barbirolli's ambition was to conduct. he was the prime mover in establishing the guild of singers and players chamber orchestra in 1924, and in 1926 he was invited to conduct a new ensemble at the chenil gallery in chelsea, initially called the "chenil chamber orchestra" but later renamed "john barbirolli's chamber orchestra". barbirolli's concerts impressed frederic austin, director of the british national opera company (bnoc), who in the same year invited him to conduct some performances with the company. barbirolli had never conducted a chorus or a large orchestra, but had the confidence to accept. he made his operatic debut directing gounod's "roméo et juliette" at newcastle, followed within days by performances of "aida" and "madama butterfly". he conducted the bnoc frequently over the next two years, and made his debut at the royal opera house, covent garden, with "madama butterfly" in 1928. the following year he was invited to conduct the opening work in covent garden's international season, "don giovanni", with a cast that included mariano stabile, elisabeth schumann and heddle nash.