The Joan Cooper Memorial lecture: the three great game changers of 19th Century opera: Verdi, Wagner & Puccini
The Joan Cooper Memorial lecture: the three great game changers of 19th Century opera: Verdi, Wagner & Puccini
Lecturer: Jamie Hayes
The world of opera is full of remarkable contributors, great game changers who leave the stage in a completely different place from the one they found. In the 19th century, three such men revolutionised the art form in three very different ways: Verdi, Wagner and Puccini. From the romantic heartbreak of La Traviata and Rigoletto via the mystery and magic of The Ring Cycle to the breath-taking melodrama of Tosca and La Bohème, enjoy their remarkable journeys and their innovative, dynamic and thrilling theatricality. This illustrated lecture will highlight the great opera productions which have graced the world’s opera houses.
After training at RADA Jamie Hayes graduated as a Stage Manager and subsequently worked for Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Bristol Old Vic and the BBC. He became an Assistant Director with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Kent Opera and English National Opera and soon began directing productions of his own. He has directed many new opera productions in the UK whilst other new opera productions overseas include Reykjavik, Malta and Melbourne. Jamie was Associate Director on the original production of the hit musical Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway. He has directed productions in all the major UK conservatoires and was Director of Productions for British Youth Opera for over a decade, a company devoted to promoting the talents of our finest young opera singers in the UK. Jamie is a regular enrichment programme lecturer for various leading cruise ship companies. He is married to the mezzo-soprano Jean Rigby and they have three sons.