New Devon Opera supports young singers by providing them with opportunities to gain valuable stage experience – in full operatic roles (especially in the Romantic repertoire)-  staged, and sung with orchestra. 

NDO’s Patron, the world-famous tenor Chevalier JOSÉ CURA generously undertook two week-long masterclass projects in 2007 and 2008 – the José Cura Opera Projects (JCOP). Chosen from long lists of international applicants, 15 young singers were coached in performance techniques by an artist who is himself internationally renowned for his own superlatively artistic interpretations of roles.
 
Here are just some examples……

Ben Bevan (JCOP 2007):  has been working all over Europe. Ben was singing Marcello (La Bohème) for Scottish Opera this spring. He recently took the role of ‘Sprecher’ in Mozart’s ‘Die Zauberflöte’ at Garsington – summer 2011

Suzanne Manuell (JCOP 2007 and 2008 and Rosina in ‘The Magic Flute’): has been covering Lucrezia Borgia for English National Opera spring 2010 and crruently covering their Tosca (title role)

Anando Mukerjee (JCOP 2008 and Borsa in Rigoletto): covered The Duke for Scottish Opera’s ‘Rigoletto’

Ellie Dodd (Tosca 2008): has been  covering Amelia in Verdi’s ‘The Masked Ball’ for English National Opera

Belinda Evans (‘Musetta’ in 2009 ‘La Bohème’): returned in 2011 as ‘Frasquita’ in ‘Carmen’. Belinda has just been part of the much applauded Cock Tavern and Soho Theatre Opera Up Close ‘La Bohème’ (as Mimi) and Rosina (Barber of Seville), which won the Olivier Awards in 2011.

Christian Schleicher (JCOP 2007 & 2008 and Alfredo in Flash Opera Traviata: 2010) has been singing for Deutsche Oper unter den Linden Berlin (1st Priest ‘Die Zauberflöte’) this spring. He sang the leading tenor role of “Golo” in Robert Schumann’s opera “Genoveva” in January/February 2011 in TOKIO/Japan.  Currently he is singing Don José.

Carthaig Quill (JCOP 07) has been singing ‘Spoleta’ in Tosca for Welsh National Opera

Roderick Hunt (JCOP 2007, Baron in ‘La Traviata’, Monterone in ‘Rigoletto’& ‘Zuniga’ in Carmen. Rod won ‘best male voice’ at the Buxton International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival (for the 2nd year running) in 2010.

Alison Kettlewell (JCOP 08): has been singing Rosina for Garden Opera and Judith (cover) in Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle for ENO. Last summer she sang Fricka in Die Walkure at the Longborough Festival.  
Last year Alison covered Marguerite in Berlioz’s Damnation of Faust for ENO and sang Siegrune in Die Walküre with the Halle under Sir Mark Elder.

Paul Featherstone (JCOP 07) is singing Canio in “Pagliacci” for Opera Up Close. He has been singing Siegfried (and Loge & Mime) in English Pocket Opera’s “Wagner’s Ring in 90 minutes”. Paul also sung in “Street Scene” again at the Young Vic Sept/Oct 2011

Philip Voldman (Accompanist & Repetiteur for NDO) has just been appointed Repetiteur to the National Opera Studio

ALSO:  We are delighted for Debbie Scott (NDO Vice Chairman of Trustees) who was ennobled this spring as Baroness Stedman Scott.