OPERA EVENTS
“Divas & Scholars makes learning about this most complex of art forms a richly enjoyable pleasure.”Rupert Christiansen, Opera Critic, The Telegraph “Divas & Scholars is an excellent project! A nice opportunity to meet talented classically trained singers. ”Jason Orange, Take That “An entertaining and informative way to get inside the world of opera.”Danielle de Niese, Glyndebourne
Welcome to our opera network.
Divas & Scholars creates entertaining and informative opera events combining live performances and insights. We introduce you to celebrated opera insiders who share their experiences of this compelling and multi-layered art form. You’ll have the opportunity to meet opera stars in person and to talk to them over dinner.
Whether you are new to the art form or are already an aficionado you will hear beautiful music and learn something new from our experts. We have hosted speakers including the international diva and chatelaine of Glyndebourne Danielle de Niese, the former Principle Resident Director of the Royal Opera House John Copley CBE, the conductor and former Director of Music at the English National Opera, Edward Gardner OBE and conductor Sir Mark Elder. We have enjoyed fabulous performances from star tenors including Charles Castronovo, Jesus Leon and Michael Spyres, sopranos Claire Booth and Nelly Miricioiu and many other great singers.
We have been arranging seminars and performances, master-classes, opera parties and courses and more recently opera tours since 2011. Our first Opera Studies Series in association with the National Opera Studio began in 2015. The key events were ten evening seminars with performances given by the National Opera Studio Young Artists. We hosted The Grange Festival at the Club at The Ivy and previewed their 2017 season with talks and recitals over several evenings. Artistic Director Michael Chance CBE introduced the creative teams and cast of three productions.
We are proud to also present many young opera singers and rising stars of the future giving them new performance opportunities.
Director, Lucy Woodruff BA (Hons), MA
Events
Jesus Leon: Christmas Concert and Party. 17th December 2024
17th December. Concert and party with the renowned Mexican tenor Jesus Leon admired for his phenomenal top notes and leading roles on the international opera stage. Jesus will sing a beautiful programme of favourite opera arias and romantic Spanish and Neapolitan songs from his recent album Passione. Lucy Woodruff will talk to Jesus and the conductor Toby Purser about their recording with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and about their commitment to developing the next generation of opera singers. Pianist Jeremy Cooke accompanies. A party with the artists follows the concert with wine and canapes. This is an exclusive by invitation only event in the elegant private residence of Leslie McLeod-Miller in Westminster. Proceeds of a fundraising raffle will go towards scholarships for young opera singers who train at the Vienna Opera Academy next summer. 6.30pm arrival drink, 7pm concert, 8pm party.
Tickets limited.
The Baritone
INSIGHTS & HIGHLIGHTS 17th October 2024
An Insights and highlights evening with the baritone Grisha Martirosyan and conductor, accompanist Oliver Gooch.
A recital of baritone arias and discussion about this operatic vocal type. Dinner follows with our artists.
Venue: Soho House White City
Price: £145 including dinner.
Time: 6.30pm
INSIGHTS & HIGHLIGHTS 17th October 2024
An Insights and highlights evening with the baritone Grisha Martirosyan and conductor, accompanist Oliver Gooch.
A recital of baritone arias and discussion about this operatic vocal type. Dinner follows with our artists.
Venue: Soho House White City
Price: £145 including dinner.
Time: 6.30pm
Discover the Countertenor voice
10th October, at Tramp, Jermyn Street, London SW1.
Discover the countertenor voice, with British opera singer James Laing.
James Black his agent will join us for an interesting discussion on this relatively rare and beautiful vocal type. Pianist Claire Habbershaw will accompany.
Performance, conversation and dinner.
10th October at Tramp, Jermyn Street from 6.45pm
Champagne on arrival..
News
Temples of Opera – Documentary Trailer
Temples of Opera is documentary series on the world's opera houses. Created by Divas & Scholars Productions. Written and presented by Lucy Woodruff. So far there are two pilot episodes on the history, architecture and life of London's opera houses.
Vienna Opera Festival Tour
Standby for our Vienna Opera Festival Tour in Summer 2024. Save the Date: 24th July - 28th July.
Opera Travel with Divas & Scholars
Lucy will be leading fabulous adventures to exciting opera houses and international music festivals.
We are busy making plans for 2024. Stay tuned...
Mozart Circle Interviews Lucy about Mozart and Le Nozze di Figaro evening
Many thanks to the Mozart Circle for asking me to write an account of our evening on Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and for interviewing me about Divas & Scholars, my life in Vienna, my thoughts about books and films on Mozart and more. I hope you enjoy it! Divas & Scholars’ next Mozartian event will be on Don Giovanni on 3rd June 2019.
http://mozartcircle.porticodoro.com/mzc/interviews/?Id=January2019
