The Opera Pod

From jumping in as a rehearsal pianist at the Salzburg Festival, through taking on ENO at the age of thirty-one, and onto the legacy of the LPO , Ed Gardner gives a refreshingly honest insight into his journey from a …

How can we find balance when our schedules can be so punishing? How can we find meaning in our work in a world that celebrates immediate success?  …

What happens when the career you have is not the one that you really want? Do you stay and climb the ladder, or do you take a risk and step into your story? Nadine Benjamin found herself thriving in the world of …

Hailing from the German equivalent of the Von Trapp family with plans to be a solo violinist, Kathleen’s career took an unexpected pivot when she was …

For over a decade, Kate was a busy lead Soprano singing across UK opera houses and around the world. However, some worrying panic attacks and serious vocal health issues came to the surface and required swift surgery. …

Allyson was surrounded by music in Ottawa as she grew up - from jazz to classical and calypso - and playing the piano was an intrinsic part of her childhood, where she gathered happily with friends at festivals and …

Leaving home at just sixteen to get a place at a London drama school, Anna-Marie needed to support herself, so walking around the Royal Opera House …

One of Mark’s earliest performing experiences was actually on stage for the Metropolitan Opera in Aida as a supernumerary, or as others might say, an …

Kate remembers both music and theatre from her Methodist church and her local amateur dramatic society, where many of her family took roles on the …

Brought up by his single mom to a musical, church-going family, Roderick’s first instrument – a snare drum – arrived in its JC Penney cardboard box, which he carried the drum around in until they found a second-hand …

Classical, Jazz, Funk and R&B were all embraced in Andrea’s Massachusetts household growing up, and with music already very much in the family, …

Transgender opera singer Breanna Sinclairé felt trapped in the Tenor repertoire where she had never felt at ease, and finally told her teachers that …

As a young girl, Anna ensured her playdates were only at houses with pianos, until her parents finally gave in and bought one just for her. Unaware …

After a car journey listening to Carmen tapes on repeat, on to failing his Grade 8 flute three times (despite the efforts of Mr House, his …

Toria recalls dancing around her living room to Simon and Garfunkel, and insisting on learning to play the piano - with no urging from her parents. Critiquing her dad’s acting skills at the age of three, Toria went on …

Damien grew up with his mom singing around the house, and Diana Ross and The Pointer Sisters on the record player, with a bit of Bach and Tchaikovsky thrown in for good measure. Although he went on to study music …

As a young girl, Robyn constantly played both Mariah Carey and Maria Callas on tape and CD, so her mum signed her up for a local children's choir where she first discovered a love for singing opera, starting with the …

Nicky began his musical journey in Dumfries in Scotland, staying late after school singing Elaine Paige at pitch and tinkling on the piano until the …

Dane Lam grew up in sunny Brisbane, and recalls his grandmother playing piano at family gatherings, and started learning himself from a young age. …

Jason and Kaitlyn began their journeys in different ways, from a family that was open to following an artistic path, to another that was more …

Claire began her musical journey at the age of three playing and singing the Angel Gabriel, and she was immediately hooked. Taking up different …

Cynthia was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States, and as a young girl she loved dressing up her Barbie dolls and recording …

Paula grew up with traditional Irish Music in County Kerry, but despite immersing herself in music and performance at the National Folk Theatre of …

The Ango-American Librettist & Producer Lila Palmer takes us to rural Vermont and to beautifully vivid moments of music in her childhood, like …

Aaron Blake grew up in Palos Verdes in California, where his parents indulged him in violin lessons early on in Kindergarten, even if it was just for …

Growing up as an Italian boy in London, Michael Volpe listened to everything from Mario Lanza to prog Rock.  Despite having very little money, his …

Growing up in Piedras Negras on the Mexican border with the United States, Eleazar first experienced opera from a recording his father borrowed of The Three Tenors, and he went on to buy a videotape of them, which he …

Jane was captivated by her first opera at the age of eight, and realising she loved story-telling in all different forms, went on to study English and Drama at university. Working as a dresser while she was a student, …

Growing up in Liverpool, Harry drove his artist mother mad playing The Beatles and took to the piano, but thought of it as more of a hobby than …

Ruth was brought up in Ireland by her dancer mother and singer and actor father, to a backdrop of golden era Hollywood musicals with some Beatles …

Matthew Rose started studying music at school in West Sussex before going on to study at University in Canterbury, where he worked with Benjamin …

Fiona Maddocks played music as a young girl at the Royal College of Music on Saturdays, but after a frightening experience at a Masterclass with …

Psychotherapist and artist wellbeing practitioner Lou Platt was brought up by her Avon Lady mother and her nuclear engineer father, who also created sets both for their local theatre, and for Lou to perform at home. …

Nicola began music at school with the standard issue recorder, but soon took it upon herself to put down a deposit on a saxophone, much to the horror …

Frances Marshall began learning the piano at five years old, but was also captivated by copies of Vanity Fair around her house, which founded her …

Taken to galleries, theatres and the opera by her parents, Christine Chibnall’s love for music was also nurtured at South Hampstead High School for …

Multi award-winning soprano Angel Blue is known for the beautiful timbre of her voice and her captivating stage presence. Gracing many of the world’s …

Picking out notes on the piano with her mother before she could even talk, Jessica started her music training young and was on the path to becoming a …

Julian began his life surrounded by music with his siblings, and was sent away to music courses by his parents, where he developed a real need to …

At four and a half years old, perched on cushions at The Royal Opera House in London, Gweneth Ann Rand was captivated, and declared she wanted to …

Director of Opera at the Royal Opera House in London, and award-winning director in his own right, Oliver Mears talks to Nina Brazier about the …

The American-born, German-based Baritone chose the moment carefully, knowing it could be the end of an operatic career. With an impeccably made-up …

Managing Director of WildKat PR Olivia Brown chats to Nina Brazier about her journey to the top of the music PR industry, and offers insight for creatives on how to strategically promote themselves in the world of …

Living in Moscow at five years old, Cordelia Lynn was on the path to becoming a fine concert pianist.  As a teenager back in the UK, her passion for …

John Liddell, Head of Costume at Scottish Opera for 35 years, initially studied law, before becoming a heavy metal musician in the 60s. After making suitably eclectic costumes for fellow band-members and musicians, he …

Multi award winning Composer and Artistic Director of the Biennale Musica in Venice, Lucia Ronchetti chats with Nina about experiencing music for the …

Chief Executive and Director of Opera at Opera Holland Park in London, James Clutton, chats openly about his 60s musical influences, early school …

One of Britain’s leading casting directors, Sarah Playfair chats through her formative years - from running away from her boarding school to catch …

Multi award-winning composer Philip chats with host Nina Brazier about how he works with his collaborators, how he creates work with such incredible …

Multi award-winning Welsh soprano Fflur Wyn talks to Nina Brazier about her earliest performance at the age of three, growing up under the spotlight …

Young director Rachael chats with Nina Brazier about her extraordinary online sensation, Virtual Opera’s digital creation of L’enfant et les Sortilegès with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, created under lockdown with …

Aurore talks openly with Nina Brazier about her childhood in a small town in central France, where her mother was determined to give her daughters …

Tim Claydon chats with Nina Brazier about the series of happy accidents that have forged his career, from his early start as a classical dancer, to flying above 20,000 people as an aerialist at the opening of the …

Leslie Travers shares his journey from finding inspiration as a young, working-class Hartlepool boy in his local library, to becoming an …

British costume designer Sue Willmington chats with Nina Brazier about her early love of music and fabric, being tested to her limit on her first …

Multi award-winning opera director Christopher Alden chats with Nina Brazier about his early obsession with Broadway musicals through the seminal …

Real life opera couple soprano Gillian Keith and Tenor and composer Tom Randle reveal the unexpected twists and the life-changing phone calls that have built their careers. From winning the Kathleen Ferrier in jeans to …

Director Nina Brazier reveals some of the big names in opera who will be joining her on The Opera Pod. Get your access all areas pass to find out more about the successes and setbacks, and the passions and pitfalls from …