Kieran will make his role debut as Escamillo in Carmen, and play Billy Bones in a new opera Captain Blood’s Revenge, for the Norwich Into Opera Festival this summer. More details to follow.
Kieran will make his role debut as Escamillo in Carmen, and play Billy Bones in a new opera Captain Blood’s Revenge, for the Norwich Into Opera Festival this summer. More details to follow.
Kieran will make his role debut as Escamillo in Carmen, and play Billy Bones in a new opera Captain Blood’s Revenge, for the Norwich Into Opera Festival this summer. More details to follow.
Kieran will make his role debut as Escamillo in Carmen, and play Billy Bones in a new opera Captain Blood’s Revenge, for the Norwich Into Opera Festival this summer. More details to follow.
Kieran will make his role debut as Escamillo in Carmen, and play Billy Bones in a new opera Captain Blood’s Revenge, for the Norwich Into Opera Festival this summer. More details to follow.
Kieran will sing the villainous Sorcerer in Waterperry’s Double Bill of Dido & Aeneas and Acis & Galatea.
Acis and Galatea. The ethereal nymph, Galatea, is in love with a youthful shepherd, Acis. All seems serene, until their love is threatened by the jealousy of the monstrous Polyphemus. Directed by Rebecca Meltzer (Svadba, Hansel and Gretel, Ariel, Mansfield Park) this new production celebrates the beauty of Handel’s music coupled with Waterperry’s natural spaces.
Dido and Aeneas. Tribal Queen Dido struggles to keep power in her court as Prince Aeneas comes to ask for her hand in marriage and an alliance between factions. Treachery and sedition threaten to tear a nation and a marriage asunder. Directed by Guy Withers (Peter and the Wolf, The Diary of One Who Disappeared), this beloved English operatic gem takes a dark turn in a bold new production.
Kieran will sing the villainous Sorcerer in Waterperry’s Double Bill of Dido & Aeneas and Acis & Galatea.
Acis and Galatea. The ethereal nymph, Galatea, is in love with a youthful shepherd, Acis. All seems serene, until their love is threatened by the jealousy of the monstrous Polyphemus. Directed by Rebecca Meltzer (Svadba, Hansel and Gretel, Ariel, Mansfield Park) this new production celebrates the beauty of Handel’s music coupled with Waterperry’s natural spaces.
Dido and Aeneas. Tribal Queen Dido struggles to keep power in her court as Prince Aeneas comes to ask for her hand in marriage and an alliance between factions. Treachery and sedition threaten to tear a nation and a marriage asunder. Directed by Guy Withers (Peter and the Wolf, The Diary of One Who Disappeared), this beloved English operatic gem takes a dark turn in a bold new production.
Kieran will sing the villainous Sorcerer in Waterperry’s Double Bill of Dido & Aeneas and Acis & Galatea.
Acis and Galatea. The ethereal nymph, Galatea, is in love with a youthful shepherd, Acis. All seems serene, until their love is threatened by the jealousy of the monstrous Polyphemus. Directed by Rebecca Meltzer (Svadba, Hansel and Gretel, Ariel, Mansfield Park) this new production celebrates the beauty of Handel’s music coupled with Waterperry’s natural spaces.
Dido and Aeneas. Tribal Queen Dido struggles to keep power in her court as Prince Aeneas comes to ask for her hand in marriage and an alliance between factions. Treachery and sedition threaten to tear a nation and a marriage asunder. Directed by Guy Withers (Peter and the Wolf, The Diary of One Who Disappeared), this beloved English operatic gem takes a dark turn in a bold new production.
Ivor Novello (tenor): Alfred Mitchell
‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser (baritone): Kieran Rayner
Clara Novello Davies, Ivor’s mother (soprano): Olivia Bell
Prison Warder (bass-baritone): Anthony Lloyd
The idol and the thug: well-known Queer Ivor Novello was the most successful composer and matinee idol of the 30s and 40s. In 1944 he was banged up in Wormwood Scrubs for fiddling his petrol coupons. He shared a cell with a homophobe: 20-year-old ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser, the terror of South London gangland. What could possibly go wrong?
This almost-true story explores class war, electric shock treatment, the nature of masculinity – and how to rebuild a life you think is in ruins.
Music: Robert Ely
Words: Peter Scott-Presland
Director: Emily Beech
Music Director: Joe Tobin
Repetiteur: Jack Campbell
Lighting Design: John Brand
Ivor Novello (tenor): Alfred Mitchell
‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser (baritone): Kieran Rayner
Clara Novello Davies, Ivor’s mother (soprano): Olivia Bell
Prison Warder (bass-baritone): Anthony Lloyd
The idol and the thug: well-known Queer Ivor Novello was the most successful composer and matinee idol of the 30s and 40s. In 1944 he was banged up in Wormwood Scrubs for fiddling his petrol coupons. He shared a cell with a homophobe: 20-year-old ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser, the terror of South London gangland. What could possibly go wrong?
This almost-true story explores class war, electric shock treatment, the nature of masculinity – and how to rebuild a life you think is in ruins.
Music: Robert Ely
Words: Peter Scott-Presland
Director: Emily Beech
Music Director: Joe Tobin
Repetiteur: Jack Campbell
Lighting Design: John Brand
Music: Omar Shahryar
Words: Hannah Kumari
Created by PJ Harris and Hannah Kumari
A work-in-progress performance.
In the shadow of international unrest, the increasingly militant Suffragettes plan an attack which could change the history of Woolwich Arsenal FC forever.
Annie is a football fan, and a Suffragette. Francis is a munitions factory worker, and a father. William is a Scottish immigrant and a professional footballer. When ruthless businessman Henry Norris buys ailing Woolwich Arsenal FC and attempts to displace the club north of the river, the intertwined lives of these three Woolwich residents take a dramatic turn.
Age Rating: All ages, mostly adults.
Content Advisory: to see content advisories for Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival 2023 shows, click here.
Produced by PJ Harris & Hannah Kumari, in association with English National Opera
Kieran Rayner and Gamal Khamis are one of two duos to be successfully granted a Samling and Song Residency. During this intensive week, they will be developing and polishing their interactive play/recital, What If? – a World War 1 era love story with 8 possible endings, where the audience gets to choose what happens next. The story is illuminated by beautiful German and English art song throughout. Performance details to follow.
More Details about Samling and Song from samling.org.uk:
The response to the first round of applications for our new Samling and Song residencies for singer and pianist duos has been fantastic. We asked for proposals that present art-song in new ways, to new audiences across the UK and which explore repertoire by under-represented groups.
The first two duos chosen to benefit are mezzo-soprano Shakira Tsindos and pianist Lana Bode and baritone Kieran Rayner and pianist Gamal Khamis. Over the next few months they will work with their project mentors before spending a week at Marchmont to refine and rehearse their programmes. The variety and imagination of the applications we received made it clear that art-song has a lively future and we are looking forward to following the two selected projects through to fruition.
Saturday 2nd December 2023
4:30pm at United Reformed Church, Broxbourne
A programme telling the story of Ursula and Ralph’s relationship told through Ralph’s songs and settings of Ursula’s poetry along with Ursula and Ralph’s own words taken from his letters and her biography of him and other sources.
Join DEBUT, creators of Airbnb’s No.1 Music Experience, for their intimate and fun Secret Concert at Brunel Museum’s awe-inspiring Thames Tunnel Shaft with botanical cocktails by Midnight Apothecary.
One of London’s best kept secrets, DEBUT at Brunel Museum offers magnetic performances, time to chat to your favourite musicians and the chance to discover Brunel Museum’s historic Grade II* listed Thames Tunnel Shaft.
Launched in 2017, DEBUT have hosted over 100 sold out shows, showcasing 200+ top level musicians through our intimate and fun Secret Concerts.
Crowned as Airbnb’s No.1 Music Experience and with 400 ★★★★★ reviews, it’s an experience unlike any other.
Join DEBUT, creators of Airbnb’s No.1 Music Experience, for their intimate and fun Secret Concert at the magical Shoreditch Treehouse
One of London’s best kept secrets, DEBUT at Shoreditch Treehouse offers magnetic performances, time to chat to your favourite musicians and the chance to feel at home in the heart of London.
Launched in 2017, DEBUT have hosted over 80 sold out shows at Shoreditch Treehouse (a breathtakingly beautiful bohemian loft space), showcasing 200+ top level musicians through our intimate and fun Secret Concerts.
Crowned as Airbnb’s No.1 Music Experience and with 400 ★★★★★ reviews, it’s an experience unlike any other.
In cooperation with the Vienna-Tel Aviv Vocal Connection
Strauss‘s opera Die Fledermaus, with conductor David Aronson, Shahar Choir (Gila Brill, conductor) and soloists from Israel and abroad.
David Aronson, conductor
Rosemarie Danziger, stage director
Rosalinde: Efrat Ashkenazi (The Israeli Opera)
Adele: Emily Rocha (Toronto, International Award Winning Artist)
Alfred: Franz Gürtelschmied (Bastille Opera, Paris; Graz Opera; Budapest Opera)
Eisenstein: Martin Mairinger (Klagenfurt Opera, Austria; Opéra de Lille, France; Klosterneuburg Opera, Austria; Theater an der Wien, Austria)
Frank: Kieran Rayner (Covent Garden; Welsh Opera; Scottish National Opera)
Falke: Mark Nathan (Welsh National Opera; Scottish Opera; Irish Opera)
Dr. Blind: Richard Roberts (English National Opera; Welsh National Opera; Theater Kiel, Germany; Theater Kassel, Germany)
Prince Orlofsky: Christiane Döcker: (Leipzig Opera, Germany; Klagenfurt Opera, Austria)
Ida: Sivan Keren (The Israeli Opera)
Ivan/Frosch: Joel Landshut (Actor)
In cooperation with the Vienna-Tel Aviv Vocal Connection
Strauss‘s opera Die Fledermaus, with conductor David Aronson, Shahar Choir (Gila Brill, conductor) and soloists from Israel and abroad.
David Aronson, conductor
Rosemarie Danziger, stage director
Rosalinde: Efrat Ashkenazi (The Israeli Opera)
Adele: Emily Rocha (Toronto, International Award Winning Artist)
Alfred: Franz Gürtelschmied (Bastille Opera, Paris; Graz Opera; Budapest Opera)
Eisenstein: Martin Mairinger (Klagenfurt Opera, Austria; Opéra de Lille, France; Klosterneuburg Opera, Austria; Theater an der Wien, Austria)
Frank: Kieran Rayner (Covent Garden; Welsh Opera; Scottish National Opera)
Falke: Mark Nathan (Welsh National Opera; Scottish Opera; Irish Opera)
Dr. Blind: Richard Roberts (English National Opera; Welsh National Opera; Theater Kiel, Germany; Theater Kassel, Germany)
Prince Orlofsky: Christiane Döcker: (Leipzig Opera, Germany; Klagenfurt Opera, Austria)
Ida: Sivan Keren (The Israeli Opera)
Ivan/Frosch: Joel Landshut (Actor)
In cooperation with the Vienna-Tel Aviv Vocal Connection
Strauss‘s opera Die Fledermaus, with conductor David Aronson, Shahar Choir (Gila Brill, conductor) and soloists from Israel and abroad.
David Aronson, conductor
Rosemarie Danziger, stage director
Rosalinde: Efrat Ashkenazi (The Israeli Opera)
Adele: Emily Rocha (Toronto, International Award Winning Artist)
Alfred: Franz Gürtelschmied (Bastille Opera, Paris; Graz Opera; Budapest Opera)
Eisenstein: Martin Mairinger (Klagenfurt Opera, Austria; Opéra de Lille, France; Klosterneuburg Opera, Austria; Theater an der Wien, Austria)
Frank: Kieran Rayner (Covent Garden; Welsh Opera; Scottish National Opera)
Falke: Mark Nathan (Welsh National Opera; Scottish Opera; Irish Opera)
Dr. Blind: Richard Roberts (English National Opera; Welsh National Opera; Theater Kiel, Germany; Theater Kassel, Germany)
Prince Orlofsky: Christiane Döcker: (Leipzig Opera, Germany; Klagenfurt Opera, Austria)
Ida: Sivan Keren (The Israeli Opera)
Ivan/Frosch: Joel Landshut (Actor)
- Whangārei soprano, Sophie Sparrow, for all the concerts
- Cheviot tenor, Harry Grigg, for all the concerts
- Kāpiti baritone, Kieran Rayner, for the Auckland and Wellington concerts
- Australian-Cypriot mezzo, Shakira Tsindos, for all the concerts.
- Whangārei soprano, Sophie Sparrow, for all the concerts
- Cheviot tenor, Harry Grigg, for all the concerts
- Kāpiti baritone, Kieran Rayner, for the Auckland and Wellington concerts
- Australian-Cypriot mezzo, Shakira Tsindos, for all the concerts.
An Amazing Musical Matinee!
While away your Sunday afternoon in the capable hands of the nation’s best loved raconteur, Gyles Brandreth, as he is joined by poet, comedian, songwriter and presenter Pam Ayres MBE.
Gyles Brandreth will compère live musical performances from the imagination of award-winning composer Louis Mander in his impressive catalogue of opera and musical theatre, written in collaboration with Pam Ayres, Stephen Fry and Hinge & Bracket.
Soprano: Jesscia Hopkins; Tenor: Wiliam Diggle; Baritone: Kieran Rayner; Piano: Louis Mander.
Somerset Opera present Dido and Aeneas
Directed by Guido Martin Brandis, conducted by Noah Mosley.
Experience Purcell’s timeless music performed by sublime soloists and Somerset Opera with the Taunton Sinfonietta beside the 4th Century Low Ham Mosaic. Marvel at this beautiful and ancient piece of narrative art – which depicts the tragic love story of Dido and Aeneas within the atmospheric surroundings of the Great Hall of the Museum of Somerset.
More information and tickets can be found on Somerset Opera’s website.
Somerset Opera present Dido and Aeneas
Directed by Guido Martin Brandis, conducted by Noah Mosley.
Experience Purcell’s timeless music performed by sublime soloists and Somerset Opera with the Taunton Sinfonietta beside the 4th Century Low Ham Mosaic. Marvel at this beautiful and ancient piece of narrative art – which depicts the tragic love story of Dido and Aeneas within the atmospheric surroundings of the Great Hall of the Museum of Somerset.
More information and tickets can be found on Somerset Opera’s website.
Somerset Opera present Dido and Aeneas
Directed by Guido Martin Brandis, conducted by Noah Mosley.
Experience Purcell’s timeless music performed by sublime soloists and Somerset Opera with the Taunton Sinfonietta beside the 4th Century Low Ham Mosaic. Marvel at this beautiful and ancient piece of narrative art – which depicts the tragic love story of Dido and Aeneas within the atmospheric surroundings of the Great Hall of the Museum of Somerset.
More information and tickets can be found on Somerset Opera’s website.
| Location: Waterperry Main Stage Start Time & Duration: Performances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.
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| Location: Waterperry Main Stage Start Time & Duration: Performances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.
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| Location: Waterperry Main Stage Start Time & Duration: Performances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.
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| Location: Waterperry Main Stage Start Time & Duration: Performances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.
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Kieran Rayner | Kieran Rayner – Baritone Kieran returns as a soloist with Llanelli Chamber Choir, this time to sing the bass solos in Haydn’s Creation.
This Halloween, Gothic Opera presents Maria de Rudenz by Donizetti, fully staged with a new arrangement for chamber orchestra, at historic venue Battersea Arts Centre, London. This production will be the first time Maria de Rudenz has been staged in the UK.
Maria de Rudenz is inspired by an episode of Matthew Gregory Lewis’s gothic novel The Monk, and tells a gory story of deceit, murder, betrayal, and resurrection from the dead. It premiered in 1838 in Venice.
Friday 1 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 2 November, 7.30pm
Director: Lysanne van Overbeek
Conductor:Anna Castro Grinstein
Maria: Lorna McLean
Corrado: Kieran Rayner
Enrico: Davide Basso
Mathilde: Béatrice de Larragoïti
Rambaldo: Gheorghe Palcu
Chancellor: Jamie Formoy
Chorus:
Valerie Wong
Katey Rylands
Alexander White
Samuel Snowden
Joe Ashmore
This Halloween, Gothic Opera presents Maria de Rudenz by Donizetti, fully staged with a new arrangement for chamber orchestra, at historic venue Battersea Arts Centre, London. This production will be the first time Maria de Rudenz has been staged in the UK.
Maria de Rudenz is inspired by an episode of Matthew Gregory Lewis’s gothic novel The Monk, and tells a gory story of deceit, murder, betrayal, and resurrection from the dead. It premiered in 1838 in Venice.
Friday 1 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 2 November, 7.30pm
Director: Lysanne van Overbeek
Conductor:Anna Castro Grinstein
Maria: Lorna McLean
Corrado: Kieran Rayner
Enrico: Davide Basso
Mathilde: Béatrice de Larragoïti
Rambaldo: Gheorghe Palcu
Chancellor: Jamie Formoy
Chorus:
Valerie Wong
Katey Rylands
Alexander White
Samuel Snowden
Joe Ashmore
What If?
An uplifting and moving concert and play combined, exploring love, loss, war, and women’s suffrage through song – where you, the audience, get to choose the direction of the story.
Kieran Rayner baritone
Gamal Khamis piano
What If? is a play and song recital combined – with a twist. At pivotal moments in the story, the audience votes to decide what the protagonist should do, changing the plot and musical programme.
Set in 1914, What If? features multiple characters acted and sung by Kieran, with piano and sound effects played by Gamal. Our story explores love, loss, friendship, war, and women’s suffrage, all while giving the audience agency over the direction of the narrative.
Whichever paths are picked, we guarantee a fulfilling and uplifting experience: an entertaining script connecting a rich selection of German and English songs, including Schubert, Robert and Clara Schumann, Ethel Smyth, Butterworth, and Finzi, alongside contemporary composers.
Jubilee Choir Odiham
Kieran sings the bass solos in Rossini’s Petite Messe Solonnelle, which is neither short nor solemn.
It is a joyous piece reflecting Rossini’s love of opera.
Platinum Consort, described by BBC Radio 3 as a ‘vocal supergroup’, returns to Sinfonia Smith Square for their fourth annual performance of Handel’s most beloved masterpiece, Messiah. Conductor Scott Inglis-Kidger uniquely combines Platinum’s top class professional consort singers and choristers, recreating the sound-world of the first performances in Dublin and London. With soloists stepping out from the choir and the period instrument orchestra, Platinum 415, this performance will prove to be the Messiah of the season.
Kieran will sing bass solos and join the ensemble.
“This is singing that brings great pleasure.” – International Record Review
DEBUT’s monthly classical music experience south of the river at Brunel Museum’s historic Grade II* listed Thames Tunnel Shaft. Join us for our much loved Christmas Celebration (early booking recommended, these concerts sell out fast!)
MUSICIANS
Lizzie Holmessoprano, host & founder
Sam Peñaresident pianist & improviser
Kang Yang GuZheng
Eleanor Garside soprano
Meriel Cunningham mezzo soprano
William Diggle – tenor
Kieran Rayner baritone
DEBUT’s monthly classical music experiences at the cosy Shoreditch Treehouse. Join us for our much loved Christmas Celebration (early booking recommended, these concerts sell out fast!)
MUSICIANS
Lizzie Holmessoprano, host & founder
Sam Peñaresident pianist & improviser
Kang Yang GuZheng
Eleanor Garside soprano
Meriel Cunningham mezzo soprano
William Diggle – tenor
Kieran Rayner baritone
DEBUT’s monthly classical music experiences at the cosy Shoreditch Treehouse. Join us for our much loved Christmas Celebration (early booking recommended, these concerts sell out fast!)
MUSICIANS
Lizzie Holmessoprano, host & founder
Sam Peñaresident pianist & improviser
Kang Yang GuZheng
Eleanor Garside soprano
Meriel Cunningham mezzo soprano
William Diggle – tenor
Kieran Rayner baritone
Gualtiero – Il Pirata himself – was Imogene’s first love, but he has been a pirate on the high seas since a feud with Ernesto. Imogene was forced to marry Ernesto and together they have a son. The opera opens with a storm and Gualtiero is shipwrecked on the rocks of Ernesto’s island… the drama begins! As Gualtiero and Ernesto fight over Imogene, who will emerge victorious? You’ll have to come along and find out!
We’ve started rehearsals already, all my cast mates and the creative team are both talented and lovely (ideal!), already I can tell this is going to be a special show.
Performances are on 13th, 15th & 16th February at 5:30pm.
Gates open: 4:30pm
Dinner interval: 6.30 – 7.30pm.
CAST:
Imogene: Rebecca Ryan
Gualtiero: Zachary McCulloch
Ernesto: Kieran Rayner
Itulbo: Scott Biezett
Adele: Alexandra Appleby Woodhouse
Solitario: William McElwee
Director: Rhona Fraser
Conductor: Mark Carter
Repetiteur: Catherine Norton
Sung in Italian with chorus and orchestra.
Address:
Canna House
24 Moana Rd, Days Bay
Wellington
Gualtiero – Il Pirata himself – was Imogene’s first love, but he has been a pirate on the high seas since a feud with Ernesto. Imogene was forced to marry Ernesto and together they have a son. The opera opens with a storm and Gualtiero is shipwrecked on the rocks of Ernesto’s island… the drama begins! As Gualtiero and Ernesto fight over Imogene, who will emerge victorious? You’ll have to come along and find out!
We’ve started rehearsals already, all my cast mates and the creative team are both talented and lovely (ideal!), already I can tell this is going to be a special show.
Performances are on 13th, 15th & 16th February at 5:30pm.
Gates open: 4:30pm
Dinner interval: 6.30 – 7.30pm.
CAST:
Imogene: Rebecca Ryan
Gualtiero: Zachary McCulloch
Ernesto: Kieran Rayner
Itulbo: Scott Biezett
Adele: Alexandra Appleby Woodhouse
Solitario: William McElwee
Director: Rhona Fraser
Conductor: Mark Carter
Repetiteur: Catherine Norton
Sung in Italian with chorus and orchestra.
Address:
Canna House
24 Moana Rd, Days Bay
Wellington
Gualtiero – Il Pirata himself – was Imogene’s first love, but he has been a pirate on the high seas since a feud with Ernesto. Imogene was forced to marry Ernesto and together they have a son. The opera opens with a storm and Gualtiero is shipwrecked on the rocks of Ernesto’s island… the drama begins! As Gualtiero and Ernesto fight over Imogene, who will emerge victorious? You’ll have to come along and find out!
We’ve started rehearsals already, all my cast mates and the creative team are both talented and lovely (ideal!), already I can tell this is going to be a special show.
Performances are on 13th, 15th & 16th February at 5:30pm.
Gates open: 4:30pm
Dinner interval: 6.30 – 7.30pm.
CAST:
Imogene: Rebecca Ryan
Gualtiero: Zachary McCulloch
Ernesto: Kieran Rayner
Itulbo: Scott Biezett
Adele: Alexandra Appleby Woodhouse
Solitario: William McElwee
Director: Rhona Fraser
Conductor: Mark Carter
Repetiteur: Catherine Norton
Sung in Italian with chorus and orchestra.
Address:
Canna House
24 Moana Rd, Days Bay
Wellington
Great Orchestra Experiment 2025
Bookings for the Great Orchestra Experiment 2025 are now open! Join us on an epic musical journey led by the fantastic Robin Hood Youth Orchestra on the 26th March 2025 at the Albert Hall, Nottingham.
Kieran will sing the Lead Judge in the court scene from Aida, leading a chorus of primary school students on a wonderful journey through what will be, for many of them, their first operatic experience.
GOE is an exciting interactive concert for pupils learning an instrument as part of our Whole Class Ensemble (WCE) Programme (usually year 4). This year the event will take place on 26th March 2025 in three separate sessions. If your school has not received an invitation to book yet, please email rebecca.hart@nottinghammusichub.org.uk
Great Orchestra Experiment 2024
1767 city pupils
41 primary schools
3 concerts in one day!
We had an absolutely smashing Great Orchestra Experiment this year, with more students than ever taking part in our live event at the Albert Hall on 20th March 2024. We are so proud of the Robin Hood Youth Orchestra (RHYO) for leading such an inspirational performance for primary school pupils from across Nottingham City. We hope to see many of the primary pupils in RHYO in a few years time!
A special and profound Good Friday church service in which Stainer’s iconic choral work, The Crucifixion, will be used to narrate the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It is comprised of sacred music for choir and organ, and well-known congregational hymns. The solos will be sung by renowned professionals: Jeff Stewart (tenor) and Kieran Rayner (bass).
The Dowager’s Oyster – An Operetta
Presented by Cantata Dramatica
Music: Louis Mander
Lyrics: Jack Cherry & George Logan
Performance date: Thursday 8 th May, 2025
Venue: The Reform Club, Pall Mall, London
Production team
MD – Louis Mander
Director – Peter Champness
Producer/Designer – Louisa Petais
The Dowager’s Oyster is a comic operetta composed by Louis Mander with a
libretto by Jack Cherry. It premiered in 2016 at the Grimeborn Festival in
London’s Arcola Theatre. The operetta is set in 1924, blending murder mystery
with comedic farce, often compared stylistically to Agatha Christie’s intrigue
and the humor of Gilbert and Sullivan. The plot follows Lady Tindale (the
Dowager) and her daughter Cynthia as they travel to France for a holiday. The
trip is peppered with gossip, misunderstandings, and scandal involving
Cynthia’s fiancé, Freddy, who is secretly in Morocco with his lover. The story
takes a darker turn when the Dowager is murdered during a lunch, leading to a
whodunnit investigation by Dr. Gibaud, a pompous detective. The operetta
combines satire, wit, and social commentary, making it a lighthearted yet
sharp theatrical piece. Louis Mander’s composition received praise for its
engaging musical style, while the production was noted for its vibrant portrayal
of 1920s settings and eccentric characters.
An unofficial prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini’s beloved comic opera Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) follows Figaro’s escapades as he plays matchmaker and troublemaker, with disguises and deception.
With humour, romance and unforgettable music, we present a new production of this comedic masterpiece. Conducted by the resident conductor of Irish National Opera Elaine Kelly and directed by Louise Bakker, this production promises to delight audiences of all ages.
An unofficial prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini’s beloved comic opera Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) follows Figaro’s escapades as he plays matchmaker and troublemaker, with disguises and deception.
With humour, romance and unforgettable music, we present a new production of this comedic masterpiece. Conducted by the resident conductor of Irish National Opera Elaine Kelly and directed by Louise Bakker, this production promises to delight audiences of all ages.
An unofficial prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini’s beloved comic opera Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) follows Figaro’s escapades as he plays matchmaker and troublemaker, with disguises and deception.
With humour, romance and unforgettable music, we present a new production of this comedic masterpiece. Conducted by the resident conductor of Irish National Opera Elaine Kelly and directed by Louise Bakker, this production promises to delight audiences of all ages.
An unofficial prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini’s beloved comic opera Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) follows Figaro’s escapades as he plays matchmaker and troublemaker, with disguises and deception.
With humour, romance and unforgettable music, we present a new production of this comedic masterpiece. Conducted by the resident conductor of Irish National Opera Elaine Kelly and directed by Louise Bakker, this production promises to delight audiences of all ages.
What path will our river take to the sea?
England, 1914. Young bookseller Max and his best friend Sam have both fallen for Lily, a suffragette. As World War I unfolds, will Max follow patriotic Sam and enlist, or stay and campaign for social reform with Lily? Be it in cruel trenches or impoverished streets, turmoil is inevitable. Navigating war, politics, love, and brotherhood, Max must choose between desire and loyalty, between his duty and principles. What will he do? That’s where you come in…
Kieran Rayner’s moving and entertaining story, with himself singing and the wonderful Gamal Khamis on piano, combines live classical music with a branching narrative where the audience votes on what happens, shaping the plot and musical programme. Featuring songs by Finzi, Butterworth, Schubert, Robert &Clara Schumann, Ethel Smyth and more, What If? is an unforgettable evening of choose-your-own-adventure with song at its soul.
Suggested Age: 12+
An unofficial prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini’s beloved comic opera Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) follows Figaro’s escapades as he plays matchmaker and troublemaker, with disguises and deception.
With humour, romance and unforgettable music, we present a new production of this comedic masterpiece. Conducted by the resident conductor of Irish National Opera Elaine Kelly and directed by Louise Bakker, this production promises to delight audiences of all ages.
An unofficial prequel to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini’s beloved comic opera Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) follows Figaro’s escapades as he plays matchmaker and troublemaker, with disguises and deception.
With humour, romance and unforgettable music, we present a new production of this comedic masterpiece. Conducted by the resident conductor of Irish National Opera Elaine Kelly and directed by Louise Bakker, this production promises to delight audiences of all ages.