News & Views

Member Spotlight: Myrianne Fleur - soprano

Audition Oracle – Wed 18 Dec 2024 @ 8:22

This weeks member spotlight warmly welcomes French soprano Myrianne Fleur

Myrianne Fleur - Soprano

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

Lyrical singer, soprano

 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

I'm a doctor in sports medicine: it helps me understand the body and the muscles and practice weight training and stretching.

 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

Singing Rossini's Stabat Mater in Lisinski Hall in Zabreg with the National Choir and Orchestra of Croatia.

 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

I am dreaming about singing on stage at the Opéra Bastille or the MET; my dream role would be either Leonore in Fidelio or Isabel in Lessons in Love and Violence (George Benjamin).

 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

Creating emotions in people (colleagues and public), and developing my emotional skills also.

 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Travel more to learn how to sing and try to enter the CNSMDP [Conservatoire de Paris], and if it works, take a break from my medical studies.

 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Determination, Work and Emotion

 

 

 

Our featured Member Spotlight artists are picked by random draw from Audition Oracle members who have submitted their answers to our Member Spotlight interview questions. If you would like the chance to feature in a Member Spotlight, please submit your answers here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSea8IrUeDbOx9jhVH0SYrAFoYKK1MOhmpmvrBa0sDKbrBzCeQ/viewform

 

 

 

If you are not already an Audition Oracle member, please register for a basic free account in order to be eligible.

 

 

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Member Spotlight: Eugene Dillon-Hooper - Bass

Audition Oracle – Tue 10 Dec 2024 @ 13:02

This week we are delighted to welcome the talented British/Irish bass Eugene Dillon-Hooper as our member spotlight.

Eugene is a full time member of The Royal Opera chorus where he and his excellent colleagues frequently enjoy stepping into supporting roles at this world renown opera house.

Eugene Dillon-Hooper - Bass

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

British/Irish operatic Bass

 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

Birdwatching, photography and most importantly being a parent. Becoming a step-dad taught me to totally be myself and a role model within all facets of my life. Being on stage without limitations but still grounded by core values has allowed me to grow as a performer, a creative and a person.

 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

There's two... My first full performance at the ROH as a member of the RO Chorus, opening night of Peter Grimes and my solo ROH debut as Count Ceprano (Rigoletto) with my partner and two kids cheering me on.

 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

I always used to tell myself that if I got a full-time chorus job, I'd have made it. But now I'm here, my drive is to sing Colline on stage at the ROH... I'm working on it!

 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

I get to do a job I love every day, it almost never feels like work.

 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Learn the piano and keep up your languages after GCSE

 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Patience, perseverance and collaboration

 

8. Where can our follower see you next?:

Aside from the many choruses we do, in 2025 I'll be performing Leif in the world premiere of Festen for the Royal Ballet and Opera and Haydn's Creation at the English Haydn Festival in Bridgnorth.

 

For tickets to Festen at the Royal Opera House - https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/this-insights-event-will-be-filmed-and-streamed-live1-details

To hear Eugene as the bass soloist for Haydan's Creation at the English Haydn Festival see https://englishhaydn.com/programmebookings.html#/ in the new year!

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Member Spotlight: Madeline Boreham - Soprano

Audition Oracle – Tue 3 Dec 2024 @ 18:08

Fresh from her exciting jump in as Mimi in La bohème with English National Opera, we are delighted to welcome British soprano Madeline Boreham for this week's member spotlight.

Madeline Boreham - soprano

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

I come from a real ‘salt-of-the-earth’ family and try to stay as connected to those roots as I can. I try to keep things fun and light as much as I can whilst also being completely dedicated to my music and performance. What is singing without joy, at the end of the day?

 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

I am a big reader! On days when I’m not singing, I love nothing more than to get comfy with a fantasy book and a nice cup of coffee. My favourite thing to read is strong female main characters, I find that I connect strongly with a lot of them and oftentimes will be able to find some links to characters that I am working on musically!

 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

I recently jumped in for 7 performances as Mimi at ENO when the main soprano fell ill. I learnt a huge amount about not only how to perform on such a large stage, singing such an iconic role, but also how to take care of myself off-stage before and after a performance. This career is a huge mental playground and working out how to navigate it is half the challenge!

 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

I’ve regularly said that if I was ever to perform at Metropolitan Opera in New York, I could die with a smile on my face. I have never been over to New York and to me it feels like the ultimate goal. To sing any principal soprano role out there would be an absolute dream!

 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

I love collaborating with others. Getting to know other artists and finding out how they work is so fascinating to me. I was once described as a ‘sponge for information’ and I just love soaking up ideas and knowledge from other people I work with!

 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Trust your instinct. It’s important to listen to everyone around you but don’t get caught up on the little things. When something doesn’t feel right, listen to that feeling. Let your instinct propel you forward! 

 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Poise, Curiosity and Joy

 

8. Where can our followers hear you next?

As the Christmas season approaches, I have a number of choral solo performances but I am really looking forward to being the soprano soloist for the beautiful ‘Ode to the Nativity’ by Parry on 11th December with UAE Choirs at The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich.

 

For tickets, please visit https://www.uea.ac.uk/events/uea-choirs-christmas-carol-concert. Keep up todate with all Madeline's news here - https://www.madelineboreham.com/diary

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Member Spotlight: Lucy Thalange - Mezzo-Soprano

Audition Oracle – Mon 25 Nov 2024 @ 17:18

This week we welcome British mezzo-soprano Lucy Thalange as our Member Spotlight. Lucy is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and Drama.

 Lucy Thalange - Mezzo Soprano


1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

I adore coloratura and patter music, Poulenc and Rossini are my love languages.
 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

I really enjoy boxing. It’s all about grounding yourself and understanding how every part of your body works. A lot of coordination is involved, and it’s great cardio so good for stamina on stage!
 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

I had a role written for me - The Archaeologist - in a new opera called When the Sky Cracks Open by George Parris. We performed the premiere at the Tête-à-tête Opera Festival. Realising and performing that role for a contemporary opera festival, alongside the composer was one of the most exciting musical experiences I’ve had.
 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

I would love to be Cenerentola or Carmen at Opéra National de Paris or the Royal Opera House in London.
 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

You know how they say ‘when you can’t express something adequately by speaking, sing’? I have the privilege of doing that for a living, I get to feel every emotion I have to its depth whenever I want. Not on stage? Fine, I’ll go practice!
 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

It will be ok, just focus on your own development and stop letting other people influence your own feelings of self worth. You are worthy.
 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Exploration, Trust, Friendship
 

8. Where can our followers support you next?:

I’m taking on the wonderful role of Carmen with Opera Integra. The shows are in March and it’s already shaping up to be quite exciting!
 
 
 
Check our Lucy's Audition Oracle Profile and website to keep up-to-date with her latest news.

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Member Spotlight: Anthony Flaum - Tenor

Audition Oracle – Sat 16 Nov 2024 @ 17:35

This week's Member Spotlight welcomes British Tenor Anthony Flaum. 

 

Anthony Flaum - Tenor

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?

Singer, actor, producer, Artistic Director for Barefoot Opera, CEO of Prologue Opera and general opera-preneur!
 

2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?

My family. Landscape photography, beach and skyscapes, archaeology, driving around the country, travel, cooking, mixology, languages, being an Excel geek! Many things inspire and interest me. Passion is found in many places.
 

3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?

A prison project with Pimlico Opera where I sang Valjean in Les Mis. 6 weeks of rehearsals with the inmates, some of whom I kept in touch with, some of whom came out to get jobs backstage. An unbelievably intense, at times heart-breaking, yet ultimately wonderfully positive experience. We also got to meet Queen Camilla as well, who then was just “Camilla”! Also, most recently, a wonderful project at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield run by Music in the Round where I sung Theseus in Jonathan Dove’s Monster in the Maze (and got to meet him!)….but it was so humbling to be part of such a nurturing and positive community project like that.
 

4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?

Dreams....well, dream big! In opera, it’s got to be the big dramatic roles in pieces by Tschaikowsky or Verdi e.g. Hermann, Otello. However, vocally I’m probably more suited to lyric roles. From other genres – Camille in Merry Widow, Tony in West Side Story (please!). A juicy acting role somewhere like the National Theatre, the Almeida, the Crucible - contemporary or classic. Chris in Miss Saigon - anywhere!

Plus, a number of dream ideas down here in Hastings - both as a producer and as a singer. So watch this space!!
 

5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?

That you get to make people forget about their everyday lives and lose themselves in a story/world that you are helping to create. For a suspended amount of time, however short, people forget about their troubles and are moved/laugh/cry. Expressing emotion is so important and to be a conduit for that sort of release is a wonderful thing.
 

6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Trust your gut - I did the finance degree and went into banking. I knew it wasn't for me and gradually made my way into the industry. Although, I wouldn't change anything about my past, I think perhaps I might have got opportunities quicker had I made the leap earlier! Also, practise more!!
 

7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:

Versatility. Reputation. Learning.
 

8. Upcoming performances:

Planning next year’s educational outreach project of a children’s opera called RED to schools in Sussex as well as a tour of Lucia di Lammermoor (both for Barefoot Opera). Further performances of Becoming Tosca with Prologue Opera and a nice La bohème with Opera South East. Plus, further work on a business idea in the theatre industry to do with sustainability!
 
 
Keep up-to-date with all Anthony's latest projects by visiting his website and his Audition Oracle Profile Page.

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