Just in: Dartington appoints a Creative Director
NewsThe Devon estate, which lost its entire artistic staff to a walkout three months ago, has appointed the baritone Mark Stone (pictured) as Creative Director and the conductor Gavin Carr as Course Director.
The plan is to stage Dartington ChoralFest 2024, a new format for the 75-year-old summer school.
Tutors will include pianist Kelvin Lim (Longborough Opera, Opera Holland Park), mezzo-sopranos Sarah Pring (Professor at Guildhall, coach on Sky Arts/ENO’s Anyone Can Sing), Victoria Simmonds (Opera Holland Park, ENO), Allison Cook (Zürich Opera) and Lada Valešová (2023 OffWestEnd winner with Hampstead Garden Opera) tenors Daniel Norman (Zürich Opera, ENO) and Andrew Rees (London Concert Choir, Grange Park Opera), and bass James Platt (Royal Opera House, Welsh National Opera). The teaching team will also give evening recitals.
None of the named artists is of the international renown claimed by past tutors at Dartington, from Igor Stravinsky to Thomas Adès.
Not of international renown? Hampstead Garden Opera, Holland Park – what’s not international?
I’m sure it was a tough recruitment, though come to think of it, I don’t recall seeing the role advertised.
A great appointment of a great artist and gentleman – with an equally strong knowledge of all things in finance. He would bring hope to a new ENO. Good for Dartington. They are lucky to have him.
I’ve regularly attended Dartington Summer School since 1980 (Peter Maxwell’s first year as music director). I’ve no objection to singing and choral music but don’t I remember there used to be other genres – chamber music, instrumental music and so on? Perhaps it was just a dream!
I’ll be going to the Music Summer School and Festival in Norfolk for an eclectic programme and lots of familiar faces. https://www.mssf.org.uk/
In the William Glock era Dartington was an indispensable bridge between Europe and the UK. It hasn’t had that role for decades. Unfortunately, that bridge is desperately needed right now.
Singers for amateur singers – perfect!