PAST PERFORMANCES!
The Woodman - Shield
William Shield's hilarious and poignant opera performed by artists from Rocket Opera including Andri Bjorn Robertson, Austin Gunn, Rachel Dyson, Elizabeth Nicholson, Alexandra Hayes, Katie Oswell, Neil Turnbull, Kath Ireland, and Victoria Price with the William Shield Festival Orchestra.
2023
Recital
Lunchtime Recital with William Shield & Friends
Emily Higgins, Heather Jill Burns, and Austin Gunn perform songs and arias by Shield, Handel, Mozart, Caccini and more accompanied at the piano and harpsichord by John Treherne MBE
Friday 15th October 2021
Opera
The Poor Soldier - Shield
Written in 1783 The Poor Soldier is a pasticcio opera comedy about Irish soldiers returning home after fighting for the British Army in the American War of Independence. The performance is part of the William Shield Festival 2021.
Cast includes Rachel Dyson, Austin Gunn, Elizabeth Nicholson
Performances Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th October 2021
Opera
Love Juice - Donizetti (Postponed)
A miracle elixir to help you recover from lockdown, or wallow in it! Stay tuned for details of performances
Nemorino - Austin Gunn
Adina - Rachel Dyson
Belcore - Andri Björn Robertssôn
Dr Sweetnsour - Graeme Danby
Gianetta - Elizabeth Nicholson
concerts
William Shield(ing) Recitals
Between December 2020 and August 2021 Rocket Opera artists Andri Björn Ròbertsson, Elizabeth Nicholson and Austin Gunn perform open air recitals for retirement homes, rehabilitation centres and care homes in Gateshead and Middlesborough.
Opera
Sullivan The Pirates of Penzance
Berwick Festival Opera
Rocket Opera & The Maltings Theatre production
Cast & Creatives
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra, Conductor - Stephen Higgins
Major-General Stanley - Phil Gault
The Pirate King - Tom Asher
Samuel - Jacob Robson
Frederic - Austin Gunn
Sergeant of Police - Graeme Danby
Mabel - Rachel Dyson
Edith - Fae Evelyn
Kate - Lizzie Nicholson
Isabel - Tamsin Davidson
Ruth - Valerie Reid
Ensemble: Laura Weldon, Jane Burnell, Alex Akhurst, Chris Elliott, Adam Brown, Ben Noble
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September
William Shield - Robin Hood, Rosina & The Farmer Highlights
William Shield Festival c. John Treherne
Cast & Creatives
Lizzie Nicholson - Soprano
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Kath Ireland - Mezzo
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Baritone
Bizet Carmen Highlights
Berwick Festival Opera
Rocket Opera & The Maltings Theatre production
Cast & Creatives
Carmen - Tamsin Davidson
Don Jose - Austin Gunn
Micaela - Rachel Dyson
Escamillo - Themba Mvula
Piano - Jonathan Drummond
Narator - Euan McIver
Friday 15th & Saturday 16th November 2019
HMS Pinafore, Sullivan
Berwick Festival Opera
August 2018
Cast & Creatives:
Dick Deadeye - Graeme Danby. Buttercup - Valerie Reid
Corcoran - Phil Gault. Rackstraw - Austin Gunn
Becket - Tom Asher. Bobstay - Jacob Robson
Josephine - Fae Evelyn. Hebe - Lizzie Nicholson
Ensemble - Niamh Carr, Jane Burnell, Rosie Kat, kath Ireland, Zachary Kleanthous, Rhys Rodrigues
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra, conductor - Peter Ford
Rinaldo - Handel
July 2018 William Shield Festival
Cast & Creatives:
Rinaldo - Charlotte Yandell. Goffredo - Kath Ireland
Almirena - Niamh Carr. Armida - Rosie Kat. Argante - Tamsin Davidson.
Araldo - Tom Asher
Piano - John Treherne
Harpsichord - Austin Gunn
The Farmer by William Shield
July 2018 William Shield Festival
Cast & Creatives:
Niamh Carr, Rosie Kat, Lizzie Nicholson, Tamsin Davidson,
Kath Ireland, Austin Gunn, Chris Elliott, Tom Asher
William Shield Festival Orchestra conducted by John Treherne
Rita by Donizetti
Berwick Festival Opera
February 2018
Cast & Creatives:
Rita - Natasha Day
Beppe - Austin Gunn
Gasparo - Job Tome
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor - Peter Ford
Cox & Box
Berwick Festival Opera
November 2017
Cast & Creatives:
Bouncer - Chris Jacklin
Cox - Phil Gault
Box - Austin Gunn
Piano - Gina Baker
Don Giovanni
Berwick Festival Opera
August 2017
Cast & Creatives:
Leporello - Thema Mvula. Don Giovanni - Phil Gault
Donna Anna - Rachel Dyson. Commendatore - Graeme Danby
Don Ottavio - Austin Gunn. Donna Elvira - Laura Wolk Lewanowicz
Zerlina - Katie Oswell. Masetto - David Cane
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor - Peter Ford
Rosina by William Shield
July 2017
Cast & Creatives:
Rosina - Katie Oswell
Mr Belville - Chris Elliott
Cast Belville - Austin Gunn
Rustic - Sam Morrison
Phoebe - Rosie Kat
William Shield Festival Orchestra conducted by John Treherne
Iolanthe
Berwick Festival Opera
June 2016
Cast & Creatives:
Lord Chancellor - Fred Broom. Iolanthe - Tamsin Davidson
Queen of the Fairies - Kath Ireland. Tolloller - Austin Gunn
Mountarrarat - Neil Turnbull. Phyllis - Lottie Greenhow
Strephon - Euan Williamson. Private Willis - Sam Morrison
Leila - Elle Stevens. Fleta - Charlotte Yandell
Ensemble - Niamh Carr, Jolanda Gripstra, Anna Marmion, Georgia Schneider,
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra, Conductor - Monica Buckland
Stephen Montague's John Cage Dinner Party
Dinner Party challenges traditional notions of what constitutes “music”. The “diners” chatter and hum, rattle their cutlery, tap the table and play their wine glasses, break into songs and arias along the way. The dinner party may seem random, but is based on a “menu” of options and time frames, and a performance created through chance operations.
University of Hull
Friday 2nd December 2016
Cast & Creatives includes:
Students from the University of Hull
Guest - Katie Oswell
Producer/Guest - Austin Gunn
The Vampyr by Heinrich Marschner
Saturday October 29th 2016
Venue: Guildhall, Berwick
Cast & Creatives includes:
Michael Bawtree - Conductor
RNCM String Ensemble
Laura Wolk-Lewanowicz - Malwina
Katie Oswell - Janthe
Tamsin Davidson - Emmy
Kath Ireland - Satan
Austin Gunn - Aubry
Victor Sgarbi - Ruthven
Julian Debruiel - Davenaut
David Cane - Baritone
La Scala di Seta
1st & 2nd August 2015 Berwick Festival Opera
Giulia:Ines Simoes
Lucilla:Tamsin Davidson
Dorvil:Laura Wolk Lewanowicz
Dormont:Austin Gunn
Blansac:Christopher Jacklin
Germano:Phil Gault
Un Altra Servitore:Katie Oswell
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor:Stephen Higgins
The Mikado
June 2015 Berwick Festival Opera
Yum-Yum:Rachel Dyson
Pitti-Sing:Heather Jill Burns
Peep-Bo:Tamsin Davidson
Katisha:Kath Ireland
Ko-Ko:Lawrence Neale
Pooh-Bah:Fred Broom
Pish-Tush:Will Ford
The Mikado:Neil Turnbull
Nanki-Poo:Austin Gunn
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor:Peter Ford
Purcell - Dido & Aeneas
Dido - Heather Jill Burns
Belinda - Rachel Dyson
Sorceress - Tamsin Davidson
Lady/Witch - Anna Marmion
Lady/Witch - Katie Oswell
Aeneas - Austin Gunn
Spirit - Niamh Carr
Sailor - Paul Smith
Rocket Opera Ensemble - Kath Ireland, Neil Turnbull, Jacob Robson
Sax Ecosse
Conductor/Continuo - Nicholas Butters
18th July 2014 Berwick Guildhall 7.30pm
Pirates of Penzance
Samuel - Jacob Robson
Frederic - Austin Gunn
Pirate King - Neil Turnbull
Ruth - Kath Ireland
Edith - Heather Jill Burns
Kate - Katie Oswell
Isabel - Anna Marmion
Mabel - Rachel Dyson
Florence - Niamh Carr
Major General - Christopher Jacklyn
Chief of Police - Richard Gooding
BFO Orchestra
Conductor - Nicholas Butters
Sunday 20th July 2014 2pm and 7.30pm Berwick Guildhall
Bizet's Carmen
The Sage Gateshead
Wed 13th March - Sage Gateshead
Carmen - Heather Jill Burns
Dancairo - Jacob Robson
Don Jose - Austin Gunn
Escamillo - Neil Turnbull
Frasquita - Katie Oswell
Michaela - Rachel Dyson
Mercedes - Sophie Dalrymple
Remendado - Alex Banfield
Child - Niamh Carr
Chorus: The Sage Gateshead Community Opera Chorus
Conductor: Richard Gooding
The Great Boxing Booth Revival!
Marcellina and Susanna spar with each other in an exchange of polite insults that decent into below the belt remarks
Marcellina - Heather Jill Burns
Susanna - Rachel Dyson
Aug 4th - Powburn Show, Aug 11th - Sedgefield Show, Aug 18th - Allendale Show, Aug 25th - Bellingham Show, Sept 8th - Stanhope Show, Sept 15th - Egremont Crab Festival, Sept 22nd - Hexham Show
Montague - John Cage Dinner Party
Stephen Montague's wonderful work inspired by the life and work of his friend and colleague John Cage and in celebration of his 100th Birthday.
September 5th - The Sage Gateshead, Foyer
ALL EVENTS
PERFORMANCE
Opera a Tavola, Newcastle Carluccio's
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Andri Bjorn Robertsson - Bass
Jenny Williams - Piano
Performances in 2019
PERFORMANCE
North East Trust for Aphasia
Love to Sing - Music by Bellini, Puccini & Verdi
Niamh Carr - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Gosforth Civic Theatre
Friday 15th February 2019
MASTERCLASS
Gilbert & Sullivan Masterclass
with New D'Oyly Carte Opera Company founder member Jeremy Peaker
Newcastle/Gateshead
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th March 2019
PERFORMANCE
Chilcott Passion & Rutter Feel the Spirit
Pontefract Choral Society & St Matthew's Orchestra c. Aljosa Skorja
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Jane Burnell Soprano
Katie Beardsworth Alto
David Brown - Tenor
Adam Brown - Baritone
Pontefract Church
Saturday 23rd March 2019
PERFORMANCE
Goodall Eternal Light Requiem
Tynemouth Choral Society c. Peter Coulson
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Euan Williamson - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Baritone
St Augustine's North Shields
Saturday 23rd March 2019
PERFORMANCE
Goodall Eternal Light Requiem
Scunthorpe & District Choral Society c. Susan Hollingworth
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Heather Jill Burns - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Baritone
The House, Scunthorpe
Saturday 13th April 2019
PERFORMANCE
Handel Messiah
St Matthew's Choir & Orchestra c. Aljosa Skorja
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Heather Jill Burns - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
David Cane - Baritone
St Matthew's Chapel Allerton, Leeds
Sunday 5th May 2019
PERFORMANCE
Tippet A Child of Our Time
Hexham Orpheus Choir c. Mark Edwards
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Valerie Reid - Mezzo
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Graeme Danby - Bass
Hexham Abbey
Saturday 11th May 2019
PERFORMANCE
Opera a Tavola, Newcastle Carluccio's
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Baritone
Andrew Soulsby - Piano
PERFORMANCE
Haydn Missa in tempore belli (Paukenmesse)
St Matthew's Choir & Orchestra c. Aljosa Skorja
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Kath Ireland - Alto
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Bass
Sunday 21st July 2019
MASTERCLASS
Masterclass with international opera conductor and Melofonetica coach Peter Ford.
Polish your roles and prepare your audition repertoire for the season ahead with one of the finest coaches in the UK.
For more details and to register please email
August 2019
PERFORMANCE
Opera a Tavola, Newcastle Carluccio's
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Niamh Carr - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Timothy Burke - Piano
PERFORMANCE
Sullivan The Pirates of Penzance
Berwick Festival Opera
Rocket Opera & The Maltings Theatre production
Cast & Creatives
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra, Conductor - Stephen Higgins
Major-General Stanley - Phil Gault
The Pirate King - Tom Asher
Samuel - Jacob Robson
Frederic - Austin Gunn
Sergeant of Police - Graeme Danby
Mabel - Rachel Dyson
Edith - Fae Evelyn
Kate - Lizzie Nicholson
Isabel - Tamsin Davidson
Ruth - Valerie Reid
Ensemble: Laura Weldon, Jane Burnell, Alex Akhurst, Chris Elliott, Adam Brown, Ben Noble
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September
MASTERCLASS
Oratorio masterclass with international singer & teacher Austin Gunn
Polish your oratorio repertoire for the coming season
For more details and to register please email
September 2019
PERFORMANCE
William Shield - Robin Hood, Rosina & The Farmer Highlights
William Shield Festival c. John Treherne
Cast & Creatives
Lizzie Nicholson - Soprano
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Kath Ireland - Mezzo
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Baritone
PERFORMANCE
Coronation Mass, Mozart
Pontefract Choral Society
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Kath Ireland - Mezzo
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Bass
Aljosa Skorja - Conductor
PERFORMANCE
Bizet Carmen Nights
Berwick Festival Opera
Rocket Opera & The Maltings Theatre production
Cast & Creatives
Carmen - Tamsin Davidson
Don Jose - Austin Gunn
Micaela - Rachel Dyson
Escamillo - Themba Mvula
Piano - Jonathan Drummond
Narator - Euan McIver
Friday 15th & Saturday 16th November 2019
PERFORMANCE
Handel Messiah
Darlington Choral Society
Soprano - Ruth Jenkins
Alto - Valerie Reid
Tenor - Austin Gunn
Bass - Andri Bjorn Robertsson
PERFORMANCE
Opera a Tavola, Newcastle Carluccio's
Niamh Carr - Soprano
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Jenny Williams - Piano
PERFORMANCE
North East Trust for Aphasia
Love to Sing - Music by Bellini, Puccini & Verdi
Niamh Carr - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Gosforth Civic Theatre
Friday 15th February 2019
MASTERCLASS
Gilbert & Sullivan Masterclass
with New D'Oyly Carte Opera Company founder member Jeremy Peaker
Newcastle/Gateshead
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th March 2019
PERFORMANCE
Chilcott Passion & Rutter Feel the Spirit
Pontefract Choral Society & St Matthew's Orchestra c. Aljosa Skorja
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Jane Burnell Soprano
Katie Beardsworth Alto
David Brown - Tenor
Adam Brown - Baritone
Pontefract Church
Saturday 23rd March 2019
PERFORMANCE
Goodall Eternal Light Requiem
Tynemouth Choral Society c. Peter Coulson
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Euan Williamson - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Baritone
St Augustine's North Shields
Saturday 23rd March 2019
PERFORMANCE
Goodall Eternal Light Requiem
Scunthorpe & District Choral Society c. Susan Hollingworth
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Heather Jill Burns - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Baritone
The House, Scunthorpe
Saturday 13th April 2019
PERFORMANCE
Handel Messiah
St Matthew's Choir & Orchestra c. Aljosa Skorja
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Heather Jill Burns - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
David Cane - Baritone
St Matthew's Chapel Allerton, Leeds
Sunday 5th May 2019
PERFORMANCE
Tippet A Child of Our Time
Hexham Orpheus Choir c. Mark Edwards
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Valerie Reid - Mezzo
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Graeme Danby - Bass
Hexham Abbey
Saturday 11th May 2019
PERFORMANCE
Opera a Tavola, Newcastle Carluccio's
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Baritone
Andrew Soulsby - Piano
PERFORMANCE
Haydn Missa in tempore belli (Paukenmesse)
St Matthew's Choir & Orchestra c. Aljosa Skorja
Soloists from Rocket Opera
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Kath Ireland - Alto
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Bass
Sunday 21st July 2019
MASTERCLASS
Masterclass with international opera conductor and Melofonetica coach Peter Ford.
Polish your roles and prepare your audition repertoire for the season ahead with one of the finest coaches in the UK.
For more details and to register please email
August 2019
PERFORMANCE
Opera a Tavola, Newcastle Carluccio's
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Niamh Carr - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Timothy Burke - Piano
PERFORMANCE
Sullivan The Pirates of Penzance
Berwick Festival Opera
Rocket Opera & The Maltings Theatre production
Cast & Creatives
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra, Conductor - Stephen Higgins
Major-General Stanley - Phil Gault
The Pirate King - Tom Asher
Samuel - Jacob Robson
Frederic - Austin Gunn
Sergeant of Police - Graeme Danby
Mabel - Rachel Dyson
Edith - Fae Evelyn
Kate - Lizzie Nicholson
Isabel - Tamsin Davidson
Ruth - Valerie Reid
Ensemble: Laura Weldon, Jane Burnell, Alex Akhurst, Chris Elliott, Adam Brown, Ben Noble
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September
MASTERCLASS
Oratorio masterclass with international singer & teacher Austin Gunn
Polish your oratorio repertoire for the coming season
For more details and to register please email
September 2019
PERFORMANCE
William Shield - Robin Hood, Rosina & The Farmer Highlights
William Shield Festival c. John Treherne
Cast & Creatives
Lizzie Nicholson - Soprano
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Kath Ireland - Mezzo
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Baritone
PERFORMANCE
Coronation Mass, Mozart
Pontefract Choral Society
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Kath Ireland - Mezzo
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Neil Turnbull - Bass
Aljosa Skorja - Conductor
PERFORMANCE
Bizet Carmen Nights
Berwick Festival Opera
Rocket Opera & The Maltings Theatre production
Cast & Creatives
Carmen - Tamsin Davidson
Don Jose - Austin Gunn
Micaela - Rachel Dyson
Escamillo - Themba Mvula
Piano - Jonathan Drummond
Narator - Euan McIver
Friday 15th & Saturday 16th November 2019
PERFORMANCE
Handel Messiah
Darlington Choral Society
Soprano - Ruth Jenkins
Alto - Valerie Reid
Tenor - Austin Gunn
Bass - Andri Bjorn Robertsson
PERFORMANCE
Opera a Tavola, Newcastle Carluccio's
Niamh Carr - Soprano
Rachel Dyson - Soprano
Austin Gunn - Tenor
Jenny Williams - Piano
Rocket Opera & The Maltings Theatre present HMS Pinafore for Berwick Festival Opera
August 2018
Cast & Creatives:
Dick Deadeye - Graeme Danby. Buttercup - Valerie Reid
Corcoran - Phil Gault. Rackstraw - Austin Gunn
Becket - Tom Asher. Bobstay - Jacob Robson
Josephine - Fae Evelyn. Hebe - Lizzie Nicholson
Ensemble - Niamh Carr, Jane Burnell, Rosie Kat, kath Ireland, Zachary Kleanthous, Rhys Rodrigues
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra, conductor - Peter Ford
August 2018
Cast & Creatives:
Dick Deadeye - Graeme Danby. Buttercup - Valerie Reid
Corcoran - Phil Gault. Rackstraw - Austin Gunn
Becket - Tom Asher. Bobstay - Jacob Robson
Josephine - Fae Evelyn. Hebe - Lizzie Nicholson
Ensemble - Niamh Carr, Jane Burnell, Rosie Kat, kath Ireland, Zachary Kleanthous, Rhys Rodrigues
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra, conductor - Peter Ford
Rocket opera present Rinaldo by Handel
July 2018 William Shield Festival
Cast & Creatives:
Rinaldo - Charlotte Yandell. Goffredo - Kath Ireland
Almirena - Niamh Carr. Armida - Rosie Kat. Argante - Tamsin Davidson.
Araldo - Tom Asher
Piano - John Treherne
Harpsichord - Austin Gunn
July 2018 William Shield Festival
Cast & Creatives:
Rinaldo - Charlotte Yandell. Goffredo - Kath Ireland
Almirena - Niamh Carr. Armida - Rosie Kat. Argante - Tamsin Davidson.
Araldo - Tom Asher
Piano - John Treherne
Harpsichord - Austin Gunn
Rocket Opera present The Farmer by William Shield
July 2018 William Shield Festival
Cast & Creatives:
Niamh Carr, Rosie Kat, Lizzie Nicholson, Tamsin Davidson,
Kath Ireland, Austin Gunn, Chris Elliott, Tom Asher
William Shield Festival Orchestra conducted by John Treherne
July 2018 William Shield Festival
Cast & Creatives:
Niamh Carr, Rosie Kat, Lizzie Nicholson, Tamsin Davidson,
Kath Ireland, Austin Gunn, Chris Elliott, Tom Asher
William Shield Festival Orchestra conducted by John Treherne
Rocket Opera & The Maltings present Rita by Donizetti
February 2018
Cast & Creatives:
Rita - Natasha Day
Beppe - Austin Gunn
Gasparo - Job Tome
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor - Peter Ford
February 2018
Cast & Creatives:
Rita - Natasha Day
Beppe - Austin Gunn
Gasparo - Job Tome
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor - Peter Ford
Rocket Opera & The Maltings present Cox & Box
November 2017
Cast & Creatives:
Bouncer - Chris Jacklin
Cox - Phil Gault
Box - Austin Gunn
Piano - Gina Baker
November 2017
Cast & Creatives:
Bouncer - Chris Jacklin
Cox - Phil Gault
Box - Austin Gunn
Piano - Gina Baker
Rocket Opera & The Maltings present Don Giovanni
August 2017
Cast & Creatives:
Leporello - Thema Mvula. Don Giovanni - Phil Gault
Donna Anna - Rachel Dyson. Commendatore - Graeme Danby
Don Ottavio - Austin Gunn. Donna Elvira - Laura Wolk Lewanowicz
Zerlina - Katie Oswell. Masetto - David Cane
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor - Peter Ford
August 2017
Cast & Creatives:
Leporello - Thema Mvula. Don Giovanni - Phil Gault
Donna Anna - Rachel Dyson. Commendatore - Graeme Danby
Don Ottavio - Austin Gunn. Donna Elvira - Laura Wolk Lewanowicz
Zerlina - Katie Oswell. Masetto - David Cane
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor - Peter Ford
Rocket Opera present Rosina by William Shield
July 2017
Cast & Creatives:
Rosina - Katie Oswell
Mr Belville - Chris Elliott
Cast Belville - Austin Gunn
Rustic - Sam Morrison
Phoebe - Rosie Kat
William Shield Festival Orchestra conducted by John Treherne
July 2017
Cast & Creatives:
Rosina - Katie Oswell
Mr Belville - Chris Elliott
Cast Belville - Austin Gunn
Rustic - Sam Morrison
Phoebe - Rosie Kat
William Shield Festival Orchestra conducted by John Treherne
Rocket Opera & The Maltings present Iolanthe
June 2016
Cast & Creatives:
Lord Chancellor - Fred Broom. Iolanthe - Tamsin Davidson
Queen of the Fairies - Kath Ireland. Tolloller - Austin Gunn
Mountarrarat - Neil Turnbull. Phyllis - Lottie Greenhow
Strephon - Euan Williamson. Private Willis - Sam Morrison
Leila - Elle Stevens. Fleta - Charlotte Yandell
Ensemble - Niamh Carr, Jolanda Gripstra, Anna Marmion, Georgia Schneider,
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra, Conductor - Monica Buckland
June 2016
Cast & Creatives:
Lord Chancellor - Fred Broom. Iolanthe - Tamsin Davidson
Queen of the Fairies - Kath Ireland. Tolloller - Austin Gunn
Mountarrarat - Neil Turnbull. Phyllis - Lottie Greenhow
Strephon - Euan Williamson. Private Willis - Sam Morrison
Leila - Elle Stevens. Fleta - Charlotte Yandell
Ensemble - Niamh Carr, Jolanda Gripstra, Anna Marmion, Georgia Schneider,
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra, Conductor - Monica Buckland
Rocket Opera present a performance of Stephen Montague's John Cage Dinner Party.
Stephen Montague's interest in and close relationship with Cage, his philosophy and aesthetics, and sense of humour, is evident in the Dinner Party, which, like Cage’s iconic and iconoclastic 4’33” challenges traditional notions of what constitutes “music”. The “diners” chatter and hum, rattle their cutlery, tap the table and play their wine glasses, break into songs and arias along the way. The dinner party may seem random, but is based on a “menu” of options and time frames, and a performance created through chance operations.
Venue:
University of Hull
Friday 2nd December 2016
Cast & Creatives includes:
Students from the University of Hull
Guest - Katie Oswell
Producer/Guest - Austin Gunn
Stephen Montague's interest in and close relationship with Cage, his philosophy and aesthetics, and sense of humour, is evident in the Dinner Party, which, like Cage’s iconic and iconoclastic 4’33” challenges traditional notions of what constitutes “music”. The “diners” chatter and hum, rattle their cutlery, tap the table and play their wine glasses, break into songs and arias along the way. The dinner party may seem random, but is based on a “menu” of options and time frames, and a performance created through chance operations.
Venue:
University of Hull
Friday 2nd December 2016
Cast & Creatives includes:
Students from the University of Hull
Guest - Katie Oswell
Producer/Guest - Austin Gunn
Berwick Festival Opera:
The Maltings Theatre & Rocket Opera present:
The Vampyr
by Heinrich Marschner
Saturday October 29th 2016
Venue: Guildhall, Berwick
Cast & Creatives includes:
Michael Bawtree - Conductor
RNCM String - Orchestra
Laura Wolk-Lewanowicz - Malwina
Katie Oswell - Janthe
Tamsin Davidson - Emmy
Kath Ireland - Satan
Austin Gunn - Aubry
Victor Sgarbi - Ruthven
Julian Debruiel - Davenaut
David Cane - Baritone
The Maltings Theatre & Rocket Opera present:
The Vampyr
by Heinrich Marschner
Saturday October 29th 2016
Venue: Guildhall, Berwick
Cast & Creatives includes:
Michael Bawtree - Conductor
RNCM String - Orchestra
Laura Wolk-Lewanowicz - Malwina
Katie Oswell - Janthe
Tamsin Davidson - Emmy
Kath Ireland - Satan
Austin Gunn - Aubry
Victor Sgarbi - Ruthven
Julian Debruiel - Davenaut
David Cane - Baritone
MASTERCLASS
From Score to Stage Martin Constantine
Venue:
Laurel Avenue Community Association, Durham
14th & 15th May 2016
Martin Constantine has directed opera for over ten years now at the Royal Opera House, Bristol Old Vic, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, RSC and Grange Park Opera. His reccent production of Paul Bunyan, for WNO, won an RPS Award and was nominated for a South Bank Sky Arts Award.
He is co-Artistic Director of the multi-award winning LIVEARTSHOW Last year winning an MTN Award for The Future for Beginners at the Edinburgh Festival. Previous shows Rhinegold and Manga Sister (Time Out Critic's Choice / Best Theatre of the Year) were at centre of The Yard Theatre's Peter Brook Empty Space Award winning season for Innovation.
He established and is Director of ENO Opera Works - an innovative training programme for young opera singers. He is currently International Chair of Directing at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Martin has developed new writing for ROH, ENO, National Theatre, Almeida, Aldeburgh, Bristol Old Vic, Chichester Festival Theatre, the RSC and Young Vic. He has been Associate Director of new writing company Pentabus Theatre and The Yard, London. He co-adapted Kazuo Ishiguro's The Unconsoled with Toby Farrow at the National Theatre Studio.
Martin has worked as Associate and Assistant Director with Tim Albery, Martin Duncan, Nick Hytner, Richard Jones, Phyllida Lloyd and Steven Pimlott at the National Theatre, English National Opera, the RSC, Opera North and Chichester Festival Theatre. At Chichester he established the EDGE season incorporating over fifty events.
From Score to Stage Martin Constantine
Venue:
Laurel Avenue Community Association, Durham
14th & 15th May 2016
Martin Constantine has directed opera for over ten years now at the Royal Opera House, Bristol Old Vic, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, RSC and Grange Park Opera. His reccent production of Paul Bunyan, for WNO, won an RPS Award and was nominated for a South Bank Sky Arts Award.
He is co-Artistic Director of the multi-award winning LIVEARTSHOW Last year winning an MTN Award for The Future for Beginners at the Edinburgh Festival. Previous shows Rhinegold and Manga Sister (Time Out Critic's Choice / Best Theatre of the Year) were at centre of The Yard Theatre's Peter Brook Empty Space Award winning season for Innovation.
He established and is Director of ENO Opera Works - an innovative training programme for young opera singers. He is currently International Chair of Directing at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Martin has developed new writing for ROH, ENO, National Theatre, Almeida, Aldeburgh, Bristol Old Vic, Chichester Festival Theatre, the RSC and Young Vic. He has been Associate Director of new writing company Pentabus Theatre and The Yard, London. He co-adapted Kazuo Ishiguro's The Unconsoled with Toby Farrow at the National Theatre Studio.
Martin has worked as Associate and Assistant Director with Tim Albery, Martin Duncan, Nick Hytner, Richard Jones, Phyllida Lloyd and Steven Pimlott at the National Theatre, English National Opera, the RSC, Opera North and Chichester Festival Theatre. At Chichester he established the EDGE season incorporating over fifty events.
Having a Ball! Excerpts from Un Ballo in Maschera, Don Pasquale, and Lucia di lammermoor
Colaborative concert with InterOpera
InterOpera's artists
Soprano - Penelope Randall-Davis
Tenors - Thomas Elwin
Baritone - Roderick Earle
Rocket Opera's artists
Soprano - Laura Wolk-Lewanowicz
Mezzo - Kath Ireland
Tenor - Euan Williamson
Baritone - Sam morrison
Bass - Will Ford
Joined by ensembles from InterOpera & Rocket Opera
North East Brass Ensemble
Conductor - Alistair Dawes
Bishop Auckland Town Hall
Colaborative concert with InterOpera
InterOpera's artists
Soprano - Penelope Randall-Davis
Tenors - Thomas Elwin
Baritone - Roderick Earle
Rocket Opera's artists
Soprano - Laura Wolk-Lewanowicz
Mezzo - Kath Ireland
Tenor - Euan Williamson
Baritone - Sam morrison
Bass - Will Ford
Joined by ensembles from InterOpera & Rocket Opera
North East Brass Ensemble
Conductor - Alistair Dawes
Bishop Auckland Town Hall
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The Maltings Theatre & Rocket Opera present:
La Scala di Seta 1st & 2nd August 2015 Berwick Festival Opera Giulia:Ines Simoes Lucilla:Tamsin Davidson Dorvil:Laura Wolk Lewanowicz Dormont:Austin Gunn Blansac:Christopher Jacklin Germano:Phil Gault Un Altra Servitore:Katie Oswell Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra Conductor:Stephen Higgins Producer:Matthew Rooke |
The Maltings Theatre & Rocket Opera present:
The Mikado
June 2015 Berwick Festival Opera
Yum-Yum:Rachel Dyson
Pitti-Sing:Heather Jill Burns
Peep-Bo:Tamsin Davidson
Katisha:Kath Ireland
Ko-Ko:Lawrence Neale
Pooh-Bah:Fred Broom
Pish-Tush:Will Ford
The Mikado:Neil Turnbull
Nanki-Poo:Austin Gunn
Schoolgirl: Charlotte Yandell
Schoolgirl: Eleanor Stevens
Schoolgirl: Niamh Carr
Nobleman: Sam Morrison
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor:Peter Ford
Producer:Matthew Rooke
The Mikado
June 2015 Berwick Festival Opera
Yum-Yum:Rachel Dyson
Pitti-Sing:Heather Jill Burns
Peep-Bo:Tamsin Davidson
Katisha:Kath Ireland
Ko-Ko:Lawrence Neale
Pooh-Bah:Fred Broom
Pish-Tush:Will Ford
The Mikado:Neil Turnbull
Nanki-Poo:Austin Gunn
Schoolgirl: Charlotte Yandell
Schoolgirl: Eleanor Stevens
Schoolgirl: Niamh Carr
Nobleman: Sam Morrison
Berwick Festival Opera Orchestra
Conductor:Peter Ford
Producer:Matthew Rooke
Masterclass Melofonetica with Matteo Dalle Fratte
May 23/24 2015
The Little Theatre, Cleadon
May 23/24 2015
The Little Theatre, Cleadon
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That's Amore! 14th February 2015
That's Amore! Romantic love songs and Italian cuisine Henry Travers Studio, Berwick Soprano: Heather Jill Burns Tenor: Austin Gunn Piano: Peter Ford & Julie Aherne |
Festive Treats 1st & 2nd December 2014
Sopranos - Heather Jill Burns, Katie Oswell
Tenor - Austin Gunn
Rocket Opera Ensemble
Felling Band
Conductor - Alistair Dawes
Tenor - Austin Gunn
Rocket Opera Ensemble
Felling Band
Conductor - Alistair Dawes
Dido and Aeneas 18th July 2014
In collaboration with Berwick Festival Opera and the Maltings Theatre, Rocket Opera will be performing Purcell's masque with a newly commissioned edition of the score and an exciting new dramatic realisation of the story by Matthew Rooke.
Dido - Heather Jill Burns
Belinda - Rachel Dyson
Sorceress - Tamsin Davidson
Lady/Witch - Anna Marmion
Lady/Witch - Katie Oswell
Aeneas - Austin Gunn
Spirit - Niamh Carr
Sailor - Paul Smith
Rocket Opera Ensemble - Kath Ireland, Neil Turnbull, Jacob Robson
Sax Ecosse
Conductor/Continuo - Nicholas Butters
Producer - Matthew Rooke
18th July 2014 Berwick Guildhall 7.30pm
Dido - Heather Jill Burns
Belinda - Rachel Dyson
Sorceress - Tamsin Davidson
Lady/Witch - Anna Marmion
Lady/Witch - Katie Oswell
Aeneas - Austin Gunn
Spirit - Niamh Carr
Sailor - Paul Smith
Rocket Opera Ensemble - Kath Ireland, Neil Turnbull, Jacob Robson
Sax Ecosse
Conductor/Continuo - Nicholas Butters
Producer - Matthew Rooke
18th July 2014 Berwick Guildhall 7.30pm
Pirates of Penzance 20th July 2014
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In collaboration with Berwick Festival Opera and the Maltings Theatre, Rocket Opera will be performing Sullivan's operetta.
Samuel - Jacob Robson Frederic - Austin Gunn Pirate King - Neil Turnbull Ruth - Kath Ireland Edith - Heather Jill Burns Kate - Katie Oswell Isabel - Anna Marmion Mabel - Rachel Dyson Florence - Niamh Carr Major General - Christopher Jacklyn Chief of Police - Richard Gooding PC All - Paul Banks Ship's Band Conductor - Nicholas Butters Producer - Matthew Rooke Sunday 20th July 2014 2pm and 7.30pm Berwick Guildhall |
Rossini Petite Messe Solenelle 23rd March
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Concert performance of Rossini's delightful setting at King's Hall, Newcastle given by Sage Gateshead Community Choir, Philharmonic Voices & Rocket Opera Soloists
Soprano - Heather Jill Burns Mezzo - Kath Ireland Tenor - Austin Gunn Bass - Neil Turnbull conducted by Len Young |
Mozart Requiem
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Sage Gateshead Community Choir and Rocket Opera Soloists perform Mozart's masterpiece at Newcastle RC Cathedral
Conducted by Len Young Soprano - Elise Dye Mezzo - Heather Jill Burns Tenor - David Douglas Bass - Neil Turnbull |
Join in and Sing…Opera Favourites
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Come along and learn operatic repertoire by Verdi, Rossini, Sullivan, Strauss etc with Rocket Opera soloists and Royal Northern Sinfonia conducted by Simon Fidler. More info http://www.sagegateshead.com/event/join-in-and-sing-concert28304/
Soprano - Heather Jill Burns Mezzo - Kath Ireland Tenor - Austin Gunn Baritone - Neil Turnbull 11th January Sage Gateshead Hall One (registration 9.30am, Rehearsals from 10.30am, Performance 6pm |
A Musical Thanksgiving!
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A concert of Broadway songs, duets and ensembles by Sondheim, Gershwin, Bernstein, Rodgers etc
Roker Methodist Church Soprano - Elise Nurre Dye Soprano - Heather Jill Burns Tenor - Austin Gunn Baritone - Neil Turnbull Piano - Nick Butters 29th November 2013 |
Mozart Opera Scenes and Requiem Mass
Rocket Opera perform arias and ensembles from operas by Mozart followed by a performance of Mozart Requiem Mass.
Trinity Church Gosforth
Soprano - Elise Nurre Dye
Mezzo - Heather Jill Burns
Tenor - Austin Gunn
Bass - Neil Turnbull
Musical Director/Piano - Nick Butters
Chorus - Sage Community Choir
Conductor - Simon Fidler
Piano - Jenny Martins
Trinity Church Gosforth
Soprano - Elise Nurre Dye
Mezzo - Heather Jill Burns
Tenor - Austin Gunn
Bass - Neil Turnbull
Musical Director/Piano - Nick Butters
Chorus - Sage Community Choir
Conductor - Simon Fidler
Piano - Jenny Martins
Trial By Jury
Joint production with the Maltings Theatre Berwick, Sage Gateshead and Rocket Opera.
Performances at Brunswick Methodist Church Newcastle and Berwick Guildhall.
Thurs 4th July 7pm Newcastle - Rocket Opera & The Sage Gateshead Opera Chorus present a concert version of Sullivan's Trial By Jury.
Sat 13th 3pm and 8pm July Berwick - Rocket Opera & The Maltings Theatre present a fully staged victorian dress performance of Sullivan's Trial By Jury with orchestra.
Cast:
Richard Gooding/Paul Toward - Judge
Neil Turnbull - Usher
Austin Gunn - Defendant
Heather Jill Burns - Counsel
Rachel Dyson - Plaintiff
Tony Hurst - Foreman
Chorus: From The Sage Gateshead Opera Chorus & Friends
Conductor - Simon Fiddler
Performances at Brunswick Methodist Church Newcastle and Berwick Guildhall.
Thurs 4th July 7pm Newcastle - Rocket Opera & The Sage Gateshead Opera Chorus present a concert version of Sullivan's Trial By Jury.
Sat 13th 3pm and 8pm July Berwick - Rocket Opera & The Maltings Theatre present a fully staged victorian dress performance of Sullivan's Trial By Jury with orchestra.
Cast:
Richard Gooding/Paul Toward - Judge
Neil Turnbull - Usher
Austin Gunn - Defendant
Heather Jill Burns - Counsel
Rachel Dyson - Plaintiff
Tony Hurst - Foreman
Chorus: From The Sage Gateshead Opera Chorus & Friends
Conductor - Simon Fiddler
Carmen 2013
Rocket Opera and The Sage Gateshead Community Opera Chorus present Bizet's Carmen at The Sage Gateshead
Wed 13th March - Sage Gateshead
Carmen - Heather Jill Burns
Dancairo - Jacob Robson
Don Jose - Austin Gunn
Escamillo - Neil Turnbull
Frasquita - Katie Oswell
Michaela - Rachel Dyson
Mercedes - Sophie Dalrymple
Remendado - Alex Banfield
Child - Niamh Carr
Chorus: The Sage Gateshead Community Opera Chorus
Conductor: Richard Gooding
Wed 13th March - Sage Gateshead
Carmen - Heather Jill Burns
Dancairo - Jacob Robson
Don Jose - Austin Gunn
Escamillo - Neil Turnbull
Frasquita - Katie Oswell
Michaela - Rachel Dyson
Mercedes - Sophie Dalrymple
Remendado - Alex Banfield
Child - Niamh Carr
Chorus: The Sage Gateshead Community Opera Chorus
Conductor: Richard Gooding
The Great Boxing Booth Revival! 2012
Marcellina and Susanna spar with each other in an exchange of polite insults that decent into below the belt remarks. Susanna triumphs in the exchange by congratulating her rival on her impressive age. The older woman is knocked off her feet by the younger woman's insult!
Marcellina - Heather Jill Burns/Ailsa Standring*
Susanna - Rachel Dyson
Aug 4th - Powburn, Aug 11th - Sedgefield, Aug 18th - Allendale, Aug 25th - Bellingham, Sept 8th - Stanhope, Sept 15th - Egremont, Sept 22nd - Hexham*
Marcellina - Heather Jill Burns/Ailsa Standring*
Susanna - Rachel Dyson
Aug 4th - Powburn, Aug 11th - Sedgefield, Aug 18th - Allendale, Aug 25th - Bellingham, Sept 8th - Stanhope, Sept 15th - Egremont, Sept 22nd - Hexham*
A Dinner Party to Celebrate John Cage's 100th - Stephen Montague
Stephen Montague's wonderful work inspired by the life and work of his friend and colleague John Cage and in celebration of his 100th Birthday which falls on September 5th 2012.
Cast includes singers from English National Opera's Operaworks programme 2011/2012, some of the leading young vocal talent at the region's universities and local professional and preprofessional performers hosted by Rocket Opera.
Entry is free
September 5th - The Sage Gateshead, Foyer
Cast includes singers from English National Opera's Operaworks programme 2011/2012, some of the leading young vocal talent at the region's universities and local professional and preprofessional performers hosted by Rocket Opera.
Entry is free
September 5th - The Sage Gateshead, Foyer
Rocket Opera Gala Concert
Rachel Dyson, Heather Jill Burns, Austin Gunn, Neil Turnbull and Jenny Martins perform highlights from operas throughout the centuries including La Traviata, Gianni Schicci, Semele, Don Giovanni, Hansel und Gretel, Romeo et Juliette, Porgy and Bess, Don Pasquale, Cosi Fan Tutte, Carmen, Mikado and Merrie England!
Tickets on the door £5
July 21st - All Saints Parish Church, Gosforth, 7pm
Tickets on the door £5
July 21st - All Saints Parish Church, Gosforth, 7pm
