Taking the Project forward

Where to start? The first step was to agree the vision. The attraction of opera is that it is a complete theatrical art form. One definition calls opera “ a drama to be sung with instrumental accompaniment by one or more singers in costume” . By putting the word “drama” first, this highlights the central fact that opera singers have to be actors, combining the highest standards of acting and talent with those of singing technique and musicianship. NDO therefore wanted to include in the Project an element not only for opera singers, but – over time - for other artists and professionals involved in opera, such as musicians ( singe rs, instrumentalists, repetiteurs, conductors) directors and designers (l ighting, stage sets and costumes ).

And so for this first event, there is also Seminar for repetiteurs, run by Anthony Legge (Director of Opera at the Royal Academy of Music) and Alex Ingram, conductor and music coach. Susanna Stranders , herself a repetiteur at the Royal Opera House, has been a wonderful accompanist throughout the Project.   As a first step, Maestro Cura agreed that the Project would take place in the spring of 2007 in Devon. The aims were that the Project should add value to the professional reputations of all participants - as well as offering in-depth tuition and coaching for the participants.

A further key aim of the competition is that it should foster a greater understanding and appreciation of all those elements of opera which encompass a such a broad range of creative skills. Lastly - the Project should help to grow NDO's reputation and artistic standing, building towards NDO's goal of becoming the South West region's premier resident professional opera company.