Richard Bloodworth's passion for opera was kindled in his student days when he became assistant conductor to David Atherton working on a student production of Berlioz' Beatrice and Benedict. During a period as Head of Music and Drama in a Leeds comprehensive school he served as accompanist for Leeds Youth Opera and musical director of Bradford Opera Group, combining this with major contributions to the work of Bradford Playhouse
Alison comes from Hartlepool and achieved her Dip ABRSM and LRSM before completing her Postgraduate Diploma in performance at the Royal Academy of Music in 2007. Whilst at the RAM she made her Wigmore Hall debut that was filmed for Channel 4. She was invited to take part in a performance of Satie's 19 hour work Vexations in the Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern, and also appeared at the Spitz Jazz Club, London, with the Ossian ensemble.
| SOPRANO: | Angela Chamberlain Mary Coffield Julia Heal Janet Miles |
| Liz Roberts Paulina Rossi Olive Taylor Meike Wanjek | |
| ALTO: | Sue Clements Geraldine Johnson Linda Johnston Ruth Lackenby-Jones |
| Lucie Nicholson Janet Walke | |
| TENOR: | Paul Burt Dennis Herbert Tony King Evan Maddison Alan Phelps Mark Rossi Richard Severn |
| BASS: | David Curtis Laurence Davison Paddy Duffy Bill Lewis Clive Robins |
Alan is a tenor in popular demand for opera, operetta and oratorio. His recent roles for Opera Nova include Don Jose 'Carmen', Camille 'The Merry Widow', Tamino 'The Magic Flute', and Rudolfo 'La Bohème'. He has recently played several leading roles for Opera San Miguel, Murcia including Turiddu opposite Paulina Rossi in Cavalleria Rusticana and Alfredo with Mary Coffield as Violetta in La Traviata.
Bill joined the Rosedale Gilbert and Sullivan Society in 1993 after answering an advertisement in the local press seeking male singers. He joined Opera Nova in 2005 and has performed in many of their concerts. Having portrayed King Nebuchadnezzar in Verdi’s Nabucco he will be portraying a variety of roles in the 2015 programme including the mighty Falstaff.
David trained with the late Denis Weatherley. David is an experienced performer taking leading roles for many societies including Opera Nova, Darlington Operatic Society and Bishop Auckland Operatic Society over the years. He is also in demand as a musical director with Bishop Auckland Operatic Society, Northallerton Musical Theatre Society and Opera Nova.
Janet is originally from West Yorkshire, and has sung in choirs from an early age. Her singing was developed through the tuition of Jayne Cole, who still continues to provide support. Janet has enjoyed playing a number of roles with Northallerton Musical Theatre Company, including Sister Sarah ‘Guys and Dolls’, Bloody Mary ‘South Pacific’, Dolly Levi ‘Hello Dolly’ and more recently the Duchess of Dene ‘Me and My Girl’.
Born into a family of string players and singers, Janet began her musical training from the age of seven as a cellist. Singing became her first love and in 2000 she joined Opera Nova and found her true passion - Opera. Operatic roles have included the Third Lady in The Magic Flute, The Voice Tales of Hoffman, Ida Die Fledermaus and excerpts from Norma, Lakmé, Der Rosenkavalier, Fidelio and La Forza Del Destino - all with Opera Nova.
Mary is a classically trained lyric-soprano who is equally at home on the operatic stage and in the concert hall, where performances have included Mozart’s Requiem and Vespers with Darlington Choral Society and Rossini’s Stabat Mater with Stokesley Choral Society. Most recent operatic roles include Violetta in La Traviata for Opera San Miguel, Spain and Abigail in Opera Nova’s concert production of Verdi’s Nabucco.
Paulina began singing alongside her late father Gus under the baton of the late John Potter. She has played leading roles in Carmen, The King and I, Bartered Bride, Tales of Hoffman, The Magic Flute, La Forza del destino and sung extensively in recitals and oratorio across the region. Oratorio performances include works by Handel, Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart. Paulina is a principal soprano with Opera Nova making her debut with them in 2001.