News

Our monthly round-up of some of the successes for Trinity Laban alumni.

Premieres and Performances

October saw many exciting premieres and performances from our alumni. Oona Doherty’s Navy Blue premiered in the UK at Sadler’s Wells. The piece was reviewed in the Guardian, who also interviewed Oona in the lead up to the premiere.  

Sandeep Gurrapadi appeared in The Shoemaker with the Welsh National Opera. 

Adrien Mastrosimone’s show What Makes A Man returned to Vienna this month. 

Manu Delago appeared in concert with Anouska Shankar and the Britten Sinfonia. 

Nardus Williams featured as Contessa Almaviva in Glyndebourne’s The Marriage of Figaro, which ran at the venue this month, and will tour in November. Nardus is also highlighted in The Arts Desk’s review of Wigmore Hall’s recent Vaughan Williams anniversary concert. 

Ayanna Witter-Johnson has been on tour with Andrea Bocelli this month. 

Dance Umbrella’s digital festival featured Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui’s SAY: AF (And Friends), as well as two film pieces from Oona Doherty. 

Dai Fujikura’s Glorious Clouds received its UK premiere at the BBCSO’s anniversary concert this month. 

Gothic Opera, created by Beatrice De Larragoti, Alice Usher, and Charlotte Osborn, ran a double bill of Louise Bertin’s Le Loup-garou and Pauline Viardot’s Le dernier sorcier at The Round Chapel in Hackney from 27 October to 1 November, with fellow alumni Ashley Mercer, Anna McLachlan, Lars Fischer, and Ellie Kemp in the cast. 

Corrie Dick released her new album Sun Swells this month. Fellow alumni Laura Jurd and Dave Malkin also feature on the album. 

Jessica Walker’s Scene/Unseen, an autobiographical cabaret performance, received this review from West End Best Friend. Scene/Unseen is available on English Touring Opera’s website until December. 

 

Interviews and Features

Several alumni were interviewed and appeared in some great features this month. Matthew Bourne was interviewed in the Guardian, discussing storytelling in dance. 

Valentina Ciardelli and Anna Astesano featured in the Strad, ahead of the UK premiere of their harp and double bass duo work Ruutsu this month. 

Moses Boyd featured in a video interview for British audio brand Bowers and Wilkin. 

Reader’s Digest’s recent article on the UK jazz scene draws attention to Ezra Collective, Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, and Tomorrow’s Warriors. Several more alumni feature on their list of 50 Inspirational young UK jazz artists and composers to listen to, including:

• Moses Boyd 
• Cherise Adams-Burnett 
• Xhosa Cole 
• Elliot Galvin 
• Nubya Garcia 
• Deschanel Gordon 
• Laura Jurd 
• Cassie Kinoshi 
• Mark Kavuma 
• Sheila Maurice-Grey 

 

Announcements and Awards

Announcements and awards also saw many alumni in the news this month. 

The shortlists for the 2022 International Opera Awards, which will be held in November, have been announced. Nardus Williams and John Savournin both appear in the Rising Talent category. 

The 2022 Jazz FM Awards were held this month. Emma-Jane Thackeray won Album of the Year for Yellow, and Chelsea Carmichael won Breakthrough Act of the Year. Mark Kavuma was shortlisted for Instrumentalist of the Year, and Kokoroko was shortlisted for UK Jazz Act of the Year. 

Cecilia McDowall has been nominated for a 2022 Ivors Academy Composition Award for her piece There is no rose.  

 

Coming Up

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! will be screened in cinemas in November.  

Bethany Horak-Hallet is one of the soloists for Really Big Chorus’ Messiah from Scratch at the Royal Albert Hall in November. 

EFG London Jazz Festival returns in November, with many jazz alumni lined up to perform. 

Sheila Maurice-Grey and Chelsea Carmichael will be performing at Jazzfest Berlin in November. 

James Darch has been cast as Gino Bartali in Glory Ride at The Other Palace, running 14 to 16 November.