Opera: Stories

Maestro Xu Zhong, RWCMD's International Chair in Opera, renowned conductor and President of the Shanghai Opera House, was invited by the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Royal Welsh College to visit the United Kingdom recently.

Maestro Carlo Rizzi, RWCMD’s International Chair in Conducting, has just been awarded one of Italy’s highest honours for his commitment and contribution to promoting Italian music and culture internationally.

On Saturday 25th February 2023 Sir Bryn Terfel CBE, one of the world’s greatest singers, announced a new foundation with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Congratulations to Edward Kim, the very first RWCMD Sir Geraint Evans centenary scholar.

We welcomed back Errollyn Wallen, artist in residence and one of our newest Honorary Fellows, last term.

Congratulations to Edward Kim on not only winning this year’s Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize, but also winning the heart of his true love.

This year’s Janet Price Opera Prize has been won by first year MA Opera Performance student, Weiying Sim. This year, as well as a cash prize, she also wins a London concert date courtesy of College partner, Opera Rara.

Highlighting the importance of music and its positive impact on our wellbeing, Director of Music Tim Rhys-Evans wrote for Music Teacher magazine about his personal relationship between music and mental health.

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and we’ve teamed up with Student Services Manager, Kate Williams, to give you some key tips, advice and resources about how to take care of your own mental well-being.

Congratulations to soprano Erin Spence, the winner of this year’s Janet Price Opera Prize.

With only a few days to go until The Marriage of Figaro opens at Sherman Theatre, Mica Smith, who plays Figaro, tells us more about the production, their time at RWCMD, and why this is a particularly special production for them as their first performance as a non-binary baritone:

At RWCMD we cherish the value of music-making for our wellbeing and cultural health.

Earlier this month, at an RWCMD Symphony Orchestra celebrating her work, we were delighted to welcome Errollyn Wallen as the College’s artist in residence.

Catching up after a busy summer, we spoke to four members of the Flying Bedroom Theatre Company about touring, trust, collaboration and the future.

From London fashion week to a game of chess, this years socially distanced opera productions demonstrated the creativity of our MA opera directors, as Strings student Rosie Olver reports:

Past and present students of the David Seligman Opera School joined forces with Welsh National Opera and maestro Carlo Rizzi to present an Opera Gala to celebrate the College’s 70th birthday.