A retreat for opera singers who have given birth
OrchestrasThis seems really worthwhile:
Applications are open for the 2025 SWAP’ra Retreat at Snape Maltings, in partnership with Britten Pears Arts.
The SWAP’ra Retreat is a fully-funded, 5-day residential course providing intensive support, training, and skills development for parents who have recently given birth and are facing barriers to a returning to work as an opera singer.
Retreat dates: 3-7 March 2025
Application deadline: 5pm on 25 October 2024
Facilitators include Olivia Fuchs, Gillian Ramm, Hannah Sandison and Kate Valentine
For more information and to apply:
https://www.swap-ra.org/swapra-bpa-retreat
To hear from participants and facilitators from the SWAP’ra Retreat at Glyndebourne in 2023, have a look here:
https://www.swap-ra.org/swapra-glyndebourne-retreat
Excellent initiative. I wish more opera singers would have babies, it would bring an added dimension to their interpretations.
I remember Marion Studholme telling me how she used to leave her baby in a bassinet at the Inspizientenpult. Think how much more a soprano could bring to Suor Angelica if she were already a mother, for example.
Any thoughts on fatherhood bringing an added dimension to men’s interpretations?
Same, basically, but the article is about women. All opera singers should have more babies. they don’t have enough.
Hi RZ. Take a look at our website. SWAP’ra does a lot for all parents in opera and the wider classical music sector. But this particular project is for parents who have recently physically given birth as there is a lot of focus on rehabilitation of the music les used for singing etc in the Pilates and vocal workshops as well as the psychology sessions. Please do follow us for info on future projects for all parents.
This is a wonderful organisation that is changing how opera companies accommodate young mothers in the UK. There is an equivalent organistion in Germany, Buehnenmuetter.
Wonderful!
Thank you for sharing this x