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

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

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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.. 

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Charles Castronovo evening at Tramp, 22nd September

Divas & Scholars is thrilled to announce an evening with one of the opera world's most sought after tenors, Charles Castronovo.  Join us for this not to be missed event at London's most decadent nightclub Tramp, for a recital of some of the great tenor arias, an interview and dinner with this famous artist. 

Venue: Tramp, Jermyn Street, London SW1

Date: 22nd September 2022

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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