Nov
13
Sun
2022
Junius: The Rape of Lucretia – Royal Opera House/BPA @ Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre
Nov 13 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

A co-production by Britten Pears Arts and The Royal Opera House.

In a world brutalised by conflict, one woman’s experience of horrific violence becomes the defining moment of an era.

Benjamin Britten’s shattering chamber opera explores some of the darkest drives in the human psyche – and what happens when power and war give them free rein. In this contemporary new staging, Oliver Mears directs, while Corinna Niemeyer conducts a cast drawn from the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme and the Jette Parker Artists Programme.

Throughout the autumn, we will be exploring aspects of this production and its wider context in a series of talks and presentations online. Keep your eye on the website for more details.

 

Nov
15
Tue
2022
Junius: The Rape of Lucretia – Royal Opera House/BPA @ Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre
Nov 15 @ 7:45 pm – 9:45 pm

A co-production by Britten Pears Arts and The Royal Opera House.

In a world brutalised by conflict, one woman’s experience of horrific violence becomes the defining moment of an era.

Benjamin Britten’s shattering chamber opera explores some of the darkest drives in the human psyche – and what happens when power and war give them free rein. In this contemporary new staging, Oliver Mears directs, while Corinna Niemeyer conducts a cast drawn from the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme and the Jette Parker Artists Programme.

Throughout the autumn, we will be exploring aspects of this production and its wider context in a series of talks and presentations online. Keep your eye on the website for more details.

 

Nov
16
Wed
2022
Junius: The Rape of Lucretia – Royal Opera House/BPA @ Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre
Nov 16 @ 7:45 pm – 9:45 pm

A co-production by Britten Pears Arts and The Royal Opera House.

In a world brutalised by conflict, one woman’s experience of horrific violence becomes the defining moment of an era.

Benjamin Britten’s shattering chamber opera explores some of the darkest drives in the human psyche – and what happens when power and war give them free rein. In this contemporary new staging, Oliver Mears directs, while Corinna Niemeyer conducts a cast drawn from the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme and the Jette Parker Artists Programme.

Throughout the autumn, we will be exploring aspects of this production and its wider context in a series of talks and presentations online. Keep your eye on the website for more details.

 

Nov
18
Fri
2022
Junius: The Rape of Lucretia – Royal Opera House/BPA @ Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre
Nov 18 @ 7:45 pm – 9:45 pm

A co-production by Britten Pears Arts and The Royal Opera House.

In a world brutalised by conflict, one woman’s experience of horrific violence becomes the defining moment of an era.

Benjamin Britten’s shattering chamber opera explores some of the darkest drives in the human psyche – and what happens when power and war give them free rein. In this contemporary new staging, Oliver Mears directs, while Corinna Niemeyer conducts a cast drawn from the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme and the Jette Parker Artists Programme.

Throughout the autumn, we will be exploring aspects of this production and its wider context in a series of talks and presentations online. Keep your eye on the website for more details.

 

Nov
19
Sat
2022
Junius: The Rape of Lucretia – Royal Opera House/BPA @ Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre
Nov 19 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

A co-production by Britten Pears Arts and The Royal Opera House.

In a world brutalised by conflict, one woman’s experience of horrific violence becomes the defining moment of an era.

Benjamin Britten’s shattering chamber opera explores some of the darkest drives in the human psyche – and what happens when power and war give them free rein. In this contemporary new staging, Oliver Mears directs, while Corinna Niemeyer conducts a cast drawn from the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme and the Jette Parker Artists Programme.

Throughout the autumn, we will be exploring aspects of this production and its wider context in a series of talks and presentations online. Keep your eye on the website for more details.

 

Nov
21
Mon
2022
Junius: The Rape of Lucretia – Royal Opera House/BPA @ Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre
Nov 21 @ 7:45 pm – 9:45 pm

A co-production by Britten Pears Arts and The Royal Opera House.

In a world brutalised by conflict, one woman’s experience of horrific violence becomes the defining moment of an era.

Benjamin Britten’s shattering chamber opera explores some of the darkest drives in the human psyche – and what happens when power and war give them free rein. In this contemporary new staging, Oliver Mears directs, while Corinna Niemeyer conducts a cast drawn from the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme and the Jette Parker Artists Programme.

Throughout the autumn, we will be exploring aspects of this production and its wider context in a series of talks and presentations online. Keep your eye on the website for more details.

 

Nov
22
Tue
2022
Junius: The Rape of Lucretia – Royal Opera House/BPA @ Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre
Nov 22 @ 7:45 pm – 9:45 pm

A co-production by Britten Pears Arts and The Royal Opera House.

In a world brutalised by conflict, one woman’s experience of horrific violence becomes the defining moment of an era.

Benjamin Britten’s shattering chamber opera explores some of the darkest drives in the human psyche – and what happens when power and war give them free rein. In this contemporary new staging, Oliver Mears directs, while Corinna Niemeyer conducts a cast drawn from the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme and the Jette Parker Artists Programme.

Throughout the autumn, we will be exploring aspects of this production and its wider context in a series of talks and presentations online. Keep your eye on the website for more details.

 

Feb
14
Tue
2023
Papageno: Die Zauberflöte (Festival Opera, NZ) @ Napier Municipal Theatre
Feb 14 @ 7:00 pm

Presented for the Art Deco Festival, Festival Opera proudly presents W A Mozart’s masterpiece, The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). Sung in German with English dialogues and accompanied by a live orchestra. Presented by Festival Opera – 14,16,18 and 20 February 2023 at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

Kieran makes his first return to NZ in three years to play Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute for Festival Opera in beautiful Napier, Hawke’s Bay. Joined by a strong cast of established singers and up-and-coming talent, this entertaining and energetic show is not to be missed!

One year on from the original planned season, we can finally step into the fairy-tale world of Mozart’s triumphant last opera The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). It’s crammed full of entertaining characters who are motivated by passion or by hate, but all in search of the ultimate truth.

Danger, magic, tests of integrity, and actions both honourable and foul sweep us up into an enchanting tale where nothing is quite as it seems. This celebrated opera is widely believed to be one of the most magically heart-stopping compositions ever written, featuring many recognisable melodies that have stood the test of time. In our 2023 season, the work is performed by Aotearoa’s finest operatic talent.

Principal Stage Director John Wilkie and Conductor José Aparicio will lead an outstanding cast headlined by Aotearoa’s most promising young tenor, NZ Aria Winner, Lexus Song Quest Finalist and Project Prima Volta graduate, Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, who takes the role of Tamino. He shares the stage with many other PPV graduates, and established professionals including Emma Pearson who debuts with Festival Opera performing the role of Pamina, Baritone Kieran Rayner who returns to Festival Opera to sing Papageno and Mezzo-Soprano Kirstin Darragh, also in her debut with Festival Opera, singing the role of Third Lady.

The fully staged opera will also feature the Festival Opera Junior Chorus and PPV Senior members.

Project Prima Volta’s participation in The Magic Flute is made possible through the generous support of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation.

 

Feb
16
Thu
2023
Papageno: Die Zauberflöte (Festival Opera, NZ) @ Napier Municipal Theatre
Feb 16 @ 5:00 pm

Presented for the Art Deco Festival, Festival Opera proudly presents W A Mozart’s masterpiece, The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). Sung in German with English dialogues and accompanied by a live orchestra. Presented by Festival Opera – 14,16,18 and 20 February 2023 at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

Kieran makes his first return to NZ in three years to play Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute for Festival Opera in beautiful Napier, Hawke’s Bay. Joined by a strong cast of established singers and up-and-coming talent, this entertaining and energetic show is not to be missed!

One year on from the original planned season, we can finally step into the fairy-tale world of Mozart’s triumphant last opera The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). It’s crammed full of entertaining characters who are motivated by passion or by hate, but all in search of the ultimate truth.

Danger, magic, tests of integrity, and actions both honourable and foul sweep us up into an enchanting tale where nothing is quite as it seems. This celebrated opera is widely believed to be one of the most magically heart-stopping compositions ever written, featuring many recognisable melodies that have stood the test of time. In our 2023 season, the work is performed by Aotearoa’s finest operatic talent.

Principal Stage Director John Wilkie and Conductor José Aparicio will lead an outstanding cast headlined by Aotearoa’s most promising young tenor, NZ Aria Winner, Lexus Song Quest Finalist and Project Prima Volta graduate, Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, who takes the role of Tamino. He shares the stage with many other PPV graduates, and established professionals including Emma Pearson who debuts with Festival Opera performing the role of Pamina, Baritone Kieran Rayner who returns to Festival Opera to sing Papageno and Mezzo-Soprano Kirstin Darragh, also in her debut with Festival Opera, singing the role of Third Lady.

The fully staged opera will also feature the Festival Opera Junior Chorus and PPV Senior members.

Project Prima Volta’s participation in The Magic Flute is made possible through the generous support of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation.

 

Feb
18
Sat
2023
Papageno: Die Zauberflöte (Festival Opera, NZ) @ Napier Municipal Theatre
Feb 18 @ 7:00 pm

Presented for the Art Deco Festival, Festival Opera proudly presents W A Mozart’s masterpiece, The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). Sung in German with English dialogues and accompanied by a live orchestra. Presented by Festival Opera – 14,16,18 and 20 February 2023 at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

Kieran makes his first return to NZ in three years to play Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute for Festival Opera in beautiful Napier, Hawke’s Bay. Joined by a strong cast of established singers and up-and-coming talent, this entertaining and energetic show is not to be missed!

One year on from the original planned season, we can finally step into the fairy-tale world of Mozart’s triumphant last opera The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). It’s crammed full of entertaining characters who are motivated by passion or by hate, but all in search of the ultimate truth.

Danger, magic, tests of integrity, and actions both honourable and foul sweep us up into an enchanting tale where nothing is quite as it seems. This celebrated opera is widely believed to be one of the most magically heart-stopping compositions ever written, featuring many recognisable melodies that have stood the test of time. In our 2023 season, the work is performed by Aotearoa’s finest operatic talent.

Principal Stage Director John Wilkie and Conductor José Aparicio will lead an outstanding cast headlined by Aotearoa’s most promising young tenor, NZ Aria Winner, Lexus Song Quest Finalist and Project Prima Volta graduate, Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, who takes the role of Tamino. He shares the stage with many other PPV graduates, and established professionals including Emma Pearson who debuts with Festival Opera performing the role of Pamina, Baritone Kieran Rayner who returns to Festival Opera to sing Papageno and Mezzo-Soprano Kirstin Darragh, also in her debut with Festival Opera, singing the role of Third Lady.

The fully staged opera will also feature the Festival Opera Junior Chorus and PPV Senior members.

Project Prima Volta’s participation in The Magic Flute is made possible through the generous support of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation.

 

Feb
20
Mon
2023
Papageno: Die Zauberflöte (Festival Opera, NZ) @ Napier Municipal Theatre
Feb 20 @ 11:00 am

Presented for the Art Deco Festival, Festival Opera proudly presents W A Mozart’s masterpiece, The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). Sung in German with English dialogues and accompanied by a live orchestra. Presented by Festival Opera – 14,16,18 and 20 February 2023 at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

Kieran makes his first return to NZ in three years to play Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute for Festival Opera in beautiful Napier, Hawke’s Bay. Joined by a strong cast of established singers and up-and-coming talent, this entertaining and energetic show is not to be missed!

One year on from the original planned season, we can finally step into the fairy-tale world of Mozart’s triumphant last opera The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). It’s crammed full of entertaining characters who are motivated by passion or by hate, but all in search of the ultimate truth.

Danger, magic, tests of integrity, and actions both honourable and foul sweep us up into an enchanting tale where nothing is quite as it seems. This celebrated opera is widely believed to be one of the most magically heart-stopping compositions ever written, featuring many recognisable melodies that have stood the test of time. In our 2023 season, the work is performed by Aotearoa’s finest operatic talent.

Principal Stage Director John Wilkie and Conductor José Aparicio will lead an outstanding cast headlined by Aotearoa’s most promising young tenor, NZ Aria Winner, Lexus Song Quest Finalist and Project Prima Volta graduate, Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, who takes the role of Tamino. He shares the stage with many other PPV graduates, and established professionals including Emma Pearson who debuts with Festival Opera performing the role of Pamina, Baritone Kieran Rayner who returns to Festival Opera to sing Papageno and Mezzo-Soprano Kirstin Darragh, also in her debut with Festival Opera, singing the role of Third Lady.

The fully staged opera will also feature the Festival Opera Junior Chorus and PPV Senior members.

Project Prima Volta’s participation in The Magic Flute is made possible through the generous support of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation.

 

Mar
25
Sat
2023
Bass Soloist: St John Passion @ St Giles Cripplegate
Mar 25 @ 7:30 pm

Join the critically acclaimed London Oriana Choir under Musical Director Dominic Peckham, The Meridian Sinfonia and an array of international soloists for Bach’s masterpiece as we look toward Eastertide.

Siân Dicker: soprano

Lotte Betts-Dean: mezzo-soprano

Will Wright: tenor

Kieran Rayner: bass

Peter Kirk: Evangelist

Apr
15
Sat
2023
Recital: Ludlow English Song Weekend @ St Laurence's Church, Ludlow
Apr 15 @ 11:00 am

As winner of the 2022 Sing Finzi competition, Kieran will perform Finzi’s major song cycle Before and After Summer, a collection of Hardy poems centring around love, loss and reminiscence, as well as an exciting Judith Weir cycle The Voice of Desire. Joined by Krystal Tunnicliffe on the piano, and Sing Finzi runner-up Siân Dicker.

St Laurence’s Church

Siân Dicker soprano
Kieran Rayner baritone
Krystal Tunnicliffe piano

Gerald Finzi  Til Earth outwears
Judith Weir  The Voice of Desire
Edward Rushton  From Katherine Mansfield’s Diary (Premiere)
Gerald Finzi  Before and after Summer

Jun
10
Sat
2023
One Shoe of Each Colour – Preview Performance
Jun 10 @ 7:00 pm

This is the preview showing of an exciting new musical by Sam Peña, One Shoe of Each Colour, which explores identity, growth and change. More details to follow.

Jul
6
Thu
2023
Billy Bones: Captain Blood’s Revenge – Norwich Opera Festival @ The Octagon
Jul 6 @ 12:00 pm

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.

Jul
8
Sat
2023
Billy Bones: Captain Blood’s Revenge – Norwich Opera Festival @ The Octagon
Jul 8 @ 12:00 pm

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.

Escamillo: Carmen – Norwich Opera Festival @ The Octagon
Jul 8 @ 7:00 pm

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.

Jul
9
Sun
2023
Escamillo: Carmen – Norwich Opera Festival @ The Octagon
Jul 9 @ 7:00 pm

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.

Jul
10
Mon
2023
Billy Bones: Captain Blood’s Revenge – Norwich Opera Festival @ The Octagon
Jul 10 @ 12:00 pm

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.

Jul
13
Thu
2023
Escamillo: Carmen – Norwich Opera Festival @ The Octagon
Jul 13 @ 7:00 pm

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.

Jul
14
Fri
2023
Escamillo: Carmen – Norwich Opera Festival @ The Octagon
Jul 14 @ 7:00 pm

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.

Jul
16
Sun
2023
Billy Bones: Captain Blood’s Revenge – Norwich Opera Festival @ The Octagon
Jul 16 @ 12:00 pm

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.

Escamillo: Carmen – Norwich Opera Festival @ The Octagon
Jul 16 @ 7:00 pm

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.

Aug
16
Wed
2023
Sorcerer: Dido & Aeneas – Waterperry Opera Festival @ Waterperry
Aug 16 @ 6:30 pm

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.

Aug
18
Fri
2023
Sorcerer: Dido & Aeneas – Waterperry Opera Festival @ Waterperry
Aug 18 @ 6:30 pm

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.

Aug
20
Sun
2023
Sorcerer: Dido & Aeneas – Waterperry Opera Festival @ Waterperry
Aug 20 @ 6:30 pm

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.

Sep
11
Mon
2023
What If? – Samling Arts Residency @ Marchmont House
Sep 11 – Sep 17 all-day

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.