Opera Rara and The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama collaborate on fringe events for BBC Cardiff Singer of the World

The ongoing partnership Opera Rara and The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) continues this month with an exhibition that delves into The Foyle Opera Rara Collection, one of the finest collections of manuscripts, letters and memorabilia relating to 19th-century Italian bel canto opera (10-18 June), plus two lunchtime concerts by mezzo-soprano Kezia Bienek (13 June), tenor Julian Henao Gonzalez (14 June) and pianist James Southall, Interim Music Director of the David Seligman Opera School at RWCMD, include restorations of Donizetti songs from the collection. The concerts and exhibition are part of RWCMD’s programme of fringe events complementing the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, which takes place from 10 to 18 June 2023.

The Foyle Opera Rara Collection, now held at RWCMD, was created by Patric Schmid and Don White who founded Opera Rara and the collection reflects their interests in the Italian bel canto tradition. The close partnership between Opera Rara and RWCMD also continues through conductor Carlo Rizzi, who as well as being Artistic Director of Opera Rara, is RWCMD International Chair in Conducting.

Full details from the RWCMD website.