Capsule - Opera

Capsule - Opera A contemporary opera premiering in April 2024. Composition David Bicarregui, direction Jay Broadhurst Composed by David Bicarregui. Directed by Jay Broadhurst.

A contemporary opera premiering in Manchester in April 2024. Libretto by Michael Bicarregui. Produced by Cameron Jackson and Kristen Gregory.

Next up on the 20th April, we have:Philosopher - Sophie ClarkeSophie Clarke is a Mezzo-Soprano, Actor and Recording Arti...
09/04/2024

Next up on the 20th April, we have:

Philosopher - Sophie Clarke

Sophie Clarke is a Mezzo-Soprano, Actor and Recording Artist from Liverpool, UK. Praised for her “beautiful story telling” and “touching performances”, Sophie has entered the classical music industry with thousands of loyal listeners and a line of successful performances. She has performed as a soloist in prestigious concert venues including the Royal Festival Hall, Wigmore Hall and Bridgewater Hall and she is currently charming audiences all over the UK and Ireland with London Concertante Orchestra on their West End Musicals Tour.
Sophie is in her final year studying for a Master of Music in Classical Singing and Opera at The Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Yvonne Howard. She is the first student at the RNCM to be sponsored by the international Gilbert and Sullivan Society and she is also kindly sponsored by Peter Snook, the Hargreaves and Ball Scholarship and Jean Hodge. Sophie is the RNCM Song Cycle Competition Winner 2023 and the Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition Winner 2022. Recent highlights include performing as a soloist for The Hallé 2024 Steve Reich Festival alongside Colin Currie, playing the role of the ‘Witch’ in Sondheim’s ‘Into The Woods’ for the RNCM 50 Year Anniversary and performing as the Mezzo-Soprano Soloist in Bernstein’s ‘Mass’ firstly at The Royal Festival Hall in London, conducted by Marin Alsop, and then at Bridgewater Hall for the Manchester Premiere, conducted by Clark Rundell.
Sophie is a proud Ambassador for Liverpool Heartbeat Charity and since the age of nine she has performed in various charity concerts and events every year, most prominently for The British Heart Foundation.

Also in our cast on the 20th April, it’s:5 - Siân DaviesSiân is a Welsh mezzo-soprano studying for her Master of Music a...
09/04/2024

Also in our cast on the 20th April, it’s:

5 - Siân Davies

Siân is a Welsh mezzo-soprano studying for her Master of Music at the Royal Northern College of Music. Her studies are supported by the Alice Orrell and A&N Kendall Award, The Annie Ridyard Scholarship and the Riga Heesom Award. Recent highlights include Mascagni’s Easter Hymn (soloist), performing with Edvard Grieg Vokalensemble at the BBC Proms, Fauré’s Requiem (soloist), a recital at the Bridgewater Hall, Bobylikha in Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Snow Maiden, Jo in Adamo’s Little Women, Carmen in Bizet’s Carmen and soprano and contralto soloist in two separate performances of Haydn’s Nelson Mass.

Her upcoming engagements include a performance with David Owen Norris, Sesto in Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito and performing at Buxton International Festival as a Young Artist. Siân also enjoys teaching singing, conducting the choir at Holy Innocents church and is a member of RNCM Songsters.

Siân has been offered a place with scholarship to study for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma at the RNCM next academic year.

Onto our cast for the 20th April! First up its:Miranda - Sarah ThomasSarah is a 21 year old soprano in her third year at...
09/04/2024

Onto our cast for the 20th April! First up its:

Miranda - Sarah Thomas

Sarah is a 21 year old soprano in her third year at the RNCM studying with Mary Plazas. Most recently she performed as the soprano soloist for the North Wales Opera Studio’s production of Handel’s Messiah in December 2023. She also performed the role of Kate Pinkerton in the studio’s production of Madama Butterfly in the Summer of 2022. Additional operatic credits include her performance of the principal role Frosch in the RNCM’s production of Die Fledermaus in December 2022. In addition, Sarah was the recipient of the Norma Procter Song Prize in the Junior Kathleen Ferrier Competition in November 2022, for her performance of Clara Schumann’s ‘Ich stand in dunklen Träumen’. She was praised highly for her “charming” and “communicative” style.

The last of our cast on the 19th April:Captain - Charlie BarkerCharlie is a 24-year old baritone from Wiltshire. In 2020...
09/04/2024

The last of our cast on the 19th April:

Captain - Charlie Barker

Charlie is a 24-year old baritone from Wiltshire. In 2020 he won the operatic prize in the Mid-Summerset Festival’s Under-21s as a solo singer. He performed in the chorus of the RNCM’s 2022 production of Die Fledermaus, and in the summer of 2023 he sang in the Dorset Opera Festival’s chorus for their productions of Le Nozze di Figaro and Le Roi de Lahore.
In the same year, he performed the titular role in Preston Opera’s production of Eugene Onegin.
He is currently in his final year of his undergraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he is taught by Michael Harper.

Also on the 19th April, it’s time for:Philosopher - Clementine ThompsonBorn in 2003 in South London, soprano Clementine ...
09/04/2024

Also on the 19th April, it’s time for:

Philosopher - Clementine Thompson

Born in 2003 in South London, soprano Clementine Thompson currently studies with Elizabeth Ritchie at the Royal Northern College of Music. She previously studied at the Junior department of the Royal College of Music under the tutelage of Jean-Claude Ohms where she played the role of ‘Belinda’ in their 2022 semi-staged production of Dido and Aeneas. Clementine was awarded the Pamela Hart Third Prize in the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary Competition last October and was the recipient of the 2023 RNCM Elsie Thurston Prize. She is an experienced recitalist, performing most recently in a mixed programme, devised in collaboration with Dame Emma Kirkby, with other young musicians at St James’ Piccadilly in November. In Manchester she is a member of the RNCMs Chamber Choir, travelling with an octet to Bergen last May to perform as part of the King’s Coronation celebrations alongside the Edvard Grieg Vokalensemble. Choral engagements have previously taken her to venues such as the Royal Albert Hall (as part of the BBC Proms), the Wigmore Hall, the Chapel Royal and the Bridgewater Hall. Recently, Clementine has been exploring folk music in a newly formed sextet, Ventis Vocal Ensemble, introducing world music to Manchester audiences. Additionally, she has enjoyed performing in musical theatre, most recently playing ‘Cinderella’ in the 50th Anniversary Production of Into the Woods at the RNCM.

Clementine is delighted to be joining the cast of Capsule for its premiere!

Continuing with our cast on the 19th April, it’s:5 - Mila JohannsenMila Johannsen is a British-German mezzo-soprano, who...
09/04/2024

Continuing with our cast on the 19th April, it’s:

5 - Mila Johannsen

Mila Johannsen is a British-German mezzo-soprano, who started her musical path in Hamburg before pursuing her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music. Her mother, a former opera singer, introduced her to the world of classical music at a young age, leading her to audition for the Children’s Opera Choir at the Hamburger Staatsoper. Mila has had the privilege of singing alongside esteemed professionals such as Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko and Angelina Gheorgiu. Under the baton of renowned conductors Kent Nagano and Simone Young, Mila performed in various operas over her time at the opera house, including her debut as the `Grasshopper` in Janacek’s “The Cunning Little Vixen” at only 12 years old. Not only does this young mezzo have experience on the opera stage but also in various Concert Halls in and around Hamburg and she was honoured to perform on the second opening day of the Elbphilharmonie. Her dedication and talent have been recognised, as she was awarded a scholarship by the Claussen-Simon-Stiftung in 2019 to further her musical education at the Staatliche Jugendmusikschule Hamburg. Since beginning her journey, Mila has expanded her repertoire beyond opera, winning competitions with her performances of Lieder and French song alike. She is excited to see where her musical career will take her in the future.

Introducing the rest of our red cast, performing on the 19th April!Miranda - Maeve Herd Hailing from Auckland, New Zeala...
09/04/2024

Introducing the rest of our red cast, performing on the 19th April!

Miranda - Maeve Herd

Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Maeve Herd is in demand as a soprano soloist, chorister, voice teacher and choir director. Holding a BMus in Classical Violin and Voice, and an MMus in Classical Voice with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland, Maeve studied as the 2021/2022 Marsden Grant Masters Scholar under Dr Morag Atchison, supervised by Dr Nancy November. She was the inaugural winner of the University of Auckland Aria in October 2022 and in February 2023, she placed runner-up at the inaugural Nicholas Tarling Aria.
Maeve has sung as a member of the New Zealand Opera Chorus since 2020 and has featured as a soloist with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, the St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra and the Manukau Symphony Orchestra. Maeve taught voice and directed treble voice choirs at Rangitoto and Baradene Colleges, and directed the choir at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph — New Zealand’s largest Catholic community. Maeve moved to the UK In September 2023 for studies towards an Advanced PGDip in Vocal Studies and Opera at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester under Yvonne Howard.
At the end of the spring term, she completed RNCM’s Opera North Chorus Mentor Scheme 2023/2024 and performed the role of “Giulia” in RNCM’s Spring Term opera: Rossini’s “La scala di seta”. Maeve’s tuition at the RNCM is generously supported by the Jacob Marsland Award and the NW Award.

MEET THE CAST/CREATIVE TEAMAs rehearsals begin, let’s meet our Assistant Director, Emily Stewart!Emily Stewart is a 21-y...
09/04/2024

MEET THE CAST/CREATIVE TEAM

As rehearsals begin, let’s meet our Assistant Director, Emily Stewart!

Emily Stewart is a 21-year-old soprano from Altrincham, Manchester. Emily has been singing since a very early age but began classical training at the age of 13. In 2013, Emily joined the Hallé Youth Ensembles, where she remained a member until 2020, affording her many opportunities to sing with the Hallé Orchestra and Choir under the baton of prestigious conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, both in the UK and abroad. In 2016, Emily joined the Junior RNCM where she studied voice with Linda Richardson and was a member of the JRNCM vocal ensemble in which she performed as an ensemble member and soloist. In 2019 Emily won the Chester Young Musician Competition and has since performed recitals for Chester Music Society both virtually and in person. In September of 2020, Emily started her bachelor’s degree in music at the Royal Northern College of Music studying under the tutelage of Linda Richardson. Emily was awarded the Elsie Thurston Song Prize at the end of her first year, and recently was awarded the Alexander Young Prize for singing Handel, Mozart, and Schubert. She was also nominated to represent the RNCM in the Junior Kathleen Ferrier Competition. Emily has been involved in several opera choruses including RNCM’s Le Nozze di Figaro, and Dorset Opera Festival’s Manon Lescaut, The Magic Flute, and Le Roi De Lahore. She has also been a member of the RNCM Chamber Choir, and as of October 2022 is a member of the Hallé Choir. After her studies, Emily plans to pursue a career as an opera and recital singer.

MEET THE CAST/CREATIVE TEAMIt’s time for our Producer/Orchestral Leader, Cameron Jackson!Cameron is a dedicated 4th year...
09/04/2024

MEET THE CAST/CREATIVE TEAM

It’s time for our Producer/Orchestral Leader, Cameron Jackson!

Cameron is a dedicated 4th year violinist currently pursuing his craft under the tutelage of Benedict Holland at the Royal Northern College of Music, with whom he first began studying with at Chetham’s School of Music in 2018.

With a wealth of orchestral experience under his belt, he has flourished as members of the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra, National Children’s and Youth Chamber Orchestra, Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra, Symphonia Verbum Orchestra and the RNCM Symphony, Chamber and Opera Orchestras. During his time at the RNCM, he has also performed regularly as a soloist and chamber musician. In his first year, he received the Cowen Prize for Violin, and recently performed in a masterclass with Yuri Torchinsky, Leader of the BBC Philharmonic.

Looking ahead, Cameron eagerly anticipates continuing at the RNCM for two more years at Postgraduate level, and sharing his passion for Manchester United with Director Jay Broadhurst.
Having premiered 2 of Bicarregui’s works already, he looks forward to contributing to the production this thrilling opera.

Our two wonderful casts - red cast will perform the 19th April and white the 20th April!
01/04/2024

Our two wonderful casts - red cast will perform the 19th April and white the 20th April!

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