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New Partnership for RNCM and Opera North


The RNCM and Opera North, England’s national opera company based in Leeds, are delighted to announce a new partnership aimed at nurturing and inspiring young musical talent in the North.

The partnership, which officially launches on Wednesday 29 February, will provide exciting professional development opportunities for RNCM student singers, composers and instrumentalists at Opera North as they prepare for their future. In addition to raising awareness of the many career paths available to students, the partnership will offer hands-on experience of auditions and mentoring from singers working at Opera North. Students will also benefit from opportunities to engage with the breadth of Opera North’s programming; from mainstage operas to  more eclectic and contemporary work presented in the Howard Assembly Room. 

In turn, Opera North will have a base in Manchester from which to explore and develop its artistic programming and outreach work, giving both partners the opportunity to work together artistically outside their own boundaries.

Opera North has been working on an informal basis with the RNCM over the last three decades, regularly hearing students recommended by vocal department, but the formal partnership will now allow for tailored and more structured programmes to be created for individual students.

Richard Mantle, General Director, Opera North, comments: ‘Opera North has enjoyed a long association with the RNCM and many of its alumni appear regularly with the Company.  This new partnership takes our relationship to a new level and one which will bind the two organisations together in a way which will strengthen us both as we collaborate to develop talent, professionalism and creativity in the world of opera and music.'

Lynne Dawson, the RNCM’s Head of Vocal Studies who previously sang with Opera North, adds:'I'm really delighted that we shall work with Opera North; this collaboration will present a wonderful opportunity for our young singers to have contact with the real world. We're hugely looking forward to working together.'

Caroline Clegg, freelance director, academic and Director of Manchester-based Feelgood Theatre Productions, has been instrumental in developing this partnership and will be based at the RNCM one day a week for the next six months to set up the framework for the programme. Caroline previously taught in the RNCM opera department from 1992-1997 and has directed a number of operas for Opera North. She has also worked with Welsh National Opera and English National Opera and brings a wealth of experience to the organisations as she continues to work in the profession.

As part of the partnership, the RNCM will work closely with DARE, Opera North's ground-breaking collaboration with the University of Leeds.  This unique initiative will probe new ways of thinking about excellence in learning, performance and academic study.

For more information and images email Liz Rowley, PR and Media Relations Officer, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 0161 907 5369.

Alternatively, Opera North contacts are:

Hannah Stockton, Press & PR Assistant
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 0113 223 3528

Julia Gregg, Press Officer
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 0113 223 3522

Lindsey Porter, Press & PR Manager
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 0113 223 3526

Picture caption, from left to right: Martin Pickard (Head of Music, Opera North), Professor Jonty Stockdale (RNCM Principal), Harry Lyons (Lord Mayor of Manchester), Kathryn Rudge (RNCM alumna), Richard Mantle (General Director of Opera North), Ann Taylor (RNCM alumna) and Stefan Janski (RNCM Head of Opera).