Die Fledermaus Double at WMC
This Spring the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, is hosting two
productions of Die Fledermaus: Welsh National Opera (WNO)
is performing a traditional version, directed by John Copley, with
established singers, followed by the Royal Welsh College of Music
& Drama’s up-to-date interpretation featuring the stars of
tomorrow, and directed by Martin Constantine.
This is the first production from RWCMD’S MA Opera Performance course which started last
September.
Angela Livingstone, Head of Opera, Vocal
Performance and Choral Conducting, said, “This is a
fabulous opportunity for our students, who already gain a huge
amount from our co-operative relationship
with WNO.
The students have been fortunate to observe the WNO production of
Die Fledermaus over an extended period, accessing studio
and stage rehearsals, shadowing principals in their rehearsal
process as well as benefitting from individual coaching with music
staff and a master class in the specific dance skills with
choreographer
Stuart Hopps. By attending rehearsals on a daily basis, they
have gained valuable insight into the way a professional opera
company works and this will undoubtedly inform and inspire them in
their preparation of our own production.”
Students have also had the chance to work on dialogue and spoken
voice with Eric Roberts, a vocal teacher at the college, and a WNO
veteran who will be Bartolo in the WNO production of The Barber of
Seville later this year (he has done over 100 performances, as
Bartolo for WNO alone). He is Associate Director on the RWCMD
production.