What is OperaWorks?
It all started on World Opera Day 2022.
In the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic, Opera Prelude realised the huge pressure on emerging artists as the classical music industry struggled to revive. We wanted to give not only our artists, but emerging professionals UK-wide access to some of the most influential industry professionals; and so we brought together casting directors, agents, company directors, award-winning artists and creatives to engage directly with young performers.
OperaWorks will be a biannual event next taking place October 2025
OperaWorks will be a biannual event next taking place October 2025
OperaWorks 2023
Hosted by soprano, librettist and producer April Koyejo-Audiger, OperaWorks 2023 comprised of a morning seminar series tackling everything from finance and audition success to mental health. In the afternoons, young artists were able to benefit from panel discussions featuring voices from every area of the industry, including: Elaine Kidd, Thando Mjandana, Camilla Kerslake, Héloïse Werner, Bill Bankes-Jones, Guy Withers, Isabella Pitman, Lottie Gulliver, Emily Gottlieb, Jorge Balça, Anna Patalong, James Clutton, Nina Brazier, Matthew Hargreaves, Michael Harper, Isabella Lockett, Melanie Lodge, Renato Balsadonna, Joshua Elmore, and Caroline Dowdle. It was hosted by The Chelsea Theatre.
Opera Works 2022
Our inaugural OperaWorks in 2022 featured interactive sessions with: Sarah Playfair (casting director Glyndebourne, ENO), Melanie Lodge (founder Audition Oracle/ By Voice Alone), Guy Withers (Artistic Director, Waterperry Opera), Lottie Gulliver (Casting & Harewood Manager at English National Opera), and Isabella Pitman (Associate Artist Manager, Askonas Holt), among others. Since its success we have built on the format, attracting a plethora of opera professionals, willing to share their time and expertise with young opera artists.