Resonate: April 2022
Welcome to our April edition of Resonate!
While our students take a well-deserved break over the next few weeks, we’ve still got plenty of news and stories from across our community to share, including 5-star reviews and an exciting new commission.
The recent inaugural Williams-Howard Prize at the RNCM saw an afternoon of wonderful performances from each of the 10 finalists. Find out more about the prize, and the winners, on our website.
Two alumni stepped into major roles at short notice in March, with baritones Aidan Edwards as Tsar Dodon in English Touring Opera’s The Golden Cockerel in Buxton and Aaron O’Hare playing the title role in Welsh National Opera’s Don Giovanni in Bristol.
You can catch alumnus John Ieuan Jones in a bold new staging of The Corn is Green at the National Theatre from 7 April.
March at the RNCM
After four fantastic performances, there’s one last chance to catch our Spring opera Le nozze di Figaro tomorrow afternoon, Sat 2 Apr.
Our students return after their Easter break with two Thursday Lunchtime concerts on Thu 28 Apr (part of RNCM Lab Week) and Thu 5 May (RNCM Harps), before our assessment period begins.
Students from our School of Keyboard Studies present an eclectic programme of contemporary works for piano in our free Spotlight concert on Wed 4 May, prior to our RNCM Brand New Orchestra concert that evening – more on that below!
Our annual Children’s Opera sees 150 children from four local schools performing alongside over 70 RNCM students on Thu 5 May (matinee and evening performances) in a fully-staged new production, The Secret Garden, written by the children and composer Kate Pearson.
In Focus: Anna Thorvaldsdottir
Find out more
We’re thrilled to welcome Icelandic composer Anna Thor Thorvaldsdottir to Manchester for a retrospective look at her work.
Renowned for creating music that translates the ecosystems of nature into orchestral soundscapes, Anna’s distinctive voice has led to commissions from some of the world’s leading orchestras. Her 2021 string quartet Enigma was a New York Times recording of the year.
Wed 4 May // RNCM Brand New Orchestra
Our innovative Brand New Orchestra perform Anna’s Dreaming, alongside new works by RNCM composers.
Thu 5 May // Chamber Works + In Conversation with Elizabeth Alker
Anna chats to BBC Radio 3’s Elizabeth Alker about her life and work, plus performances of her chamber works by RNCM students.
Fri 6 May // RNCM New Ensemble
Our celebration draws to a close, with highlights including Spectra.
Peter Grimes at the Royal Opera House
RNCM Alumni Receive 5-Star Reviews
Find out more
The Royal Opera’s recent production of Britten’s Peter Grimes has received a host of 5-star reviews, including The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph.
We’re proud that such a stellar production featured so many RNCM alumni, including Jennifer France, Alexandra Lowe, Stephen Richardson, Eugene Dillon Hooper, Vanessa Woodfine, Felicity Buckland, Maria Jones and RNCM President Sir John Tomlinson CBE.
The production was conducted by RNCM International Chair in Conducting, Sir Mark Elder CH CBE.
Read more responses to the production over on the ROH website.
Keelan Carew
Alumnus makes BBC Radio 3 debut
Listen now
Pianist and alumnus Keelan Carew made his debut presenting on BBC Radio 3 earlier this week, premiering his Sounds Connected series.
In the first episode, Keelan finds the unlikely connections between five pieces throughout musical history. What links jazz from the roaring 20s, a fiendishly difficult Rachmaninov piano concerto and the score to the new Batman movie? Keelan has the answers!
Keelan said: ‘I think music is universal, but each of us discovers it through our own special circumstances, so Sounds Connected is a little insight into my path.’
Listen now on BBC Sounds.
Dylan Edge
Queer Composers at the Whitworth
RNCM violinist Dylan Edge presented an afternoon celebrating the work of Queer composers at the Whitworth recently.
In collaboration with Queering the Whitworth, Dylan enlisted the talents of RNCM musicians to perform works by the likes of Ethyl Smyth in the gallery’s spaces.
Dylan said: ‘Presenting an afternoon of queer composers at the Whitworth Art Gallery was something way out of my comfort zone but also something I was very passionate about. The event was a huge success.’
To see our full album of photos from the event, click here.
Credit: Anna Maggy
Anna Appleby
New Score for The Tin Man
Find out more
Composer and RNCM alumna Anna Appleby was recently commissioned to write a new score for Joss Arnott Dance’s magical new retelling of the Tin Man’s journey to finding their heart.
With Anna’s new score performed by Manchester-based new music ensemble Psappha, the production premiered at The Lowry in March and tours to Bournemouth, Newcastle and Leeds over the next few months. Full details can be found here.
You can listen to some of Anna’s previous work on YouTube.
Name a Seat
Our Opera run might be drawing to a close, but did you know you can make a lasting mark by naming a seat in our Theatre?
Whether you’re celebrating a special memory, commemorating a significant moment, or treating the music lover in your life, naming a seat is the perfect way to leave a lasting mark on the College.
Seat naming starts from £400, and your donation will play a vital role in supporting our students through the most crucial stage of their training.
Visit our website for further details.
31 March 2022
