Music Director: Helen Harrison
'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
A warm, natural and communicative presence on the podium British conductor Helen Harrison inspires exciting and compelling performances from the artists she collaborates with from orchestras, opera companies and choirs.
Helen is the Music Director and Conductor for the Young Sinfonia, the Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Youth Orchestra at the Sage Gateshead, Preston Opera, the award-winning Blackpool Symphony Orchestra and Lytham Choral Society. She is a participant on the 2022/23 Royal Philharmonic Society's prestigious programme for women conductors in partnership with the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Guest conducting engagements include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Sinfonia Viva, Northern Opera Group, Leeds Conservatoire Chamber Orchestra, Outreach Opera and Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra.
Helen read Music at Cambridge University and studied Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Most recently Helen participated in a Masterclass run by the Royal Opera House conducting artists from the Royal Opera House and the City of London Sinfonia. She was selected as a participant in the inaugural Women Conductors Course for Opera run by the Royal Opera House, the Royal Philharmonic Society and the National Opera Studio and has subsequently taken part in a range of courses run by the Royal Opera House working with Sian Edwards, Alice Farnham and Jessica Cottis. Helen has also conducted in International Masterclasses held at the RNCM.
A passionate believer in the power of classical music to change lives, Helen is a board member for Orchestras Live, and chairs the Finance Committee. Orchestras Live believe orchestras are for everyone and that live orchestral music has the power to inspire people for a lifetime. Working across England, Orchestras Live connect communities with world class orchestral experiences delivered by renowned professional orchestras.
Helen has established a reputation as an engaging communicator and is a skilled presenter and compere of concerts. Off the concert platform, she is an experienced panellist both as a host and a guest for live and online events; most recently she appeared on a panel for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the Women’s Euros 2022 cultural events. Helen is a regular podcast contributor to Operacast.
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