Can you tell us about your role as part of the Young Artists programme at Opera Holland Park?

I’m Associate Director on Così fan tutte, which means I’ll be directing the Young Artists’ show.

You’ll be working on Così fan tutte this summer – what are you most looking forward to about working on this piece?

It’s such a bonkers plot and it has great potential to be great fun, but, at the same time, it has truly heartfelt moments in it. It really does run the gamut.

You have previously worked with Opera Holland Park as part of the OHP Chorus – can you describe a moment from your time in the chorus that has really stayed with you?

When we revived La Traviata in 2021, one of the first shows to use the new post-COVID layout. We had a crazily short rehearsal period, and a really small chorus for such a grand piece, but we threw everything we had at it because, for a lot of us, it was the first time we’d done any stage work in over a year – in my case, over 18 months. I remember doing the dress rehearsal for a socially distanced audience, and taking my bow at the end and just crying. Standing in front of a crowd and being involved with a show was something I realised I had missed so very much.

Are there any operas you haven’t worked on yet that you’d particularly love to take on in the future?

There’s so much rep out there that I’d love to get involved with! Rimsky Korsakov wrote some amazing music for some very odd plots, most of which aren’t done very often so  I’d love a crack at one of those. I’ve never been involved with a Rusalka either, and it’s one of my favourites.

What is an opera myth or misconception that you’d like to see debunked?

That it’s only for “people who know about opera”. It isn’t, and most of it never was! Done right, opera is so incredibly moving – whether you’ve read a million books about it or just a synopsis in the programme. It’s stories about people falling in love, being wonderful to each other, being terrible to each other, making fun of one another, deceiving one another, rejoicing, grieving, plotting…everything you can imagine. It can be uplifting, hilarious, viewpoint-challenging, heartbreaking and so much more, and all set to the most glorious music.

What’s one piece of advice – musical or otherwise – that you always come back to?

I always remember a marvellous man, who is sadly no longer with us, telling us at the Royal Academy to always learn one thing from every show, no matter how big or small, bad or good, popular or obscure. Even if it’s just the name of a light or a dance move. Never stop learning – there’s always someone who knows more than you do!

 

Interview by Holly Bancroft

Benjamin is kindly sponsored by an anonymous donor