AA Opera

Listen in and cheers with us to AA Opera 🥂 Our final episode is full of nostalgia, reflection and an update on what's next for us both. Thanks to everyone that has been a part of our podcast of almost 5 years and 106 episodes! With Love, Ash + Avi xoxo

WE ARE BACK! Season 8 kicks off with International Opera Singer, Stage and Screen Actor, Zachary James! Ash + Avi chat to Zach about his career in showbiz and how we can as artists can embrace versatility! Such an inspiring episode, we hope you enjoy. Zach's Links: Website | Instagram Our Links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee

This week Ash + Avi are joined by the fantastic world renowned mezzo, Kate Lindsey! Kate’s career is one so many singers aspire to. She shares what her journey has been like, working on special projects like “Handmaids Tale” as well as motherhood as an opera singer. We hope you love this episode as much as we do. Kate's Links: Website | Instagram Our Links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee

This week Ash + Avi sit down with one of Opera's freshest and most celebrated Tenors, Freddie De Tommaso. Freddie reflects on his Opera Journey so far and how it came to be! He also shares the inspiration behind his debut album 'Passione' and his latest chart-topping release Il Tenore. What a pleasure it was to talk to such a genuine and talented artist. Enjoy! Freddie's Links: Website | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music Our Links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee

This week Ash + Avi got to chat with Baritone Benson Wilson. Benson is currently a Harewood artist at ENO. Benson Talks about the influence of his heritage on his performances and how he has developed a career in the industry as well as what it means to him to be an opera singer. Benson's links:

This week Ash + Avi welcome Mezzo-Soprano Kitty Whately. We find out about her exciting career and her latest album release ‘Befreit: A Soul Surrendered’. Kitty is also the co-founder of SWAP'ra. A fantastic organisation for women and parents within the Opera industry. Tune in to find out about their mission, values and how to get involved! Kitty's Links: Instagram | Twitter | Listen | Album Our Links:⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Buy us a Coffee

This week Ash + Avi are in the hot seat! And are share some very big news... What could it be? Tune into episode 100 to find out everything! Our Links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee

This week Ash + Avi chat with Conductor & Chorus Director Aidan Oliver. We talk about the Glyndebourne that we know and love as well as Aidans work with Edinburgh Festival Chorus and Philharmonia Voices. We discuss the joys of choral music and tips on auditioning! Aidan's Links: Website | Twitter | Glyndebourne Support the Podcast Buy us a coffee

This week Ash + Avi met up with fellow Royal Academy of Music alumni, Bass-Baritone Ossian Huskinson. Since graduating from RAM Opera school Ossian has been working on the opera stages throughout the UK and Europe. Ossian is currently a Harewood Artist at ENO. Find out more about Ossian's exciting career on the episode. Ossian's Links: Website | Instagram Our Links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee

This week Ash + Avi chat with international Opera Director Bruno Ravella. Bruno shares his directing story so far, we discuss the importance of languages, the perks of working abroad and advice for aspiring directors. Make sure you're following Bruno to keep up to date with his latest productions! Bruno's Links: Website | Instagram | Wexford Festival Support the Podcast Buy us a coffee

This week Ash + Avi met with director Emma Black. Starting out at Opera North as a choir administrator, Emma has a very unique and interesting journey to her directing career. She has loads of insights and is very involved with education outreach as well. You can now find Emma back at Opera North directing Eugene Onegin. Follow Emma Instagram | Website | Eugene Onegin @ Opera North

This week Ash + Avi are joined by Rachael Williams, CEO of Streetwise Opera. Rachael shares with us what Streetwise Opera is all about and WOW - what a fantastic organisation. We also chat about what it means to be a good leader within this industry, alongside a few nuggets of advice for emerging producers. We hope you enjoy! Make sure you check out the links below to learn more and support Streetwise Opera. Streetwise Links Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Follow Rachael Twitter

This week Ash + Avi met up with artist manager James Black. James previously an international countertenor now an artist manager working with singers across opera and concerts. We discussed his journey of becoming an agent, and James work with young emerging artists in the industry as well. We hope you enjoy! James' links: Website | Twitter Our Links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee

This week on AA Opera we were joined by Louise Bakker - Stage Director. Louise talks about building a career as a director within Opera, the wonderful production of Orpheus in the Underworld at RCM, her work at Aylesbury Opera and the importance of learning and participation within the Industry. This episode also tackles tough topics of life at Conservatoire and arts funding cuts. Tune in and be inspired! Louise's links: Website | Instagram

This week Ash + Avi chatted with Mezzo-Soprano Sophie Dicks. Sophie has been working in the UK opera industry since she was a student at Conservatoire . She has performed with Opera Holland Park, English Touring Opera, Welsh National Opera, and more. Sophie opened up to us about her vocal health journey as well as her newest journey of becoming a mother while continuing to pursue a career onstage. And as she says "everyone else has to just get on board with it." We know you will love Sophie and visits from her daughter Bowie just as much as we do. Enjoy! Sophie's links: Website | Instagram Our Links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee

This week we chat with our dear friend and Soprano Anush Hovhannisyan. Anush is the face of Opera's future and we are delighted to share this episode in which Anush shares her story of her musical childhood in Armenia and how she came to grace the UK Opera scene with her extraordinary voice and stage presence. We also dive deep into conversations about artistic development. Enjoy! Anush's Links: Website | Instagram | Our links: Website | Instagram | Buy us a Coffee

This week we chat with Mezzo-Soprano Kezia Bienek! Kezia is making a name for herself on stages all across the UK. Right now in Madam Butterfly with WNO, you can also catch her in the title role of Carmen this summer at Opera Holland Park and with Opera North later this year... an exciting career alongside being a parent and a trained Birth & Postnatal Doula - say what?!?! Yes - an amazing lady. We admire Kezia so much! It's such a joy to share this episode! Kezia's Links: Website | Instagram | Carmen Tickets Help Ukraine 🇺🇦 Donate Here Support us: www.patreon.com/aaopera Our links: Website | Instagram

This week Ash + Avi got to chat with performer, educator and collaborator, Mikael Eliasen. Mikael has over 30 years of experiences as head of Opera at the Curtis Institue in Philadephia. He also worked closely with San Fransico Opera and has many more years of experience traveling around the world performing recitals. Mikael has a wealth of knowledge and a love for opera, new and old. You don't want to miss this epsiode! Support us: www.patreon.com/aaopera Our links: Website | Instagram Help Ukraine 🇺🇦 Donate Here

We are delighted to have Rebecca Meltzer with us this week! Rebecca has so many creative strings to her bow. A Director, Movement Director, Teacher, Facilitator and Founding Director of Waterperry Opera. Wow...so much to unpack! Hear about Rebecca's journey to her creative career today, starting out at Durham University followed by her studies at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and all of the growth and experiences in between! We have an interesting chat about the importance of Opera & Movement, in short - go to movement class peeps! Also tune in to hear about what Waterperry Opera has in store this summer! Rebecca's Links: Website | Instagram | Waterperry Opera Festival Support us: www.patreon.com/aaopera Our links: Website | Instagram Help Ukraine 🇺🇦 Donate Here

This week Ash + Avi met with the wonderfully talented and intelligent Bridget Cunningham. She is a conductor, harpsichordist and musicologist with a special focus on Handel. You can find her work in so many places including at Buckingham Palace performing for the Royal Family. Bridget shares what she is currently working on and a little bit more of an insight into the world of Handel and his music. With a new album coming out in June you definitely want to keep your eye out on her socials to see what's up next and where you can see Bridget and her London Early Opera family perform. “They are unashamedly intended to please the senses and, in the hands of stylistically informed players they never fail to do so. Bridget Cunningham is just such a player…her ability to entertain unassailable" ★★★★★ Handel’s Eight Great Harpsichord Suites, BBC Music Magazine, January 2022 “Handel has never sounded better” ★★★★★Handel’s Queens 5 Stars, BBC Music Magazine, 2019. "Handel in Italy....reaching for the heavens" Andrew McGregor, BBC Radio 3, Record Review and Editors Pick in Gramophone Magazine. Handel’s Queens available from http://smarturl.it/handelsqueens “Superb album” Classic FM ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BBC Music Magazine This weeks 'Know it All' is brought to you by Ash, and is closely related to this weeks episode. Bridget's Links: Website | Twitter | Instagram London Early Music | LEO Instagram | LEO Twitter Help Ukraine 🇺🇦 Donate Here Support us: www.patreon.com/aaopera Our links: Website | Instagram Hope you enjoy! xxx Love, Ash & Avi