us what Streetwise Opera is all about and WOW - what a fantastic organisation. We also chat about what it means to be a good leader within this industry, alongside a few nuggets of advice for emerging producers.  We hope you enjoy! Make sure you check out the links below to learn more and support Streetwise Opera.  Streetwise Links Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Follow Rachael Twitter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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! ______________ Harry's Links: Website | Instagram | 'The Floating Boy' EP Support us: www.patreon.com/aaopera Our links: Website | Instagram --- 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

Get ready to have a good time everybody! On this week's episode, we are joined by Mexican Tenor, Eleazar Rodríguez. An acclaimed international opera singer celebrated for his vibrancy, and he certainly brings smiles to us in this interview. You may also know him as a comedy extraordinaire riding the wave of Reels over on Instagram, we really have him to thank for bringing some much-needed humour through what has been a difficult year in the Opera industry. Listen in for insights into his career and invaluable advice for artists! Our composer of the month Harry Baker is also here to showcase his second piece ''Seven Swans A-Swimming" Check out all links below! Eleazar's Links: Website | Instagram Harry's Links: Website | Instagram Support us: www.patreon.com/aaopera Our links: www.aaoperapod.com Get in touch click here --- 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

We are delighted to be joined by Mezzo-Soprano Claire Barnett-Jones! Claire has been a busy bee since we recorded this interview... Winning the Dame Joan Sutherland Audience Prize in Cardiff Singer of the World 2021 has been a particular highlight! What a treat to be joined by such a wonderful lady who is taking the Operatic world by storm! We chat about Claire's early steps in the industry, insights into the Harewood Artist Program at ENO, and we chat about performing in a pandemic! Also, hear about how you can join the Opera community over on Clubhouse! That's not all, composer of the month is BACK! Harry Baker will be with us throughout August, tune in and check out the links below to discover his music!  Claire's Links: Website: www.clairebarnettjones.com Insta: www.instagram.com/cbjmezzo/?hl=en Support us: www.patreon.com/aaopera Our links: www.aaoperapod.com Get in touch click here --- 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

This week we chat with composer Will Todd! His music is celebrated all over the world from Mass in Blue being one of the most famous choral pieces, to his arrangement of Amazing Grace being performed at President Obama's inauguration day- Yes, this guy is pretty special! Will's music is valued for being super exciting as he blends genres together! We chat specifically about his Opera compositions and collaborations but be sure to check out Will's full collection of Choral, Orchestral, and musical theatre works, there's so much to explore! Will's Links: Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1vsrQEpLq1U4jxBvZPThBI?si=uGwxBwhuQ420--KavJ9z7Q Twitter: https://twitter.com/Will_Todd_Music?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Website: https://willtodd.co.uk/ Support us: www.patreon.com/aaopera Our links: www.aaoperapod.com Get in touch click here --- 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

Ash + Avi chat with tenor and writer Christopher Gillett.  If there's anyone who shares our love of Benjamin Britten, Chris is the guy! So much so, he's got a brand new book all about 'Knowing Britten'.Tune in for some top-notch Britten chat, industry insights, and hear about the wonderful work of  Wild Plum Arts!  We are also delighted to launch our brand new segment "Composer of the month". Our first shining star is Anna Appleby! This weeks quiz was "Is it an Opera or an Apple" if you'd like to play click here Chris's Links: NEW BOOK: Order 'Knowing Britten" Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenormezzo/?hl=en  Website: https://christophergillett.co.uk/ Wild Plum Arts: https://www.instagram.com/wildplumarts/?hl=en Composer of the month:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snappleby_composer/?hl=en Website: https://www.annaappleby.com/ Support us: www.patreon.com/aaopera Our links: www.aaoperapod.com Get in touch click here --- 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

Listen in and cheers with us to AA Opera 🥂 Our final episode is full of nostalgia, reflection and an update on what's next for us both. Thanks to everyone that has been a part of our podcast of almost 5 years and 106 episodes! With Love, Ash + Avi xoxo

This week Ash + Avi are joined by the fantastic world renowned mezzo, Kate Lindsey! Kate’s career is one so many singers aspire to. She shares what her journey has been like, working on special projects like “Handmaids Tale” as well as motherhood as an opera singer. We hope you love this episode as much as we do. Kate's Links: Website | Instagram Our Links:Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee 

This week Ash + Avi sit down with one of Opera's freshest and most celebrated Tenors, Freddie De Tommaso. Freddie reflects on his Opera Journey so far and how it came to be! He also shares the inspiration behind his debut album 'Passione' and his latest chart-topping release Il Tenore. What a pleasure it was to talk to such a genuine and talented artist. Enjoy! Freddie's Links: Website | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music Our Links:Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee 

This week Ash + Avi got to chat with Baritone Benson Wilson. Benson is currently a Harewood artist at ENO. Benson Talks about the influence of his heritage on his performances and how he has developed a career in the industry as well as what it means to him to be an opera singer. Benson's links:

This week Ash + Avi are in the hot seat! And are share some very big news... What could it be? Tune into episode 100 to find out everything!  Our Links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee