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Outreach Opera is born
July 2016
This year Helen collaborated with Soprano's Georgina Rosanna Murray and Helen Latham to create a new opera company, Dedicated to bringing opera to a wider community audience here in the North West of England (and hopefully beyond). Their first production took place this month and was a great success. Hansel & Gretel was chosen because we had the wonderful opportunity to perform in the outdoor walled garden area of Hoghton Tower and we had the chance to work with two young peoples choirs from two local schools. This is the start of a wonderful venture that we hope will grow in the coming years. You can find out more on our website at http://outreachopera.weebly.com/
Outreach Opera in the News...
Bolton Evening News
Outreach Opera in the News...
Bolton Evening News
Il Trovatore - Opera Seria - November 2015
Photographs by Robert Watson
The Best Italian Operas on in the UK
The Telegraph newspaper ran a feature on the best Italian Operas on in the UK this Autumn, including our production of Il Trovatore.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/culture/italian-living/11909484/Discover-the-best-Italian-operas-in-the-UK.html
The Golden Legend - Arthur Sullivan
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This rarely performed piece will be conducted by James Hendry. Soloists include National G&S Opera Company star Bruce Graham, Helen Anne Gregory and Lauren Lea Fielder, supported by the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and members of local choral societies, accompanied by the Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra.
The Golden Legend is a cantata by Arthur Sullivan with libretto by Joseph Bennett, based on the 1851 poem of the same name by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and premiered at the triennial Leeds Music Festival in 1886. Scenes following the premiere transcended any known before, with the audience on its feet waving programmes and hats, climbing on chairs and hurling flowers. During Sullivan’s lifetime it was widely considered his greatest and most successful work of serious music. Indeed, outside of the comic operas with W S Gilbert, this cantata was widely regarded as Sullivan’s most successful large-scale composition. This will be an outstanding evening in an exceptional venue. View the full Sullivan Spectaular programme HERE About Ripon Cathedral Ripon Cathedral is a beautiful, ancient church with a history reaching back to the 7th Century. It is a mother church for the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales and home for the cathedra (throne) of the Bishop of Leeds. Ripon Cathedral was founded by St Wilfrid (c.634-709), who brought craftsmen from Europe to build a new stone church on this site. It was dedicated to St Peter in 672. Of this original building, only the Saxon crypt survives. The present church contains several architectural styles. The transepts (the ‘arms’ of a cross-shaped church) date from the late 1100s, and show a mixture of rounded Norman arches and later pointed Gothic arches. The west front (1220s) is a splendid example of the Early English Gothic style. You can find out more about the history of this beautiful building here: http://riponcathedral.info/history/ |
Cunning Little Vixen voted What's On Stage's Best New Production 2014
Daniel Slater's production of Cunning Little Vixen for Garsington Opera, in which Helen played Pi Pasek, has been voted Best New Opera Production 2014!
http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/whatsonstage-opera-poll-and-the-winners-are_37103.html?cid=rssfeed-tag-whatsonstage-awards
Singing for the Bulls
Helen will be performing before the Super League fixture Bradford Bulls vs Castleford at Odsal Stadium this Sunday at 2:30pm. As a Bradford girl, Helen is a lifelong Bradford Bulls fun so she loves to perform at Odsal Stadium.
Minerva Adventures with Swan Hellenic
Helen has just returned from working on the cruise ship Minerva for Swan Hellenic where she was singing as part of a quartet on behalf of Opera Barcarola. Her colleagues were Soprano Rannveig Káradóttir, Tenor Elgan Llyr Thomas and Pianist David Malusa. The group performed 4 concerts on the ships cruise of Turkey and Greece and they received wonderful feedback from all on board.
Hansel & Gretel go to West Green Opera Festival 2014
After the success of last years production of Hansel & Gretel, Garsington Opera's Emerging Artists will be taking Olivia Fuch's wonderful production to the West Green Opera Festival in July 2014. Helen will be playing the role of the Witch. Please see the link above for ticket information.
Professional Debut for Garsington Opera 2014
Helen will be returning to Garsington Opera next Summer to make her Role Debut for the Company as The Innkeepers Wife (Pi Pasek) in Janacek's Cunning Little Vixen which will be performed in Czech with Conductor Garry Walker, Director Daniel Slater Designer Robert Innes Hopkins. She will also be joining the Chorus in the revival of their production of Beethoven's Fidelio.
Garsington Opera gives UK premier of Rossini's Il Maometto Secondo to critical acclaim
Helen is currently singing with the chorus at Garsington Opera in their production of Rossini's Il Maometto Secondo (the UK premier) and so far the show has received some fantastic reviews from the critics. Here are several links to what people have said so far: The Guardian, BachTrack, The Financial Times, ClassicalSource,
"A chorus of young, vigorous and well-trained voices sets the seal on an all-round triumph"... FT.com
"A chorus of young, vigorous and well-trained voices sets the seal on an all-round triumph"... FT.com
Masterclass with Ann Murray DBE
Helen is delighted to have been selected to take part in a Masterclass with mezzo soprano Ann Murray at Wormsley Estate on Tuesday 2nd of July. She will be performing Sein Wir Wieder Gut from Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos and will be joined by 5 other members of this years Garsington Opera Young Artists.
Manchester Theatre Awards Nominations
The RNCM Production of Xerxes and Clonter Opera's Hansel & Gretel have been nominated in the Best Opera category of the
Manchester Theatre Awards. These are two productions that Helen was very proud to have been part of.
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Manchester Theatre Awards. These are two productions that Helen was very proud to have been part of.
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A Christmas Gathering - Dublin - 2012
This last weekend saw the first Christmas Gathering concert over in Dublin. The concept was the idea of Conleth Stanley. The choir consisted of !0 up and coming young singers from Ireland and UK, all soloists in their own right but also singing together. The programme consisted of Christmas Carols and excerpts from the Messiah. It is hoped that this will be the first of many such annual concerts in the city.
Photo. Back row: Bryan Hoey (compere) Mark Duff (Tenor), Ben Sweeney (Tenor) , Conleth Stanley (Baritone), David Howes (Baritone), John Dempsey (Baritone)
Front Row: Holly Rayne Bennett (Violin), Aoife O'Sullivan (Soprano), Anna-Louise Costello (Soprano), Ruth Kelly (Soprano), Helen Anne Gregory (Mezzo) Ailbhe Howard (Mezzo), Jimmy Reynolds (MD)
Photo. Back row: Bryan Hoey (compere) Mark Duff (Tenor), Ben Sweeney (Tenor) , Conleth Stanley (Baritone), David Howes (Baritone), John Dempsey (Baritone)
Front Row: Holly Rayne Bennett (Violin), Aoife O'Sullivan (Soprano), Anna-Louise Costello (Soprano), Ruth Kelly (Soprano), Helen Anne Gregory (Mezzo) Ailbhe Howard (Mezzo), Jimmy Reynolds (MD)
Royal Northern College of Music - Graduation - December 2012
Helen and her year group graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music on 4th December 2012. It was a great day with some inspiring words from the RNCM president Sir Willard White.
Messiah - Preston Minster 2012
Here is a picture from the Performance of Handel's Messiah which took place last saturday 1st December at Preston Minster. This was a wonderful performance by Preston Cecelian Choir and Lancashire Symphonietta under the baton of Marco Fanti. The other soloists were (Sop) Sarah Parkin, (Ten) Bo Wang and (Bar) Thomas Eaglen.
Garsington Opera 2013
Helen will be singing at Garsington Opera in 2013. She will be part of the chorus for their production of Rossini's Il Maometto and she will be covering the role of The Witch in Hansel & Gretel which will be being played by Susan Bickley. This is a wonderful opportunity. For more opportunity see www.garsingtonopera.org
Wesendonck Lieder at Bridgewater Hall
Helen will be singing the Wesendonck Lieder at the Bridgewater Hall on October 18th 2012. This will be her debut concert at this venue. She will be accompanied by Jonathan Fisher.
Final Recital
On Tuesday 4th Sept, Helen will be performing her final assessed recital at the RNCM, accompanied by Jonathan Fisher. The programme will consist of Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder and Elgar's Sea Pictures. This is open to the public.
Helen sings for Yorkshire Day Celebrations at Tykes Dinner
“I have built up a following among rugby league clubs and their fans which is great because performing for 17,000 prepares you for just about anything,” said Miss Gregory, who will be singing a
mix of arias from Carmen and songs from musicals at the Yorkshire Day dinner at the Leeds Club."
- Telegraph & Argus
Mahler's Lieder eines Fahrendes Gesellen -
RNCM Conductors Weekend 2012
This weekend Helen had the opportunity to perform Mahler's Lieder eines fahrendes Gesellen with orchestra as part of the RNCM Conductors weekend course. It was a fabulous opportunity to experience performing this wonderful work with full orchestra.
Behind the Scenes of Xerxes
Helen and fellow cast member Heather Ireson were interviewed on their roles in the RNCM production of Xerxes for the RNCM Blog.
Click here for the full interview
Click here for the full interview
The Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education Bursary Award
Helen would like to thank The Yorkshire Ladies' Council of Education for their award of a Bursary towards her college fees.
The Kathleen Trust
Helen is very grateful for the financial support of The Kathleen Trust who have awarded her a grant of £3,000 towards her final years fees at the RNCM.
The Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Award for Singers
Helen is pleased to announce that she has been chosen as a finalist for the Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Award which will take place on Thursday 15th March in the RNCM Concert Hall, starting at 7:30pm. The Elizabeth Harwood Award was founded in memory of the much-loved Yorkshire soprano and provides support for an outstanding final year singer. The adjudicating panel will include the celebrated singer Donald Maxwell.
For more information / Tickets click here.
For more information / Tickets click here.
RNCM Day of Shakespearian Song 2012
Helen will be performing Joseph Horowitz's piece - Lady Macbeth a Scena at the RNCM's Shakespeare themed Day of Song on Sunday 29th April 2012, 7:30pm in the RNCM Concert Hall.
A wide-ranging concert beginning with the RNCM Chamber Choir and Vaughan Williams’ Three Shakespeare Songs, and also featuring that composer's Serenade to Music, based on the The Merchant of Venice, and performed tonight in the arrangement for four soloists, piano and violin. This varied programme will also feature Stravinsky’s Three Shakespeare Songs, a Finzi song cycle, the Lady Macbeth Scena for mezzo-soprano and piano by Joseph Horovitz, and even a touch of Johnny Dankworth. In an evening not to be missed, Shakespeare’s Puck will have the final say.
For more information/tickets click here.
A wide-ranging concert beginning with the RNCM Chamber Choir and Vaughan Williams’ Three Shakespeare Songs, and also featuring that composer's Serenade to Music, based on the The Merchant of Venice, and performed tonight in the arrangement for four soloists, piano and violin. This varied programme will also feature Stravinsky’s Three Shakespeare Songs, a Finzi song cycle, the Lady Macbeth Scena for mezzo-soprano and piano by Joseph Horovitz, and even a touch of Johnny Dankworth. In an evening not to be missed, Shakespeare’s Puck will have the final say.
For more information/tickets click here.
Xerxes - RNCM
Helen is very excited to announce that she will be playing the role of Arsamenes in the RNCM production of Handel's Serse in March 2012. There are 2 casts and Helen will be performing on Thu 22nd, Tues 27th and Sat 31st March.
Hansel and Gretel - Clonter Opera
Helen is delighted to have been offered the role of the Witch in Clonter Opera's July 2012 production of Hansel and Gretel.
Musical Director/Conductor - Clive Timms
Director - Martin Lloyd-Evans
Designer - Eleanor Wdowski
Sung in English with Orchestra.
Musical Director/Conductor - Clive Timms
Director - Martin Lloyd-Evans
Designer - Eleanor Wdowski
Sung in English with Orchestra.
Eunice Pettigrew Prize 2010-2011
Helen has been awarded the Eunice Pettigrew Prize from the RNCM for 2010-2011.
Albert Herring - RNCM
Helen is pleased to announce that she will be playing the role of Florence Pike in the RNCM's production of Britten's Albert Herring on 13th & 17th December 2011.
Raymond Leppard Master Class
On Wednesday 18th May
RNCM, Carole Nash Recital Room, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
The eminent English conductor, Raymond Leppard, is giving a masterclass for vocal students based on his insight and expertise in the world of Early Music repertoire: Monteverdi and Cavalli. Raymond will listen to and offer guidance to six RNCM singers and there are expected to be up to 50 vocal students in the audience. Helen will be performing in excerpts of Cavalli's "La Calisto" and Handel's "Alcina".
RNCM, Carole Nash Recital Room, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
The eminent English conductor, Raymond Leppard, is giving a masterclass for vocal students based on his insight and expertise in the world of Early Music repertoire: Monteverdi and Cavalli. Raymond will listen to and offer guidance to six RNCM singers and there are expected to be up to 50 vocal students in the audience. Helen will be performing in excerpts of Cavalli's "La Calisto" and Handel's "Alcina".
Annie Ridyard Scholarship Finalist 2011
On the 9th of May Helen will be a finalist for the prestigious Annie Ridyard Scholarship competition at the RNCM.
RNCM Opera Scenes - June 2011
In June Helen will be performing in the following opera scenes at the RNCM.
Tues 14th June - Cavalli - La Calisto (La Natura)
Thurs 16th June - Handel - Alcina (Bradamante)
Tues 14th June - Cavalli - La Calisto (La Natura)
Thurs 16th June - Handel - Alcina (Bradamante)
Joyce and Michael Kennedy Strauss
prize Finalist
Helen will be a finalist in the RNCM's prestigious Strauss Prize.
Senior students from the RNCM School of Vocal Studies compete in the finals of The Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the Singing of Strauss, singing Lieder or arias by the composer. This year’s adjudicating panel is chaired by Roger Vignoles.
Date & Time - Wed 9 Mar 2011, 7:30PM
Venue - RNCM Concert Hall
Ticket Price - £10
Concessions - Concessions available
Book Online Here
Senior students from the RNCM School of Vocal Studies compete in the finals of The Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the Singing of Strauss, singing Lieder or arias by the composer. This year’s adjudicating panel is chaired by Roger Vignoles.
Date & Time - Wed 9 Mar 2011, 7:30PM
Venue - RNCM Concert Hall
Ticket Price - £10
Concessions - Concessions available
Book Online Here
Jenufa - Huddersfield Youth Opera 2011
This September, Helen will be playing the role of Grandmother Buryja in Janáček's
Jenufa. This will be Huddersfield Youth Opera's first full opera and is a very exciting project.
Jenůfa will be performed in English on 15th and 16th September 2011 with a new translation by Jonathan Clift and under the musical direction of Fraser Goulding.
For more information as it becomes available see Huddersfield Youth Opera's website.
Jenufa. This will be Huddersfield Youth Opera's first full opera and is a very exciting project.
Jenůfa will be performed in English on 15th and 16th September 2011 with a new translation by Jonathan Clift and under the musical direction of Fraser Goulding.
For more information as it becomes available see Huddersfield Youth Opera's website.
In to the Woods
Wed 16th - Sat 19th Feb 2011
Location: RNCM Studio Theatre
Book tickets on-line here
Stephen Sondheim Music and lyrics
James Lapine Book
Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical casts a new light on stories that, at first, appear familiar: a servant girl dreams of attending a ball; a boy exchanges his cow for five magic beans; a little girl in a red cape falls prey to a fiendish wolf; a childless baker and his wife suffer under a witch’s curse.
As their stories intertwine, the question is asked: can anyone be sure that what they wish, is what they want? And is it really possible to live ‘happily ever after’?
This student-helmed production, the first of its kind at the RNCM, presents the show in an inventive and inspiring way: a versatile actormusician ensemble, drawn from students across the College, not only creates the characters and story but also provides their own musical accompaniment.
A student performance by permission of Josef Weinberger Ltd.
Emma Häll Cinderella
Thomas Asher The Baker
Rebecca Lea The Baker’s Wife
Lorna James The Witch
Joey Dexter Jack
Rebecca Anderson Jack’s Mother
Nicola Stone Little Red Riding Hood
Catriona Hewitson Rapunzel
Helen Gregory Cinderella’s Stepmother
Kirstin Graham Florinda
Eleanor Gregory Lucinda
Harry Meredith Cinderella’s Prince
Sam Lea Rapunzel’s Prince
Christopher Jones The Wolf
Jonathan Ainscough The Narrator
RNCM Spring Opera Excerpts
On January 19th & 26th 2011 Helen will be performing the role of Mrs Grose from Britten's Opera
"Turn of the Screw" in the RNCM's Spring Opera Excerpts concerts.
"Turn of the Screw" in the RNCM's Spring Opera Excerpts concerts.
Barber's Vanessa - RNCM Spring Opera 2011
Helen will be covering the role of the Baroness in Barber's Vanessa which will be staged next March at the RNCM. The Covers performance will be on March 29th.
Bessie Cronshaw/Frost Brownson Song Cycle Prize @ RNCM
On Monday 15th November, Helen will be competing in the Bessie Cronshaw/Frost Brownson Song Cycle prize at the RNCM. Helen will be singing Schumann's wonderful song cycle "Frauenlieben und Leben" and she will be accompanied by Sophie Lythgoe.
Charity Recital for Gambian Schools Trust
Helen will be doing a recital with all procedes going to the Gambian Schools Trust.
Date: Saturday 30th October
Location: Thackley Methodist Church, Bradford
Time: 2.30pm
Accompanied by Jonathan Ellis
Tickets will be £5 (booking details to follow)
For more information on the Gambian Schools Trust and the fantastic work they do you can visit their website http://www.gambianschools.org/
Date: Saturday 30th October
Location: Thackley Methodist Church, Bradford
Time: 2.30pm
Accompanied by Jonathan Ellis
Tickets will be £5 (booking details to follow)
For more information on the Gambian Schools Trust and the fantastic work they do you can visit their website http://www.gambianschools.org/
North Star Opera Announce their Summer 2011 Programme
North Star Opera have announced officially their Summer Tour 2011. As previously reported on here Helen will be singing the Role of Maddalena in Rigoletto. The show will consist of Rigoletto Act 3 and Trovatore Act 4.
See www.northstaropera.com for more details.
See www.northstaropera.com for more details.
Huddersfield Youth Opera
Helen will be singing in a concert of operatic exerpts for Huddersfield Youth Opera in September this year. This is the first outing of this new company who hope to do a full scale opera production next autumn. Helen has been asked to sing the roles of Carmen (Carmen) and Leonora (Fidelio).
HYO is the brainchild of baritone David Heathcote who was artistic and managing director of Huddersfield-based company Opus 1 Opera. They are joined by artistic director Jonathan Clift, a founding member of Opera North and conductor Fraser Goulding, former professor of opera at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.David, the group’s general director, said: “This is an important project that will provide an essential platform for emerging young opera singers in the north while promoting Huddersfield as an important centre of music.’’
HYO is the brainchild of baritone David Heathcote who was artistic and managing director of Huddersfield-based company Opus 1 Opera. They are joined by artistic director Jonathan Clift, a founding member of Opera North and conductor Fraser Goulding, former professor of opera at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.David, the group’s general director, said: “This is an important project that will provide an essential platform for emerging young opera singers in the north while promoting Huddersfield as an important centre of music.’’
Messiah in Macclesfield
Helen is delighted to have been asked back to sing with Macclesfield Oriana Choir as Alto soloist in a performance of Handels Messiah and other christmas works on 4th December 2010.
Lunchtime Recital at Bolton Parish Church
Recital Programme
Tuesday May 25th @ Bolton Parish Church - 1.15pm
Accompanist - Jonathan Ellis
Se Bramate (Serses) G.F Handel - (1685-1759)
Hansel und Grete Mahler (1860-1911)
Zigeunerlieder (op.103) J. Brahms - (1833-1897)
1. He, Zigeuner
2. Hochgetuermte Rimaflut
3. Wisst ihr, wenn mein Kindchen
4. Lieber Gott, du weisst
5. Brauner Bursche fuehrt zum Tanze
6. Roeslein dreie in der Reihe
7. Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn
8. Rote Abendwolken ziehn am Firmament
Piano Solo - Jonathan Ellis Fantasy in F Minor (op.49) Chopin - (1810-1849)
La Regata Veneziana Rossini - (1792-1868)
1. Anzoleta Avanti la regata
2. Anzoleta co passa la regata
3. Anzoleta dopo la regata
Seguidilla (Carmen) G. Bizet (1838– 1875)
Tell me the Truth About Love (Cabaret Songs) Britten - (1913– 1936)
Tuesday May 25th @ Bolton Parish Church - 1.15pm
Accompanist - Jonathan Ellis
Se Bramate (Serses) G.F Handel - (1685-1759)
Hansel und Grete Mahler (1860-1911)
Zigeunerlieder (op.103) J. Brahms - (1833-1897)
1. He, Zigeuner
2. Hochgetuermte Rimaflut
3. Wisst ihr, wenn mein Kindchen
4. Lieber Gott, du weisst
5. Brauner Bursche fuehrt zum Tanze
6. Roeslein dreie in der Reihe
7. Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn
8. Rote Abendwolken ziehn am Firmament
Piano Solo - Jonathan Ellis Fantasy in F Minor (op.49) Chopin - (1810-1849)
La Regata Veneziana Rossini - (1792-1868)
1. Anzoleta Avanti la regata
2. Anzoleta co passa la regata
3. Anzoleta dopo la regata
Seguidilla (Carmen) G. Bizet (1838– 1875)
Tell me the Truth About Love (Cabaret Songs) Britten - (1913– 1936)
Elixir of Love
This week at Preston's Charter Theatre, Helen appeared in Preston Opera's production of Donizetti's Elixir of Love. The show was a great success.
Click on the links below to see some more photos from the show
http://www.prestonopera.org.uk
Click on the links below to see some more photos from the show
http://www.prestonopera.org.uk
Carmen at Buxton Festival
Helen will be playing Carmen at Buxton Fringe Festival this year in City of Manchester Opera's concert performance at Buxton Methodist Church on 10th July.
Tickets are now available at www.como.me.uk or on 0777 266 6278
Tickets are now available at www.como.me.uk or on 0777 266 6278
Finalist for Annie Ridyard Scholarship 2010
Helen has made it through as a finalist for the RNCM's Annie Ridyard Scholarship for Mezzo Sopranos. The final will take place in the Opera Theatre at the RNCM on Monday 3rd May.
North Star Opera Summer Tour 2010 - Carmen / Les Miserable
Tickets are on sale for North Star Opera's summer tour of Carmen / Les Miserable and can be purchased now online. Helen will be singing the role of Carmen.
May 8th - The White Church, Lytham
June 2nd - St Mary’s Brownedge Rd,
Bamber Bridge
June 13th - Toll Gavel Methodist Church,
Beverley
June 20th - Avenham Pavillion, Preston
June 27th - Whalley Abbey
May 8th - The White Church, Lytham
June 2nd - St Mary’s Brownedge Rd,
Bamber Bridge
June 13th - Toll Gavel Methodist Church,
Beverley
June 20th - Avenham Pavillion, Preston
June 27th - Whalley Abbey