On 16th August we will be welcoming Nicky Spence OBE to give a lunchtime talk. This is certain to be highly entertaining because Nicky Spence is an extremely charismatic and larger than life character. A Scottish born operatic tenor, he regularly performs in opera, oratorio and recital in both the UK and internationally.
He created the role of Brian in the world premiere of Nico Muhly's opera Two Boys in 2011. Other roles at ENO have included The Novice in Billy Budd. David in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Steva in Jenůfa, Alwa in Lulu, and Francesco in Benvenuto Cellini directed by Terry Gilliam. He was also Peter Grimes in the WNO performance of Britten’s opera this April in Southampton.
This year’s trip to Glyndebourne will be on 26th October. A coach will collect those would like a lift from the Park and Ride car park in Winchester. We will be watching Benjamin Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
On November 22nd, we will be hearing from Tyler Stoops MBA who has been Chief Executive Officer at the Grange Festival since June 2024. Prior to that, as Director of Audience Development at Glyndebourne, he led audience and revenue growth at Glyndebourne. This included efforts to add Festival performances and to grow an expanded Autumn season. He has previously held roles at the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera and The Santa Fe Opera across artistic, production planning, media, and learning and participation. He has also had substantial corporate experience with Amazon and Disney.
Tyler will talk to our members about his transition from Glyndebourne to the Grange Festival and his thoughts about developments at the Grange.