Newyddion

Adam Gilbert, Tenor joins WNO as an Associate Artist

25th November, 2020

At the end of a year that’s been very difficult worldwide and seen live music performance come to a standstill due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re thrilled to share some good news and positivity as we look forward.

To mark the 75th anniversary of Welsh National Opera, the company is launched a new associate artist programme as part of efforts to develop young talent.

The company is formalising its associate scheme for singers for the first time in seven years thanks to newly secured funding. Following an intensive auditions programme by the company in five cities nationwide prior to the Covid outbreak, we’re thrilled that Adam was selected as one of the successful singers to join the Cardiff based company for a year-long traineeship. Whilst the original plans for the new Associate Artists have sadly been unable to be fulfilled due to Covid restrictions, we hope that a gradual return to normality next year will allow Adam to tackle a variety of roles, covers, concerts and take advantage of a year of intense coaching from the internationally renowned Opera Company. He will also be mentored by the programme’s Ambassador, soprano Rebecca Evans, and the programme will be monitored and supported by WNO’s Head of Artistic Management and Head of Music.

This news is especially exciting for Adam as he only moved up to the tenor repertoire, relatively recently. Adam spent 10 years as a baritone, studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and National Opera Studio in London, subsequently working with renowned companies across the UK and Europe before hitting the high notes and moving up into the tenor repertoire.  Following his move to tenor he has already debuted the role of Florestan in Beethoven’s Fidelio and was engaged as Tenor Soloist with English National Opera’s Opera Squad in 2019.  Adam, who lives in Cenarth, West Wales, is also a singing teacher for local students, choirs and for local theatre group, Dynamix Performing Arts.

“I am truly delighted to become an Associate Artist, it’s a dream to work more with WNO as they are not only an incredible company but they are also my local opera company and one which I feel a real affiliation with and I can’t wait to get started with them.”