Opera Ensemble

Pippa Dames Longworth (Course director and Vocal Coach), Ian Rutherford (Opera director) and Stevie Higgins (Music director)

About the course

Explore the art of opera performance in this lively and supportive course, working towards a staged adaptation of Verdi’s Falstaff. Combining music, drama and movement, the course focuses on bringing opera to life as part of an ensemble of soloists. Under the guidance of Pippa Dames Longworth, Ian Rutherford and Stevie Higgins, participants will explore characterisation, stagecraft, musical expression and operatic singing. Roles will be allocated to suit the voices within the group. The week will culminate in an hour-long staged performance, accompanied by the Opera Ensemble Orchestra.

Who is it for?

This course is for solo singers who can confidently hold their own vocal line within an ensemble and are interested in developing their operatic performance skills. Previous stage experience is helpful but not essential. Participants must be willing to work collaboratively, explore character and movement, and arrive having learnt and memorised all their allocated music before arriving at the Summer School.

What to expect

The course runs across Sessions 2, 3 and 4, allowing time for musical rehearsals, staging and character development. Participants will develop operatic ensemble singing, vocal technique, musicianship, stagecraft and confidence as performers. Singers may attend other Summer School courses during sessions when they are not required for opera rehearsals, but the Opera Ensemble takes priority and they must be available whenever needed across all three sessions. The emphasis is on creating a cohesive ensemble production which will allow each singer to explore different characters and share roles as appropriate. Rehearsals will be enjoyable and supportive, building towards a staged performance with orchestra at the end of the week.

Practical information