Launching Opera Lives

With a career in opera stretching back to 1982, Linda Kitchen is well placed to consider what makes an opera singer. In her new book, Opera Lives, she interviews 21 of her fellow singers (some current some retired) to discuss what it means to be a performer, how they got into the profession and how who they are affects how they perform. 

Published by Spiramus Press, the book is illustrated with photos of the singers by Nobby Clarke. Last night, there was a launch for the book at the National Opera Studio, where we could admire Nobby Clarke's photos and listen to Mozart, Rossini and Bizet performed by three of the National Opera Studio's current crop of young artists, Charlie Drummond, Jake Muffett and Michael Papadopoulos.

What made the evening rather special was the fact that so many of those involved in the book were able to be present. You can read the full list of participants at the Spiramus Press website.