Greetings from Belgium!

I am now into my fourth week at the International Opera School in Belgium and it has been a whirlwind so far…

Over the summer I sang Mimi with Opera Holloway which was a huge pleasure – it has been one of my dream roles since I decided to follow this career path, and it felt like a real milestone performing this tragic character. We had 13 performances in total – and unfortunately the last three overlapped with the start of my course in Belgium. This led to some ridiculous commuting in the first two weeks – even  driving through the night on once occasion to get back in time for class after a show.

Somehow everything worked – including a magical 2 days with St Teresa’s School teaching the childrens’ chorus. 80 girls from year 7 joined us onstage, and it was a pleasure to incorporate this element of the work.

Over the past 8 years I have been the main Producer and Education Co-ordinator for Opera Holloway, but with the Belgium move I am taking a step back from the companies administration. I am delighted to say that Opera Holloway is continuing under the management of William Branston and Samuel Oram, both excellent opera singers who have worked with Opera Holloway for the past two years. I remain a trustee of the company, and I hope to perform with them in the future.

Now back to Belgium! I finally have a flat organised (if not much furniture!) and have settled in to something of a routine. Our class schedule is very heavy, and you will find me most days at the studio from 8.30am till 7pm at night. I have to say – I am loving it!

There are 12 singers in the programme and we will study at the Academy for two years. In our first year we have a lot of fundamental training blocks, with classes to learn what the IOA consider to be the pillars of our career and then in the second year far more projects. This year there are of course still performances – this week for example we have a public masterclass with Charlotte Margiono, an inspiring Dutch Soprano.

Last night we had trip to the Ghent Opera House, and watched Don Carlos. Thank goodness there were English subtitles as well as Flemish for the 4 hour performance! It was the first time I had seen the opera in it’s French form, as Verdi wrote three versions in total, 2 in Italian and one in French. The story and pacing worked very well in this version (the ballets had been cut which probably aided this!), but I had mixed feelings about the interpretation.

Now I am off to sing Don Giovani ensembles – I am very excited to start to tackle the role of Donna Anna, though wish Mozart hadn’t given her quite so many high notes!!