From the Producer's Office

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 contempo...

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 ch...

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 watc...

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. From the Producer's Office is a ser...

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. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts wi...

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 a...

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 v...

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. Tickets for The Cunning Little Vixen are on sale now. Find out more about the production and book...

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. Tickets for The Cunning Little Vixen are on sale now. Find out more about the pr...

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 expl...

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. From the Producer's Off...

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...

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. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts with Opera Holland Park’s Director of Opera, James Clutton....

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. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts with Opera Holland Park...

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. Fro...

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. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts with Opera...

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. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts with Opera Hol...

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. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts with Opera Holland Park’s Director of Opera, James Clutton. In conversation with creatives a...

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. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts with Opera Holland Park’s Director of Opera, James Clutt...

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 Holla...

In this episode, James is joined by conductor and Music Director of Scottish Opera, Stuart Stratford. Together they reminisce about the many productions they've worked on at Opera Holland Park over the years, and share their experiences of getting performances on during the pandemic. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts with Opera Holland Park’s Director of Opera, James Clut...

Writer Rupert Christiansen joins the podcast this week for a candid and far-ranging conversation with OHP's CEO and Director of Opera James Clutton. Rupert explains his decision to retire from The Telegraph, his approach to opera criticism over the years, and what's next. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts with Opera Holland Park’s Director of Opera, James Clutton. In conv...

Today we're joined by Ali Kingsley from Refettorio Felix homeless centre, to talk about our annual collection. Ali tells us about the work of the Refettorio, the impact it has on the community, and the items they're most in need of that people might not think to donate. More information about how to donate urgently needed items to the Opera Holland Park collection can be found here: https://operah...

Singer Janie Dee and music director Alex Parker from Quick Fantastic join the podcast to reminisce about their performance of A Little Night Music at OHP in the summer. Janie shares acting tips from Sondheim, Alex discusses the secret of orchestrating for a small band, and they both talk about the crossover between Sondheim and opera. From the Producer's Office is a series of informal podcasts wit...

Sir Mark Elder joins the podcast for a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from the beginnings of his career organising concerts for undergraduate musicians, through to his time at ENO and Hallé Orchestra. He offers insights into the relationship between conductor and orchestra, shares his philosophy about how orchestras and theatres should relate to their community, and talks about the ch...