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  1. Discover more
  2. Articles

Articles

Read the latest articles from our Young Artists, industry experts and academics.

If you would like to contribute to our articles, please contact [email protected] 

In conversation with...Siân Griffiths

In conversation with...Siân Griffiths

Ahead of our residency with Welsh National Opera, we catch up with one of our 2021/22 Young Artists Siân Griffiths who, alongside her colleagues, will be taking to the Donald Gordon Stage at Wales Millennium Centre this Sunday to perform our specially curated programme entitled 'Anarchy at the Opera'. Read more

Published: 4th March, 2022

Author: Peter Di Toro

Q&A with Brindley Sherratt

Q&A with Brindley Sherratt

December 2021

2021/22 Young Artist, Mezzo-soprano Joanna Harries, catches up with internationally-acclaimed Bass Brindley Sherratt following a masterclass he gave at the National Opera Studio. They talk about singing, practice regimes, being "match fit" and his former life as a trumpeter. Read more

Published: 16th December, 2021

Updated: 21st December, 2021

Author: Peter Di Toro

My time on 'Discovering Opera'

My time on 'Discovering Opera'

30 September 2021

Marco Titus - a recent graduate of the BA Acting course at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama - shares his experience of attending our Discovering Opera short course. Read more

Published: 30th September, 2021

Updated: 1st October, 2021

Author: Peter Di Toro

Coaching during Covid

Coaching during Covid

13 April 2021

Pianist and NOS Assistant Head of Music, Dearbhla Collins, discusses how her work at the National Opera Studio has been impacted by Covid-19 and shares the positives that have come out of this situation during coaching sessions with our Young Artists. Read more

Published: 13th April, 2021

Updated: 14th April, 2021

Author: Peter Di Toro

Stagecraft and movement during Covid

Stagecraft and movement during Covid

15 March 2021

David Sulkin OBE, shares an insight into how he has adapted and developed the stagecraft and movement offer at NOS during Covid-19 and discusses the incredible work being carried out by his team with our Young Artists. (Photo: 2020/21 Young Artist Jevan McAuley) Read more

Published: 15th March, 2021

Author: Peter Di Toro

Our Top Tips for Mastering Your Zoom Audition

Our Top Tips for Mastering Your Zoom Audition

14 January 2021

Getting ready for an online audition can be daunting. We’ve gathered together what we’ve learned from our Young Artists and scoured the net to compile our list of top tips to help you master the art of online auditioning. Read more

Published: 13th January, 2021

Updated: 4th February, 2021

Author: Peter Di Toro

Meet the Creators: Alex Ho

Meet the Creators: Alex Ho

13 November 2020

We 'Meet the Creators' ahead of the premiere of our contemporary opera project 12:42, and have asked composer Alex Ho about his new work 'Above the White Island'. Read more

Published: 10th November, 2020

Updated: 15th March, 2021

Author: Anne Sofie Grindstrand

Meet the Creators: Theophilus Kwek

Meet the Creators: Theophilus Kwek

12 November 2020

We 'Meet the Creators' ahead of the premiere of our contemporary opera project 12:42, and have asked librettist Theophilus Kwek about his new work 'Above the White Island'. Read more

Published: 10th November, 2020

Updated: 15th March, 2021

Author: Anne Sofie Grindstrand

UK-Russia Year of Music

UK-Russia Year of Music

In November 2019, six recent alumni of the National Opera Studio, Carly Owen (soprano), Heather Lowe (mezzo-soprano), Feargal Mostyn-Williams (countertenor), Andrew Henley (tenor), Emyr Wyn Jones (bass-baritone) and Emily Hooker (répétiteur) headed out to Moscow for a series of concerts as part of the 2019 UK-Russia Year of Music, coordinated and supported by the British Council. Read more

Published: 20th December, 2019

Updated: 23rd December, 2019

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

Meet the Composer: George Benjamin

Meet the Composer: George Benjamin

by Jessica Zammit
05 June 2019

In the final installation of this year's Meet the Composer series, we had a chat with George Benjamin, a scene from whose opera Written on Skin features in Voices of Now, the NOS's celebration of contemporary opera, opening this Friday at RADA Studio Theatre. Read more

Published: 5th June, 2019

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

Blond Eckbert by Judith Weir

Blond Eckbert by Judith Weir

by Judith Weir CBE
04 June 2019

Our latest production Voices of Now contains an extract from Judith Weir's opera Blond Eckbert. We are delighted that she found time to tell us about the opera in her own words. Read more

Published: 4th June, 2019

Updated: 5th June, 2019

Author: Deleted User

Meet the Composer: Emma Ruth-Richards

Meet the Composer: Emma Ruth-Richards

by Jessica Zammit
29 May 2019

Our latest production Voices of Now opens next week, and we were delighted to be able to have a chat with composer Emma Ruth-Richards about her opera Traffick, an extract from which features in the show. Read more

Published: 28th May, 2019

Updated: 29th May, 2019

Author: Deleted User

Meet the Composer: Stuart MacRae

Meet the Composer: Stuart MacRae

by Jessica Zammit
23 May 2019

As part of our meet the composer series, we grabbed 10 minutes with Stuart MacRae.

Extracts from Stuart's new opera Anthropocene will be featured in the National Opera Studio contemporary scenes production Voices of Now on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th June 2019. Read more

Published: 23rd May, 2019

Updated: 29th May, 2019

Author: Deleted User

Highlight of My Year: Barbara Hannigan Masterclass

Highlight of My Year: Barbara Hannigan Masterclass

By Lorena Paz Nieto, 2017/18 alumna
20 March 2019

It's not everyday you get to work with one of your idols. As part of the National Opera Studio's collaboration with the Royal Opera House's Insights programme, each year, the Young Artists have the opportunity to work with some of the industry's leading professionals. Read more

Published: 20th March, 2019

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

40th Anniversary Concert & Scottish Opera Residency

40th Anniversary Concert & Scottish Opera Residency

By Roberto Barbaro, tenor 2018/19
25 February 2019

Roberto Barbaro gives his insight into bringing our recent 40th Anniversary Concert and Scottish Opera residency to life. Read more

Published: 25th February, 2019

Updated: 17th June, 2019

Author: Deleted User

Last Days with Opera North

Last Days with Opera North

By Charlie Drummond, soprano 2018/19
21 December 2018

Soprano Charlie Drummond tells us about her experience, working with Opera North on creating and bringing to the stage Last Days. Read more

Published: 21st December, 2018

Updated: 22nd January, 2019

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

An afternoon at Chaseley

An afternoon at Chaseley

by Emyr Wyn Jones, bass-baritone

2017/18 alumnus Emyr Wyn Jones gives his account of especially moving performance, given to the residents of Chaseley Trust, a care home for those with severe physical disabilities, including those with spinal injuries, acquired brain injuries, stroke, loss of limbs and progressive conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Read more

Published: 22nd October, 2018

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

On the creation of

On the creation of "The People’s Council Sends a Message to the Viceroy"

by Oge Nwosu

Librettist Oge Nwosu shares her take on the creative process behind "The People’s Council Sends a Message to the Viceroy", one of the twelve brand new audition arias which form our forthcoming production 12:40. Read more

Published: 4th June, 2018

Updated: 22nd October, 2018

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

From Russia with Love: Scottish Opera Residency 2018

From Russia with Love: Scottish Opera Residency 2018

By Andrew Henley, tenor 2017/18
5 March 2018

After a whirlwind start to 2018 featuring an American opera scenes project with world-famous director Keith Warner and a French and German song project with the wonderful Iain Burnside, we were ready to get started on our main project of the Spring term – an all-Russian programme of scenes for our Scottish Opera residency. Read more

Published: 5th March, 2018

Updated: 13th August, 2018

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

Royal Opera House Masterclass with Joyce DiDonato

Royal Opera House Masterclass with Joyce DiDonato

By Sinéad O'Kelly, mezzo-soprano 2017/18
19 December 2017

It was truly a once in a lifetime experience to represent the NOS at the masterclass and sing for someone so admired and of such artistry. Read more

Published: 19th December, 2017

Updated: 13th August, 2018

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

National Opera Studio at Opera North 2017/18

National Opera Studio at Opera North 2017/18

By Polly Leech, mezzo-soprano 2017/18
18 December 2017

Our first term as NOS Young Artists saw us embark on a Handelian adventure with one of our partner companies, Opera North. One of the incredible parts of being a Young Artist is that we get to take part in three week-long residencies with the associate opera companies throughout the year, each with a focus on particular repertoire. Read more

Published: 18th December, 2017

Updated: 13th August, 2018

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

Meet the Composer: Errollyn Wallen

Meet the Composer: Errollyn Wallen

By Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan, Engagement and Communications Manager
2 May 2017

Completing our meet the composer series, we grabbed 10 minutes with Errollyn Wallen, whose new work Sabina has its premiere performance on 4, 5, 6 May as part of Dubai-Rostov-New York, our 2017 contemporary scenes production. Read more

Published: 2nd May, 2017

Updated: 5th March, 2018

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

Meet the Composer: Joanna Marsh

Meet the Composer: Joanna Marsh

By Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan, Engagement and Communications Manager
11 April 2017

The first act of Joanna Marsh's brand new work My Beautiful Camel has its premiere performance on 4, 5, 6 May as part of Dubai-Rostov-New York, our 2017 contemporary scenes production. We managed to grab a cup of tea and talk about the show. Read more

Published: 11th April, 2017

Updated: 5th March, 2018

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

Meet the composer: Elena Langer

Meet the composer: Elena Langer

By Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan, Engagement and Communications Manager
30 March 2017

With the rehearsals for our 2017 contemporary scenes production getting underway this week, we took 10 minutes to catch up with Elena Langer, composer of Four Sisters and The Storm Cloud (Tucha), both of which will be performed in their entirety. Read more

Published: 30th March, 2017

Updated: 5th March, 2018

Author: Nicholas Boyd-Vaughan

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Showing 10 of 28

Latest

  • Demystifying Auditions

    Demystifying Auditions

    Monday 12 – Friday 16 September 2022

    This is a course designed to demystify the audition, build confidence in front of a panel, and examine your communication through critical and constructive self-analysis.

    Who is it for? Postgraduate level or professional singers of all voice types.

  • Life as a repetiteur

    Life as a repetiteur

    Mon 5–Thurs 8 Sept 2022

    Our repetiteur short course is designed for pianists interested in exploring the wonderful world of opera for the first time, or enriching their existing skills.

    Who is it for? Experienced pianists interested in exploring operatic repertoire. Prior experience of working in opera is not required.

  • Exploring Opera

    Exploring Opera

    Mon 29 August – Fri 2 September 2022

    Led by Opera North's Head of Music, David Cowan, Exploring Opera is an introductory course designed for singers who are keen to learn the key skills to perform opera.

    Who is it for? Singers about to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level OR those who sing to a reasonably high level and want to immerse themselves in an opera course.

  • Nicky Spence Masterclass

    Nicky Spence Masterclass

    April 2022

    Acclaimed Scottish operatic tenor, friend of the Studio and NOS alumnus Nicky Spence leads a masterclass with our Young Artists exploring Verdi, Stravinsky and Mozart.

    Watch on demand.

Most read

  • 2021/22 Young Artists

    Find out about our Young Artists, with individual biographies, and downloadable media.

  • Applying to audition as a singer

    Applying to audition as a singer

    Explore here for further information about application procedures, audition guidelines and frequently asked questions.

    Applications from singers for the 2022/23 Young Artist Programme have now closed.

  • About the programme

    About the programme

    Find out more about our intensive programme for singers and repetiteurs.

  • Current Vacancies

    Current Vacancies

    Join the National Opera Studio team, and play an integral role in securing the future of opera.

  • Announcing the 2018/19 National Opera Studio Young Artists

    Announcing the 2018/19 National Opera Studio Young Artists

    We are delighted to announce our 2018/19 Young Artists, who will join the National Opera Studio's intensive nine-month Training Programme from September.

  • 2022/23 Young Artist Programme - Apply now

    2022/23 Young Artist Programme - Apply now

    December 2021

    Applications for singers and repetiteurs to audition for our 2022/23 Young Artists' Programme are now open.

  • Diverse Voices

    Diverse Voices

    The National Opera Studio takes the lead, along with UK opera companies and training organisations, to create partnerships and initiatives that encourage more diversity on our opera stages.

  • Emily Gottlieb

    Chief Executive

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    The National Opera Studio exists to train talented young musicians to become the leading artists of their generation. We aim to make a significant contribution to the opera ecology and the wider creative and cultural life of the UK through the provision of top-quality professional training, and by our engagement and position in the sector.

  • Our history

    Our history

    Learn about the history of the National Opera Studio, its forebears, and timeline over the last 40 years.

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