When Art Sings: Paintings in Opera
Helen Astrid
- Region:
- Anywhere
- Notice Period:
- Regular (more than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 4th October 2024
- Tagged:
- Art | Paintings | Singing | Opera Performances
Helen takes us on voyage of discovery to examine how great artists and their paintings have inspired opera productions here in the UK by creating intriguing and sensory experiences for audiences. This talk was recently given at The Courtauld Institute of Art, London.
Helen has in mind particularly works by Bruegel, Seurat, and Hogarth among other such painters and designers. Great works of art such as “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” was a source of inspiration for Jonathan Miller’s production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale at the Royal Opera House in 2004. Equally, Bruegel's “Peasant Wedding” influenced David McVicar’s production of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at Glyndebourne Festival in 2011. The recent production of Verdi's Rigoletto at the Royal Opera House recreated a montage of Caravaggio's "Martyrdom of St Matthew" followed by a Titian nude on the Duke of Mantua's wall: why directors are drawn to create a visual spectacle where music and image are inextricably fused is explored in this fascinating lecture.
Views: 566 | Enquiries: 2About Helen Astrid
My talks are available in-person or online. If you have been let down by someone, I'm happy to step-in at short notice!
After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, I 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.
I appear on television and radio regularly including BBC World News, The Paul O'Grady Show and my Ted Talk Tell me the truth about Opera has been viewed by 1000s. I give talks on the history of opera for Courtauld Institute of Art, Cambridge University, Marlborough College, Imperial College, Benslow Music and the Bishopsgate Institute plus various groups around the UK. It gives me great pleasure to share my expertise in opera and to spread the wonders of this magnificent art form.
I'm an award-winning entrepreneur and opera singer. My time is devoted between running team-building singing sessions (Corporate Singing Workshops) for businesses, conducting choirs and giving talks.
I produced the UK premiere of The Juniper Tree by Philip Glass, which received outstanding international reviews with coverage on BBC R4, R3 and Classic FM. My book Singing Tips at your Fingertips described by Gary Lachman (The Guardian) as “the place to find the singer within” contains 365 singing tips to help you find your voice. It's available from AMAZON in Paperback, Kindle and Audible.
Residing in South-West London near the Thames, I enjoy art, architecture and travelling. How do I relax? If I'm lucky, my cat will sit on my lap and I can snuggle-up with a book and cup of tea.
Please don't hesitate to contact me for any further details.
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