Opera Gold

Opera Gold is a university based opera company attached to the large music department of Goldsmiths College, University of London, New Cross, London, UK. It draws its casts from the solo trained singing students of Nan Christie both past and present. Singers from outside i.e. Trinity, R.C.M. or R.A.M. are occasionally also invited to take part. The orchestra is generated from the University Sinfonia created and directed by Tim Hooper. There has been one collaborative production (2007) with Greenwich Meantime Opera and Greenwich Theatre.

Opera Gold was formed in 2004 by classical singing teacher Nan Christie, who directs and produces with student specialists (from Drama or Art). Opera Gold was formed to give the singing students something to 'work towards' as concerts staged by the department were instrumental or choral/instrumental with soloists being externally hired. Opera Gold reversed this trend and is now preparing its 12th original language production. The 2014 production was the first repeat in Opera Gold's history Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with more extensive original dialogue. It is part of the philosophy of Opera Gold to produce opera in original languages to prepare the singers for the vocal parts and really engage with the works and their full vocal demands. This philosophy has enabled many singers to go on to work for Opera Houses abroad without too much difficulty.

The company has also staged productions of John Blow's Venus and Adonis (2004); Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas (2005); Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (2006); Bizet's Carmen (2007); Britten's Peter Grimes (2008); Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro (2009); Verdi's Rigoletto (2010); Puccini's La Bohème (2011); Verdi's La Traviata (2012); Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream (2013) and a reprise of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (2014).

The 2015 production will be Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus with a guest conductor.

Distinguished singers and artists who have sung/conducted with Opera Gold include: Mario Sofrounou and Miguel Esteban.

Opera Gold website

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