Young artists L'enfant et les sortileges in the North East

Samling is an organisation dedicated to supporting and nurturing young singers. In 2012 Samling Academy was established to benefit young musicians aged 14-21, with an intensive coaching programme in voice, acting, languages and through performance. Working with Newcastle and Durham Universities and Sage Gateshead, this provision is unique in the North East of England. It brings a conservatoire standard of coaching to young people who might otherwise never recognise their talents.

On 28 July 2015, Samling Academy Opera is performing Ravel's L'enfant et les Sortileges at Saltburn Community Theatre, with further performances at the Sage Gateshead on 30 & 31 July. The intensive rehearsal period will be based at Saltburn where the community will very much be involved, including providing accommodation for the cast.

Performed in reduction of the score for piano duet, cello and flute by Didier Puntos. The production is fully staged, and directed entirely by Samling Artists, with director Miranda Wright and music director Jean-Paul Pruna leading a cast of Samling Academy participants both past and present. Samling Artist, Newcastle born soprano Ruth Jenkins-Róbertsson will join the cast in the roles of Fire and Nightingale. Dena Lague, who has performed with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures for the past decade, is movement director and with lighting by Matt Haskins.

Tickets are available priced £12 at Saltburn Community Theatre (Tel: 01287 624997 or visit www.saltburnarts.co.uk) and £15 at Sage Gateshead (Tel: 0191 443 4661 or visit www.sagegateshead.com).