Preston Opera was the brain child of local musician and force–of-nature, Frank Salter who gathered together a very small group of singers in 1965, who had a mutual interest in performing opera. Up to that point, opera in Preston had been restricted to visiting touring groups.
Early productions were staged in the Preston Playhouse. In 1976, Preston Opera moved to the Charter Theatre. Our annual performances are now staged at Fulwood Academy. All performances are accompanied by our own, full orchestra – something of a unique selling point.
Membership of this very friendly group of singers has grown extensively since those early days and the Company is always keen to encourage young talented singers as well as members who are happy to help front-of-house, or backstage, in a non-singing role. There’s something for everyone!
Early productions were staged in the Preston Playhouse. In 1976, Preston Opera moved to the Charter Theatre. Our annual performances are now staged at Fulwood Academy. All performances are accompanied by our own, full orchestra – something of a unique selling point.
Membership of this very friendly group of singers has grown extensively since those early days and the Company is always keen to encourage young talented singers as well as members who are happy to help front-of-house, or backstage, in a non-singing role. There’s something for everyone!
Music Director: Helen Harrison
A warm, natural and communicative presence on the podium Helen Harrison inspires exciting and compelling performances from the artists she collaborates with across orchestras, opera companies and choirs.
Helen is the Music Director for the Young Sinfonia, the Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Youth Orchestra. Helen recently made debuts with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducting ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ for BBC Radio 3, Southbank Sinfonia and Northern Silents Sinfonia. Guest conducting includes the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva, Hull Urban Opera Group, Northern Opera Group, Opera Vox and Outreach Opera. Next season includes returns to Sinfonia Viva, a Side by Side concert with Opera North and Leeds Conservatoire and the National Children’s Orchestra.
Recognised as one of the leading conductors in the country for her work with young people Helen relishes training the next generation of musicians conducting the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, Trinity Laban Summer School Orchestra, Leeds Conservatoire and previously the Lancashire Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Born, raised and living in Lancashire Helen is passionate about bringing the transformative power of music to her own community and is proud to be the Music Director for Preston Opera and the award-winning Blackpool Symphony Orchestra.
Educated at a comprehensive school in Blackburn, Helen read Music at Cambridge University and studied Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music. She was a 2022/2023 participant on the flagship programme for Women Conductors run by the Royal Philharmonic Society and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. She has taken part in international Masterclasses run by the Royal Opera House, the Royal Philharmonic Society, the National Opera Studio and the Royal Northern College of Music.
Helen is the Vice Chair for Orchestras Live who work across England connecting communities with world class orchestras and their life changing power.
'Underpinning all this was the orchestra under the capable direction of Helen Harrison. Her crisp beat and decisive intentions inspired confidence from the start.'
Opera Magazine, February 2022
www.helenharrisonconductor.co.uk
President:
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Amanda's storyAmanda, a notable soprano, graduated from the RNCM in 1990. She quickly gained international recognition as one of Britain’s most exciting singers, excelling in opera, concert, and recital performances.
Her achievements include winning The Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award for an operatic debut and a Silver Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians. Notably, she had close associations with prestigious opera houses such as the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Glyndebourne Festival, the English National Opera, the Welsh National Opera, and the Bayerische Staatsoper, where she performed a wide range of leading roles from Handel to Wagner. She also graced stages at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York, Houston, Amsterdam, Berlin, Salzburg, Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris. In 2007, she was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera for her portrayal of Jenufa at ENO, solidifying her reputation as a singing actress. Amanda’s professional career began in 1989 with her recital debut at the Aix-en-Provence Festival and her operatic debut in 1990 as Sophie in “Der Rosenkavalier” with Welsh National Opera. She went on to debut at renowned venues like London’s Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne Festival Opera in 1991, as well as the Bavarian State Opera and the English National Opera in 1993. A documentary titled “Amanda Roocroft: Opera’s Rising Star” showcased her journey from a student to her solo recording debut for EMI Records. Her favorite roles include Fiordiligi in “Cosi fan Tutte,” the Countess in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” Donna Elvira in “Don Giovanni,” Cleopatra in “Giulio Cesare,” Desdemona in “Otello,” and many more. Amanda collaborated with renowned orchestras across Europe and North America, working with esteemed conductors such as Sir Georg Solti, Sir Simon Rattle, and Zubin Mehta. Her recitals took her to prestigious venues around the world, including London’s Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and Lincoln Center in New York. In the latter part of her career, Amanda took on roles such as Ellen Orford in “Peter Grimes,” the Duchess in “Powder Her Face,” Emilia Marty in “The Makropulos Case,” Queen Elizabeth I in “Gloriana,” and the Marschallin in “Der Rosenkavalier.” In June 2022, she performed as Madam Larina in “Eugene Onegin” at Opera Holland Park. In addition to her accomplishments as a performer, Roocroft later turned her attention to teaching and mentoring aspiring singers. She shared her expertise and experience with the next generation of vocalists, helping them develop their talents and navigate the demands of the opera world. Amanda is also a dedicated professor of vocal studies at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. She is passionate about teaching and focuses on developing young singers into well-rounded artists with a strong technique and vivid imagination. Besides her role at RCM, Amanda has conducted masterclasses at various institutions and been a visiting tutor for several programs and festivals, including the Sammling Foundation, Abbingdon summer school, and more. She runs a summer song course with Joseph Middleton in France. Amanda Roocroft’s contributions to opera and vocal education have left a lasting impact on the art form, and she remains a respected figure in the world of classical music. |
Chair and Secretary
Kevin Hesketh
Kevin Hesketh
