Stanley Opera

The Chorus of Stanley Opera

Appearing in the chorus in the past 3 years: Marilyn Ashwell, Pat Atha, Peter Bateman, Maureen Bates, Nicola Bingham, Phil Brown, Rosie Brown, Felicity Clarke, Jim Coley, Maria Coupland, Debbie Dubberley, Marianne Duffy, Louise Duguid, Tom Duguid, Elaine Dutton, Christine Edwards, Tony Gibson, Eileen Goddard, Keith Goode, Ethne Goode, Granville Griffiths, Jill Hall, Kathryn Hardy, Rebekah Jasper, Maureen Jones, June Lee, Linda Lucas, Margaret Mann, Tom Marlow, Katie Marlow, Margaret Mason, Sarah Middleton, Margaret Mills, Joyce Moore, Eddie Murray, Cat Nicholls, Lauren Nicholls, Marika Nute, Melanie Nute, Mike Powell, Florence Powers, Mark Rawlinson, Andrew Robinson, Josh Robinson, Rick Scrine, Chris Sturgess, Richard Tomlinson, John Vernon, Ann de Voil, Betty Whalley, Jane White, Keith Wild, Syliva Wild, Philip Worley and Jill Worth.

Kirsty Anderson

Mimi, La Bohème (2010)

Kirsty made her debut as a principal with Stanley Opera as Mimi in La Boheme in 2010 after chorus appearances in The Elixir of Love and Cosi fan tutte. She was a participant and recitalist in the Opera Masterclass at the first Hinckley Opera Festival in 2009. Kirsty was the National Winner of Open Mic UK 2009, a competition for which over 8000 young singers applied and auditioned. She is currently at the London College of Music and is due to sing Gilda at two performances of Stanley Opera’s upcoming production of Rigoletto.

Alexander Anderson-Hall

Rodolfo, La Bohème (2010)

For Stanley Opera Alexander has sung Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte and Rodolfo in La Boheme. Alexander trained at the Royal College of Music and made his national debut in a number of roles for Scottish Opera. In the UK, USA, Africa and Europe he has performed more than 30 roles in the lyric tenor repertoire including Tamino, Rodolfo, Ottavio, Faust, Ramiro, Nadir and Macduff. He is currently with English National Opera courtesy of the Baylis Foundation and is due to sing the role of the Duke of Mantua in Stanley Opera’s upcoming production of Rigoletto.

Nicola Bingham

Musetta, La Bohème (2010)

Nicola first performed with Stanley Opera as Nedda in Pagliacci in 2005. Since then she has played the Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro, the title role in Carmen, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte and Musetta in La Boheme. Other roles include, for Leicester Opera, Cinderella in Massenet’s Cinderella, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Nicklaus in Tales of Hoffmann, Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro and, for Ashleyan Opera, Musetta in La Boheme, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Nedda in Pagliacci and Frasquita in Carmen. Nicola was a recitalist in the first Hinckley Opera Festival in 2009.

Joe Cerkeliunas

Schaunard, La Bohème (2010)

For Stanley Opera Joe has sung the roles of Don Alfonso in Cosi fan tutte and Schaunard in La Boheme. He was a recitalist at The Hinckley Opera Festival 2009. He is due to sing the role of Monterone in Stanley Opera’s upcoming production of Rigoletto. Other roles include Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (Ripley and Alfreton Operatic Society) and Doctor Miracle in Tales of Hoffman (Charnwood Opera). Joe has also performed in Crazy for You and a Gilbert and Sullivan triple bill of songs by leading characters from The Mikado, The Gondoliers and The Pirates of Penzance.

Chris Marlow

Marcello, La Bohème (2010)

Chris first performed for Stanley Opera as the Messenger in La Traviata in 2001, followed the year after by Dr Falke in Die Fledermaus. Since then he has moved on to more substantial roles including The King of Egypt in Aida, Mephistopheles in Faust, Silvio in Pagliacci, Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro, Escamillo in Carmen, Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte and Marcello in La Boheme. He was a recitalist at the first Hinckley Opera Festival in 2009 and is now due to sing the title role in Verdi’s Rigoletto.

Andrew Robinson

Colline, La Bohème (2010)

Andrew first sung for Stanley Opera in 2005 as Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana. Since then he has played Bartolo in The Marriage of Figaro, Zuniga in Carmen, Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love and Colline in La Boheme. In addition to opera, Andrew has also played roles in a number of musicals, including The Plant in The Little Shop of Horrors, Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, Long John Silver in Treasure Island and a range of other musicals and operettas. Andrew is due to sing the role of Sparafucile in Stanley Opera’s upcoming production of Verdi’s Rigoletto.

Rachel-Louise Stonehouse

Mimi, La Bohème (2010)

For Stanley Opera Rachel-Louise has sung Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte and Mimi in La Boheme. She has worked in the UK and Ireland for Welsh National Opera, Garsington Opera, Wexford Festival Opera, Almeida Opera and The Birmingham Opera Company. Roles include Kate Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, Major’s Wife in Osud, Papegena and First Lady in The Magic Flute, Clarice in Il mondo della luna. Locally she has sung with Charnwood Opera including Antonia in Tales of Hoffman and the title role in Madam Butterfly. She was a recitalist in the Hinckley Opera Festival in 2009.

Chris Sturgess

Parpignol, La Bohème (2010)

After fifteen years on the back row of the chorus in Carmen (1995, 2000, 2007), Tales of Hoffmann (1996), Cavalleria Rustiana & Pagliacci (1997,2005), Opera 4 All (1998), Double Bill (1999), La Traviata (2001), Die Fledermaus (2002), Aida (2003), Faust (2004), The Marriage of Figaro (2006), The Elixir of Love (2008) and Cosi fan tutte (2009), Chris finally stepped up as a principal singer in 2010 to play Parpignol in La Boheme. He has also been an ever-present member of the chorus for fifteen consecutive October concerts – for which he claims he deserves a medal.

John Vernon

Benoit, La Bohème (2010)

John has taken part in every operatic production for Stanley Opera since his debut in the priests’ chorus in Aida in 2003. He has played Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro, Lilas Pastia in Carmen and Benoit in La Boheme. With the Community Guild, roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas have included Bill Bobstay in HMS Pinafore, Giorgio in The Gondoliers, Arac in Princess Ida, As a choral singer, John was a member of the Tempo Choir for 27 years and now performs with the Hinckley-based Accord Chamber Choir.

Matt Connolly

Nemorino, The Elixir of Love (2008)

Matt’s debut with Stanley Opera was singing Nemorino in The Elixir of Love in 2008. He began his studies in Germany at the Konservatorium in Mainz in 1995. His first role on the operatic stage was the title role in Faust, with Brent Opera and he has gone on to many roles including Hoffmann in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Don Jose in Carmen, Alfredo in La traviata, Canio in Pagliacci, Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, the last with Hampstead Garden Opera. Matt has performed excerpts including scenes and arias from Tosca, La Boheme, Turandot, as well as more contemporary excursions.

Debbie Dubberley

Gianetta, The Elixir of Love (2008)

For Stanley Opera Debbie has played Mercedes in Carmen and Giannetta in The Elixir of Love. She is due to sing the role of Maddalena in the upcoming production of Rigoletto. She has also performed many roles for both the Little Theatre and Haymarket in Leicester, including Leila in Iolanthe, Kate in Yeoman of the Guard and Ida in Die Fledermaus.

Louise Duguid

Adina, The Elixir of Love (2008)

Louise first performed with Stanley Opera in 1992. After completing a degree at the Royal College of Music she returned to sing the title role of Aida in 2003, followed by Marguerite in Faust, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Micaela in Carmen and Adina in The Elixir of Love. Louise has performed lead roles in a variety of musicals, operas and plays in theatres in across the UK, as well as performing further afield in France, Germany, The Czech Republic and China. She now returns to Stanley Opera to sing the role of Gilda at two performances of the upcoming production of Verdi’s Rigoletto.

Colin Blackler

Dancairo, Carmen (2007)

Colin’s debut with Stanley Opera was as Dancairo in Carmen in 2007. In the same year he also played Stan in Stan’s Grand Tour. Colin has performed in over 70 operas, operettas, and musicals in Bristol, Banbury, Leicester, Hinckley and other venues. The first role he performed was The Boy King in Novello’s King’s Rhapsody. Colin’s first opera was La Boheme in 1991 with Leicester Opera.

Felicity Clarke

Frasquita, Carmen (2007)

Felicity first performed with Stanley Opera in 1992 and, after completing a MA in Musicology at Cardiff University, she returned for Faust in 2004. She performed the role of Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro (2006). In addition to performing, Felicity has been the company’s Assistant Director for Cav&Pag (2005) and Choreographer for Carmen (2007) and Stan’s Grand Tour (2007). Away from Stanley, Felicity has performed roles in Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Concordia and theatres in Rugby and Leicester.

Vincenzo Sozzo

Don Jose, Carmen (2007)

Enzo has been a popular favourite with Leicestershire audiences for many years. For Stanley Opera Enzo has performed the role of Don Jose in Carmen three times (1986, 1995, 2007), Alfred in Die Fledermaus (1994), Hoffmann in Tales of Hoffmann (1996), Radames in Aida (2003), the title role in Faust (1993, 2004), Canio in Pagliacci (1997, 2005) and Don Basilio in The Marriage of Figaro (2006).

Andrew Stewart

Remendado, Carmen (2007)

Andrew’s debut with Stanley Opera was as Remendado in Carmen in 2007. Prior to this Andrew had performed in Leicester at both the Haymarket and the Little Theatre. Shows include Trial of Tears.

Emily Bray

Barbarina, The Marriage of Figaro (2006)

Emily joined Stanley Opera in 2004 for the concert Be Our Guest. She went on to play the gardener’s daughter, Barbarina, in The Marriage of Figaro (2006).

Ethne Goode

Marcellina, The Marriage of Figaro (2006)

Ethne joined Stanley Opera in 2003 for Aida. After this she played the trouser role of Siebel in Faust followed by Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro and Despina in Cosi fan tutte. Away from the Concordia Ethne has performed for many years in Leicester, including the role of Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte with Knighton Opera at the Richard Attenborough Centre in Leicester.

Andrew Lamb

The Count, The Marriage of Figaro (2006)

Andrew made his debut with Stanley Opera in 2004 as Valentin in Faust. After this he went on to play Tonio in Pagliacci and Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. Before this Andrew had performed in many other locations with both Oxford and Edinburgh University’s opera companies. Roles included The Mikado in The Mikado and Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro. Andrew has also performed roles in Loughborough including Colonel Frank in Die Fledermaus and Bogdanovitch in The Merry Widow.

Pat Atha

Martha, Faust (2004)

Pat joined Stanley Opera in 1984 for The Bartered Bride and has since played the roles of Mamma Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana, Annina in La Traviata, and Martha in Faust. Other roles include the Fairy Queen in Iolanthe, Mrs Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer, Freda in Goodnight Vienna, Angela in Maid of the Mountains and Lady Isobel in East Lynne.