Interviews / Q&A
OPERA STUDIES EVENTS
"Divas & Scholars makes learning about this most complex of art forms a richly enjoyable pleasure."
Rupert Christiansen, Opera Critic, The Telegraph
"Divas & Scholars is an excellent project!"
Jason Orange, Take That
"An entertaining and informative way to get inside the world of opera."
Danielle de Niese, Glyndebourne
Divas & Scholars creates events for people interested in learning more about opera. We introduce you to celebrated opera insiders who share their insights and experiences of this compelling and multi-layered art form. We combine fascinating talks with live performances and the opportunity to meet personally with opera luminaries in a relaxed social setting. You can discuss opera over dinner or a drinks reception with our star speakers and opera singers.
Whether you are new to the art form or are already an aficionado you will hear beautiful music, be entertained and will learn something new from our experts. We have hosted speakers including the international diva and chatelaine of Glyndebourne Danielle de Niese, the globally esteemed opera director and former Principle Resident Director of the Royal Opera House John Copley CBE and the conductor and former Director of Music at the English National Opera, Edward Gardner OBE.
We have been arranging seminars and performances, master-classes, opera parties and courses since 2011. Our first Opera Studies Series in association with the National Opera Studio began in 2015. The key events were ten evening seminars with performances given by the National Opera Studio Young Artists. We teamed these young artists with established opera luminaries at each event. Recently we offered a series of very popular evenings at the exclusive Club at The Ivy. This was a pre- opera festival series highlighting The Grange Festival. Artistic Director Michael Chance CBE lead the discussions with conductors and directors and illustrative recitals were given by members of the cast from their 2017 season.
We are proud to present many young opera singers and rising stars of the future at our events giving them a new platform and performance opportunities working alongside established performers.
Director, Lucy Woodruff BA (hons), MA
Video of some recent events.
Music Festival in Florence – Divas & Scholars exclusive tour 2020
A Divas & Scholars Music Tour - New Generation Festival at Palazzo Corsini al Prato Florence.
26 - 30 August. In association with the producers of the New Generation Festival, we have curated an exclusive package of events - expert talks, private recitals and parties in addition to all the main events, concerts and the opera, Rossini's version of the Cinderella story, Cenerentola.
Opera at Tramp. Soprano Rebecca Bottone's roles and favourite arias.
The soprano Rebecca Bottone and pianist Harry Sever perform arias and talk about the soprano repertoire. This will be a brilliant insight evening with a stunning recital. Rebecca performs at The Royal Opera House and beyond.
The Women in Czech Opera. Female characters in Janacek and Dvorak.
The soprano Samantha Crawford and pianist Lada Valesova perform arias and talk about the fascinating female roles in Czech opera. Often psychologically vivid and intense, characters such as Rusalka, Marenka, Katya Kabanova and Jenufa search for love, suffer betrayal and are tormented by impossible circumstances.
his will be a brilliant insight evening with a stunning recital. Samantha is a prize-winning rising singer who has been attracting attention for her recent performances at Teatro Real Madrid, Glyndebourne, Scottish Opera, Garsington and Edinburgh Festival. Lada Valesova is a specialist in this repertoire.
Exclusive opera festival tour – Florence 2021
Opera Travel with Divas & Scholars
We are happy to announce a new collaboration with an established cultural tour operator.
Lucy will be leading fabulous adventures to exciting opera houses and international music festivals.
We are busy making plans for 2020. Stay tuned...
A selection of our events – video.
Watch highlights of several events.
Mozart Circle Interviews Lucy about Mozart and Le Nozze di Figaro evening
Many thanks to the Mozart Circle for asking me to write an account of our evening on Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro and for interviewing me about Divas & Scholars, my life in Vienna, my thoughts about books and films on Mozart and more. I hope you enjoy it! Divas & Scholars' next Mozartian event will be on Don Giovanni on 3rd June 2019.
http://mozartcircle.porticodoro.com/mzc/interviews/?Id=January2019
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