From Page to Stage: Literary Masterpieces in Operas
Helen Astrid
- Region:
- Anywhere
- Notice Period:
- Regular (more than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid
- Category:
- Entertainment
- Updated:
- 20th August 2025
- Tagged:
- Opera | Literature | Books | Entertainment
For centuries, great books, poems, and plays have served as powerful muses for librettists and composers, transforming timeless stories into unforgettable music. In this captivating talk, opera singer Helen Astrid explores how literary giants such as Myfanwy Piper, Pushkin, Tolstoy, Guy de Maupassant, the Brothers Grimm and others have shaped the operatic repertoire.
With a rich blend of recorded music, striking visuals, and personal anecdotes, Helen reveals how written words are masterfully reimagined into operatic form. This engaging and illuminating session invites you to deepen your appreciation of opera and discover the magic behind turning text into music.
Review: “Thank you for delivering such a superb talk to our members. As expected, we've had fantastic feedback” Community Together, Lee Bates.
Views: 1156 | Enquiries: 2About Helen Astrid
Helen is an engaging and entertaining speaker and is an accredited Great British Speaker.
She graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, and performed as a soprano soloist at most of the major venues in the UK including English National Opera, Linbury Theatre Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Garsington Opera and Chelsea Opera at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank.
Appearing on television and radio such as BBC World News, The Paul O'Grady Show, Broadcasting House and BBC's Ask the Experts Helen' s Ted Talk Tell me the truth about Opera has been viewed by 1000s. She is thrilled to be speaking at the V&A in Spring 2026 on Art in Opera.
Previous speaking engagements have been for Courtauld Institute of Art, London, Cambridge University, Plymouth University, Marlborough College, Imperial College, Benslow Music and Bishopsgate Institute.
Helen lives in South-West London and enjoys German Expressionist art, architecture, travelling and tennis. She relaxes with her cat Riesi on her lap and snuggling-up with a book and glass of Burgundy!
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