In this candid exploration of the working of an opera company, the series tracks our CEO and Director of Opera, James Clutton in conversation with creatives and collaborators across the industry, exploring the process of putting opera on stage, and how the artists involved approach their craft.
Listen and subscribe to all episodes, including those with Natalya Romaniw and David Butt Philip, Barrie Kosky, Petroc Trelawny, John Crace, Paule Constable, Sir Thomas Allen, Donald Macleod, on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts (just search ‘From the Producer’s Office’), or click the links below.
80. In conversation with the March sisters from our upcoming production of Little Women
In this episode of From the Producer’s Office, we’re joined by the March sisters from our upcoming production of Little Women – Charlotte Badham (Jo), Kitty Whately (Meg), Harriet Eyley (Beth) and Elizabeth Karani (Amy). They talk about their relationships with Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, discuss the many previous adaptations of the book, and talk about introducing audiences to new contemporary repertoire they might not have heard before.
79. In conversation with director Martin Lloyd Evans
In this episode of From the Producer’s Office, our CEO and Director of Opera James Clutton is joined by long time friend of Opera Holland Park, director Martin Lloyd Evans. The two talk about Martin’s long relationship with the company, reminiscing about productions including La Wally and The Queen of Spades, and Martin discusses the relationship between a director and an audience, and how that changes when staging the sort of rare work he often directs at OHP.
78. In conversation with the cast and creative team of The Bear
With our digital screenings of William Walton’s The Bear now in full swing, OHP’s CEO and Director of Opera James Clutton caught up with cast and creative team members Clare Presland, John Andrews and John Wilkie to talk about the process of creating the film, the unique skill of performing for the screen rather than the stage, and why they wanted to use the film to recreate the experience of watching a live show.
77. In conversation with Little Women composer Mark Adamo
Mark Adamo’s opera Little Women will be making its UK premiere during the OHP 2022 Season. This week Mark joins the podcast to talk about how he became a composer and librettist, the process of adapting this beloved novel into opera form, Little Women’s original premiere starring a young Joyce DiDonato, and the early preparations for the UK premiere this summer.
76. In conversation with conductor George Jackson and actor Philip Jackson
This week, Opera Holland Park’s CEO and Director of Opera James Clutton is joined by George Jackson (conductor of this summer’s The Marriage of Figaro) and his father, actor Philip Jackson. They talk about rehearsing, the social nature of music making, the new OHP auditorium, and how they both ended up establishing careers in the arts.
75. The Pirates of Penzance Recap with Richard Burkhard, Daisy Brown and John Savournin
In this episode, James Clutton is joined by members of the cast of The Pirates of Penzance, our co-production with Charles Court Opera. Richard Burkhard (Major-General Stanley) talks about his acting background and how he combines acting with singing, Daisy Brown (Mabel) discusses how she takes care of her voice when she’s performing every day, and John Savournin (Pirate King and director) talks about the inspiration behind the production.
74. In conversation with the creatives behind the latest additions to the 2021 Season
In this episode, James is joined by several of the artists and creatives who are working on the latest editions to our 2021 Season. Anna Patalong and Sonia Ben Santamaria talk about Canteloube’s Chants d’Auvergne, and how OHP is a fitting venue for this song cycle themed around returning to nature. Charne Rochford discusses the birth of Fifth Door Ensemble as they prepare for an intimate chamber version of Gustav Mahler’s late masterpiece Das Lied von der Erde. Dominic Ellis-Peckham and Tara Mack look towards the London Oriana Choir taking the stage for an exciting evening featuring two world premières. The episode concludes with an appearance by our Count Almaviva in our latest production of The Marriage of Figaro, Julien Van Mellaerts, who has curated and is featured in our upcoming recital series, Opera in Song.
73. Julia Sporsén and Jennifer France discuss The Cunning Little Vixen
Jennifer France and Julia Sporsén (The Vixen and The Fox in our upcoming production of The Cunning Little Vixen) join the podcast to talk about their history with Janáček’s work, the excitement of performing in front of a live audience again, and the story of how this particular production came about.
72. In conversation with Stephen Barlow, director of The Cunning Little Vixen
This episode we’re joined by Stephen Barlow, who’ll be directing The Cunning Little Vixen during the OHP 2021 Season. He talks about the difference between Vixen and the other Janacek operas staged at OHP over the years, looks back on how he began his career in the arts, and reminisces about his long history with OHP.
71. 2021 Season preview
In this episode, James is joined by several of the artists and creatives who are working on our 2021 Season. Ross Ramgobin talks about the pressure of playing the title role in The Marriage of Figaro, Lauren Fagan shares her favourite scenes from La traviata, Jennifer France and Stephen Barlow discuss why OHP’s production of The Cunning Little Vixen will be performed in English, Julia Burbach explain why uplifting shows like L’amico Fritz are so important at the moment, and John Savournin discusses the enduring popularity of Gilbert and Sullivan shows like The Pirates of Penzance.
70. Tenor David Butt Philip and pianist James Baillieu discuss The House of Life
Leading British tenor David Butt Philip and acclaimed pianist James Baillieu join the podcast to discuss their recorded performance of The House of Life for OHP, which will be released to the public on demand on 13 April 2021. They talk about rehearsing during the pandemic, how much they’ve missed watching live performances, and what it’s like being filmed while performing.
69. In conversation with the Opera Holland Park Young Artists 2021
This episode we’re joined by four of this year’s Opera Holland Park Young Artists, who will be performing in their own production of The Marriage of Figaro this summer. Siân Dicker (Countess Almaviva), Charlotte Bowden (Susanna), Charlotte Badham (Cherubino) and Guy Withers (Basilio/Don Curzio) discuss their roles, the audition process, their training and their excitement for singing together this summer.
68. In conversation with mezzo-soprano Alice Coote OBE
In this episode, we’re joined by mezzo-soprano Alice Coote, who talks about breaking down the perceived barriers between classical music and other genres, the complexities of supporting singers to give their best every performance, her love of rehearsing, and the poetry of song.
67. In conversation with Lauren Fagan
This episode, we’re joined by soprano Lauren Fagan. She talks about taking the leap into opera at 24 and moving halfway across the world, her rapid learning curve first at Guildhall then through the Jette Parker scheme at the Royal Opera House, and her experiences singing the role of Violetta at Opera Holland Park.
66. In conversation with Professor Lynne Dawson and Charlotte Kennedy from RNCM
Professor Lynne Dawson, Head of Vocal Studies and Opera, and soprano and 4th year undergraduate Charlotte Kennedy join the podcast this week to talk about how they and their fellow teachers and students at Royal Northern College of Music have been coping during the pandemic. They discuss online learning and vocal coaching, the challenges of practicing at home, and the importance of resilience.
65. In conversation with Ian Rosenblatt
In this episode, James is joined by lawyer and classical music lover Ian Rosenblatt. They discuss Ian’s foundational memories of music, including his father listening to La traviata at 5am before work each day; his illustrious law career; and the series of classical music and opera recitals he curated – the Rosenblatt Recitals.
64. In conversation with Nadine Benjamin
This week’s guest is soprano Nadine Benjamin, who talks about her route from corporate finance into singing and the mentors who’ve guided her along the way. She also shares some coaching insights, and tells us about her many projects from Everybody Can Opera Company through to her daily series of interviews during lockdown.
63. In conversation with Stuart Skelton
Australian heldentenor Stuart Skelton joins the podcast to talk about his early introduction to opera, how he’s made important decisions within his career, and how he brings the audience with him through some of the most dramatic stories in opera.
62. In conversation with Tamara Rojo of English National Ballet
Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, joins the podcast to talk about her rocky early introduction to ballet, her love of ballet classes, the value of touring for young dancers, and the responsibility she feels to help the arts flourish again after the pandemic.
61. In conversation with Oliver Platt, Elizabeth Karani, George Jackson and Claire Lees
Four former Opera Holland Park Young Artists join the podcast to talk about their experiences with the programme, and to look forward to their roles in the OHP 2021 Season production of The Marriage of Figaro. This episode features Director Oliver Platt, Conductor George Jackson, and sopranos Elizabeth Karani and Claire Lees as they share insights into their early career appearances at Opera Holland Park and discuss musical life in lockdown.
Director Rachael Hewer and conductor Lee Reynolds of Vopera – the Virtual Opera Project – join the show to talk about their upcoming production of Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges. They discuss the challenging process of creating the production, from rehearsals to recording to post-production, which has all been done virtually.
