About the Masterclass

What makes a great artist? Find out from Sir Mark Elder, chief conductor of The Hallé, operatic bass Brindley Sherratt and acclaimed song pianist Samling Artist Jonathan Ware as they share their perspectives and insights with eight rising stars of classical music.

The six singers and two pianists who you will see in this unique afternoon have spent an intensive residential week at Marchmont House, refining every aspect of their artistry with the celebrated Samling Artist Programme. In an intimate and informal setting, you’ll hear them working on a variety of song and opera repertoire with our leaders and discover how artists create the magic of a world-class performance.

Samling Artist Programme Masterclass image
Soprano Olivia Boen and pianists Michael Sikich and Ilan Kurtser, Samling Artist Programme Masterclass, Marchmont House. Photo credit: Mark Pinder

Event Timing

1.30pm – 4.45pm Six 20-minute masterclasses, with a 30-minute interval.
Ticket includes tea and cake served during the interval.

Return transport from Berwick-upon-Tweed station is available at an additional charge and can be booked with your ticket.

Depart Berwick station 12.40pm
(Meeting trains arriving 12.26pm from Edinburgh and 12.26pm from Newcastle)

Return service connects with trains leaving 17.43pm to Edinburgh and 17.53pm to Newcastle

Samling Artist Masterclass at Marchmont in the Lorimer Music Room, photo credit: Mark Pinder

The Samling Artists

Aleksandra Chernenko soprano
Jessica Cale soprano
Melissa Gregory mezzo-soprano
Emma Roberts mezzo-soprano
Jeremy Kleeman baritone
Edward Kim baritone

Emily Hoh piano Ella O’Neill piano

With staff pianist Samling Artist Jo Ramadan

The running order and repertoire will be announced the day before the event.

The Leaders

Sir Mark Elder

Sir Mark Elder has been Music Director of the Hallé since September 2000, and became Principal Guest Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2022. He was Music Director of English National Opera (1979-1993), Principal Guest Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (1992 – 1995) and has held positions as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Mozart Players. He has worked with many of the world's leading orchestras and opera houses, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, London Philharmonic, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera New York, Glyndebourne Festival and Bayreuth.

Brindley Sherratt

British bass Brindley Sherratt is noted for his extraordinary vocal and stage presence in roles such as Claggart Billy Budd, Gurnemanz Parsifal, Hunding Die Walküre and Sarastro Die Zauberflöte. Roles for 2022/23 include Doktor Wozzeck and Sarastro (Royal Opera House); Swallow Peter Grimes (Bayerische Staatsoper) and Gurnemanz with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Edward Gardner. He was born into a family of strong singers but initially studied trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music. After winning several opera competitions which he entered “for experience” he went on to study singing full time. He is a Visiting Professor at the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Music.

Samling Artist Jonathan Ware

Song accompanist and chamber musician Jonathan Ware appears regularly in the world’s leading recital venues and works with some of today’s most exciting Lieder singers. His 2022/23 season includes recitals at Bayerischer Rundfunk, Kölner Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Philharmonie Luxembourg Mozartfest Augsburg, Spivey Hall and Wigmore Hall. His most recent recording in a rapidly expanding discography is ‘This Be Her Verse’ with Golda Schultz. Born in Texas, Jonathan studied at the Eastman School of Music, Juilliard School and the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, Berlin, where he now teaches, alongside a position on the music staff at Barenboim–Said Academy.

Jo Ramadan, Samling Artist Staff Pianist

Pianist Jo Ramadan is accompanist and professor of vocal repertoire and the Royal College of Music. He is Assistant Conductor and pianist with The Mozartists and has recently been Assistant Conductor at Drottningholm Festival for Handel Ariodante and at Grange Festival for Britten A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He is also a conductor and tutor at Oxenfoord International Summer School. He regularly works with Samling Institute, most recently as Music Director for Samling Academy summer concerts.

About the Samling Institute

The Northumberland-based Samling Institute for Young Artists is widely recognised as a leading global authority in the training of young voices. Since 1996, we have nurtured and inspired hundreds of young singers and pianists setting them on the road to success through programmes led by world-renowned opera singers, song specialists, accompanists, coaches and actors.

Samling Artist Programme provides intensive residential masterclass weeks, performance and professional development opportunities to early-career singers and piano accompanists. It offers a crucial bridge at what for many can be a difficult and insecure period between formal education and professional life.

There are now 380 Samling Artists, from every continent, many of whom have subsequently forged impressive international careers. Frequently our Samling Artists tell us that their experience with us is often the most enduring, formative and transformative training they have received.

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Cancellation and Refund Policy

Our cancellation period is 14 days in advance.

We will happily offer a refund or a credit for a later date before then, please do get in touch.

Should we cancel the event for any reason you will receive a complete refund.

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