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Presenting fully staged grand opera, sung in English

Our new season starts on Thursday 3rd October at Horfield Methodist Church

If you are interested in joining our company then find out more by clicking on the ‘join us’ menu or here:

Bristol Opera is looking for principal singers for its forthcoming production of Macbeth at Redland Hall, Red Maids in the week ending12th April 2025.

This is a fully staged production in costume and will be accompanied by a reduced professional orchestra.

Rehearsals begin in October 2024, with chorus rehearsals held on Thursday evenings. Soloists’ rehearsals will take place on Sunday afternoons by default, likely beginning in December 2024. From January 2025, soloists will need to be able to attend some Thursday evening rehearsals as well, increasingly as we approach the performance period.

Depending on overall availabilities, we may be able to vary the rehearsal scheduling but when you apply, we ask that you note any N/As for the period 1st December – 3rd April, for the following slots:

– Sundays 2-6pm

– Thursdays 6-7.30pm

– Thursdays 7.30-9.50pm

You will need to be available for all the final rehearsals, including Sitzprobe, Technical and Dress Rehearsals as follows:

– Sunday 6th April, morning/early afternoon – Sitzprobe

– Monday 7th April, afternoon/evening – Technical Rehearsal

Tuesday 8th April, evening – Dress Rehearsal

There will be three performances as follows:

  1. EITHER Wednesday 9th April OR Thursday 10th April in the evening TBD. The unused day will be the day off
  2. Friday 11th April in the evening
  3. Saturday 12th April in the evening

The finances of Bristol Opera are dependent on membership subscriptions, payable by all singing members, chorus, and principals alike. In the case of singers actively working in the profession, we invite you to make a donation equivalent to the level of subscription paid by our amateur membership, to support the charitable aims of the company. All donations, including additional donations, are gratefully received. We would never want to exclude anyone from joining the company for financial reasons and so if your circumstances make the subscription unaffordable please get in touch. Bristol Opera does not pay fees or expenses to singers.

The subscription is £18.75 per month (£6.25 pm for students) and you will be asked to pay this for the duration of your time with the company beginning the month you join (or accept a principal role). You can choose to set up a monthly standing order, to pay annually, or to make a one-off payment for a fixed term.

Use this link for all materials from google drive or individually using the links below

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aoeb5vip6TwB2B6j28Fi_YxitGnj8kWj&usp=drive_fs

General Overview of audition pieces to be read by all applicants:

The audition pieces are as follows:

Macbeth – Baritone

Lady Macbeth – Soprano/Mezzo soprano

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth duet

Macduff – Tenor

Malcolm – Tenor

Banquo – Bass

Dama Mezzo soprano– Doctor – Bass

Servant – Bass

Please contact the following if you are interested in applying for one of the roles, or you have any questions. Follow the out of office message, if applicable.

Auditions will take place on:

Sunday 29th September 16:00 to 20:00 at Horfield Methodist Church: 1 Churchways Ave, Bristol BS7 8SN. If you wish to apply for any of the roles please contact the address below and include a brief CV of your experience. Closing dates for applicants is 20th September.

Contact: secretary@bristolopera.co.uk

Bristol Opera is pleased to announce the appointment of Felicity Green as the Company’s Director for our next production. The company will be performing Verdi’s Macbeth at Redland Hall, Red Maids between 10th and 12th April 2025. If you are interested in joining the company for this large scale production then please get in touch with the membership secretary: membership@bristolopera.co.uk

Felicity is a Director and Creative Producer. She trained in theatre (University of Warwick, Central School of Speech and Drama) and primarily focuses on opera. Directing credits include The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, Hansel and Gretel, The Bartered Bride, and La Cenerentola. Semi-staged credits include La traviata and La bohème. Felicity is also an arts fundraiser, having raised nearly £5 Million for creative causes. 

As Founder and Artistic Director of HighTime, she established a mid-scale opera company who were appointed artists in residence at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. The company produced vivid and captivating interpretations of opera performed by exceptional artists, whilst connecting deeply with the local community to provide operatic experiences for those who may never have engaged with the artform before.  

HighTime developed a pioneering approach to opera translation, creating a writers’ room with artists from a wide range of disciplines, championing the diversity of opera creatives’ skills and experiences. Around 65% of audiences for their work were not regular opera attendees. They initiated the first relaxed performance at the Belgrade Theatre and collaborated with Mind to provide supportive theatre visits for those experiencing mental health issues. The company delivered opera workshops to 2,000 children and young people from across the region.

Recently, Felicity has focused on new approaches to opera. She co-wrote and directed an opera-cabaret with drag queen Davida Loca, performed in unconventional spaces including the Shoreditch Treehouse and Brunel Museum. As Creative Producer and Director, she is developing a new work for voice and orchestra based on the testimonies of medical workers’ experiences of crisis. The project brings together musicians and medics, asking questions about the unique pressures facing the workforce, and exploring where this fits in the wider context of medical history.