09 November 2024
Newsdesk
Innovative and inclusive opera company Barefoot Opera has shared the exciting announcement of a new Artisitic Director and new Marketing Manager.
Local opera singer and producer Anthony Flaum is to become Artisitc Director. Anthony is a lyric tenor with a passion for the stage and has sung with many major UK opera companies including English National Opera, Scottish Opera and Grange Park Opera amongst others. He is passionate about performing, collaborating, education in the arts and broadening the reach of the artform.
Anthony shares his plans for the future of Barefoot Opera as Artistic Director, “For me, the beauty of opera is the collaboration of many different artists on and off stage, to create a world-class product that not only entertains but also provokes thought. What Barefoot does so wonderfully is finding new and impactful ways to reach out to the community through art and performance. From the work with primary school children discovering the arts for the first time, to those who don’t feel as though opera is accessible to them, Barefoot’s continuing aim will be to challenge preconceptions of what opera means and what it can achieve. My aspiration is that Barefoot becomes known for being “the” professional touring opera company of the South East that always puts community at the heart of our work. Next year’s tour will go to a number of venues and communities that are new to Barefoot, widening our reach and people’s access to the artform. As I am welcomed into the Barefoot organisation, my plan is to build on the wonderful work Barefoot has already established. Supported by a strong Board of Trustees, the wonderful Founder & Outreach Director Jenny Miller and a burgeoning audience and community of friends and followers, I look forward to the challenge.”
Charlotte Tingley, a highly experienced marketing executive and theatre professional, will be taking on the role of Barefoot’s Marketing Manager. Charlotte is a classically trained singer and pianist. She also has a number of years’ experience in marketing, with a focus on events, campaigns, fundraising and for a variety of target audiences. She was a key component of the excellent marketing campaign that surrounded the last tour and will no doubt bring fresh ideas and directions for the company going forward.
Charlotte adds what she plans to bring to the business in her new role, “I am incredibly excited to get stuck into my new role as Marketing Manager, combining my extensive marketing experience with my incredible passion for theatre, art and performance. I hope to draw new audiences to Barefoot Opera’s inspiring upcoming events, sharing the experience of opera in a new way for the whole community.”
Company Founder & Outreach Director, Jenny Miller, will remain an artistic doyenne to the business with an ongoing focus on Community, Education and Outreach that forms the heart of many of Barefoot’s projects. Jenny founded Barefoot Opera, based in St. Leonards-on-sea, in 2011, to produce high-quality, inclusive performances, train emerging young professionals and engage new audiences and participants. It is this community effort that has allowed Barefoot to receive ACE funding and earn the trust of local foundations, donors, friends and audiences to support the company.
Jenny shares her thoughts about Barefoot Opera’s exciting future, “I am eager to see what the future of Barefoot Opera looks like as I hand over general direction to Anthony with the strong right hand of Charlotte. They both understand the artist’s process and the singer’s world as well as having practical management skills to deploy. For the past three years, we’ve been on a remarkable journey with our Young Artists Tour, staging a diverse array of operas that resonate with audiences across genres and communities. I am going to continue to develop Barefoot Opera training and explore the ways in which we can kindle the love for opera - everyone should be able to access these treasures. Anthony and Charlotte bring new ideas and new energy to the Barefoot Opera community - exciting times lie ahead.”
Find out more about Barefoot Opera here: barefootopera.com/
Explore Barefoot Opera’s upcoming events: barefootopera.com/upcoming-events/
