Aug
10
Sat
2024
Bartolo: Barber of Seville @ Waterperry Opera Festival
Aug 10 @ 6:30 pm
Performances on the 10, 11, 14, 15 & 17 of August 2024
Location: Waterperry Main Stage
Start Time & DurationPerformances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.

Overflowing with wit, charm, and famous melodies, The Barber of Seville is our unmissable headline opera this year. Step into Rossini’s vibrant world, a whirlwind of comedic chaos and romantic mischief performed on our main stage in front of the glorious façade of Waterperry House.

In the bustling streets of Seville, the charming and quick-witted Figaro, barber extraordinaire, concocts a cunning plan to help his lovelorn friend, Count Almaviva, win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. With hilarious disguises and mischievous schemes, Figaro orchestrates a series of escapades to outwit Rosina’s overbearing guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own designs on marrying her for her wealth. As the plot twists and turns, audiences are treated to Rossini’s lively melodies and effervescent arias that evoke laughter and joy.

Opera by Gioachino Rossini.

Performed in English on our Main Stage in front of Waterperry House.

​English Translation by Christopher Cowell.

Aug
11
Sun
2024
Bartolo: Barber of Seville @ Waterperry Opera Festival
Aug 11 @ 6:30 pm
Performances on the 10, 11, 14, 15 & 17 of August 2024
Location: Waterperry Main Stage
Start Time & DurationPerformances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.

Overflowing with wit, charm, and famous melodies, The Barber of Seville is our unmissable headline opera this year. Step into Rossini’s vibrant world, a whirlwind of comedic chaos and romantic mischief performed on our main stage in front of the glorious façade of Waterperry House.

In the bustling streets of Seville, the charming and quick-witted Figaro, barber extraordinaire, concocts a cunning plan to help his lovelorn friend, Count Almaviva, win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. With hilarious disguises and mischievous schemes, Figaro orchestrates a series of escapades to outwit Rosina’s overbearing guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own designs on marrying her for her wealth. As the plot twists and turns, audiences are treated to Rossini’s lively melodies and effervescent arias that evoke laughter and joy.

Opera by Gioachino Rossini.

Performed in English on our Main Stage in front of Waterperry House.

​English Translation by Christopher Cowell.

Aug
14
Wed
2024
Bartolo: Barber of Seville @ Waterperry Opera Festival
Aug 14 @ 6:30 pm
Performances on the 10, 11, 14, 15 & 17 of August 2024
Location: Waterperry Main Stage
Start Time & DurationPerformances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.

Overflowing with wit, charm, and famous melodies, The Barber of Seville is our unmissable headline opera this year. Step into Rossini’s vibrant world, a whirlwind of comedic chaos and romantic mischief performed on our main stage in front of the glorious façade of Waterperry House.

In the bustling streets of Seville, the charming and quick-witted Figaro, barber extraordinaire, concocts a cunning plan to help his lovelorn friend, Count Almaviva, win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. With hilarious disguises and mischievous schemes, Figaro orchestrates a series of escapades to outwit Rosina’s overbearing guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own designs on marrying her for her wealth. As the plot twists and turns, audiences are treated to Rossini’s lively melodies and effervescent arias that evoke laughter and joy.

Opera by Gioachino Rossini.

Performed in English on our Main Stage in front of Waterperry House.

​English Translation by Christopher Cowell.

Aug
17
Sat
2024
Bartolo: Barber of Seville @ Waterperry Opera Festival
Aug 17 @ 6:30 pm
Performances on the 10, 11, 14, 15 & 17 of August 2024
Location: Waterperry Main Stage
Start Time & DurationPerformances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.

Overflowing with wit, charm, and famous melodies, The Barber of Seville is our unmissable headline opera this year. Step into Rossini’s vibrant world, a whirlwind of comedic chaos and romantic mischief performed on our main stage in front of the glorious façade of Waterperry House.

In the bustling streets of Seville, the charming and quick-witted Figaro, barber extraordinaire, concocts a cunning plan to help his lovelorn friend, Count Almaviva, win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. With hilarious disguises and mischievous schemes, Figaro orchestrates a series of escapades to outwit Rosina’s overbearing guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own designs on marrying her for her wealth. As the plot twists and turns, audiences are treated to Rossini’s lively melodies and effervescent arias that evoke laughter and joy.

Opera by Gioachino Rossini.

Performed in English on our Main Stage in front of Waterperry House.

​English Translation by Christopher Cowell.

Sep
28
Sat
2024
Haydn: Creation @ Llanelli
Sep 28 @ 7:00 pm
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.

Nov
1
Fri
2024
Corrado: Maria de Rudenz, Donizetti @ Battersea Arts Centre
Nov 1 @ 7:30 pm

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

Nov
2
Sat
2024
Corrado: Maria de Rudenz, Donizetti @ Battersea Arts Centre
Nov 2 @ 7:30 pm

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

Nov
11
Mon
2024
What If? – An Interactive Recital @ Royal Over-Seas League
Nov 11 @ 6:30 pm

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.

What If?

 

Nov
17
Sun
2024
Rossini: Petite Messe Solenelle @ All Saints Church, Odiham
Nov 17 @ 6:30 pm

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.

 

Nov
23
Sat
2024
Handel: Messiah @ St John's Smith Square
Nov 23 @ 7:30 pm

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

Dec
5
Thu
2024
DEBUT Christmas Concert @ Brunel Museum
Dec 5 @ 7:00 pm

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

Dec
13
Fri
2024
DEBUT Christmas Concert @ Shoreditch Treehouse
Dec 13 @ 7:30 pm

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

Dec
14
Sat
2024
DEBUT Christmas Concert @ Shoreditch Treehouse
Dec 14 @ 7:30 pm

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

Feb
13
Thu
2025
Ernesto: Il Pirata, Bellini
Feb 13 @ 5:30 pm

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

Booking is now open here.

Feb
15
Sat
2025
Ernesto: Il Pirata, Bellini
Feb 15 @ 5:30 pm

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

Booking is now open here.

Feb
16
Sun
2025
Ernesto: Il Pirata, Bellini
Feb 16 @ 5:30 pm

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

Booking is now open here.

Mar
26
Wed
2025
The Great Orchestra Experiment @ Albert Hall, Nottingham
Mar 26 all-day

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!