Samling Institute for Young Artists invites you to an intimate afternoon of music-making in the company of celebrated French soprano Véronique Gens and her musical partner pianist Susan Manoff. They will work with six singers and two pianists to show you how great artists craft and refine their performances and they will share their extensive experience of song and opera with you.
This public event comes at the end of an intensive residential week here at Marchmont which previous participants have described as ‘life changing’, and the close working relationships that have built up over the week make for a lively and challenging masterclass like no other.
‘An involving day of wonderful singing and playing with fascinating insights into the learning processes of young musicians.’
Kate Calder, Edinburgh Music Review
Véronique Gens
02:00 pm – 05:15 pm - Six twenty-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. This will leave from Berwick station at 01:00 pm and the return service connects with trains leaving Berwick after 06:00 pm. Please note, this service is available to anyone looking to come from Berwick-Upon-Tweed, and not just those travelling by train.
Previous Samling Artist Programme masterclasses at Marchmont, March 2025.
Photo credits: Mark Pinder.
Manon Ogwen Parry soprano
Georgie Malcolm soprano
Sofia Kirwan-Baez soprano
Cláudia Ribas mezzo-soprano
Patrick Dow baritone
Michael Ronan bass-baritone
Alfie Fardell piano
Daniel Peter Silcock piano
With staff pianist Samling Artist, Ian Tindale
Véronique Gens, soprano
Véronique Gens is one of France’s best loved sopranos, enjoying a distinguished career in opera, concert, recitals and recordings, and recognised for her interpretations of Mozart and of French repertory. Her appearance as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence with Claudio Abbado brought her worldwide recognition and since then she has appeared on the world’s leading operatic stages and on more than 80 recordings. Her numerous awards include the rank of Chevalier in La Légion d'Honneur.
Susan Manoff, pianist
Pianist Susan Manoff was born in New York of Latvian and German descent. She specialises in vocal and chamber music and performs at major international festivals and concert halls. She collaborates regularly with Véronique Gens and their album ‘Néère’ won a prestigious Gramophone Award. She has also recorded with Sandrine Piau, Patricia Petibon and Adèle Charvet. She is currently a professor at the Paris Conservatoire and was named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2011.
Ian Tindale, Samling Artist Staff Pianist
Increasingly in demand across the UK and Europe, Ian Tindale has partnered singers at Wigmore Hall, Palau de la Música and Het Concertgebouw. Recent highlights include recitals from the Hay Festival with Soraya Mafi and the Edinburgh International Festival with Samling Artist Nick Pritchard, both broadcast on BBC Radio 3. In 2024 he released his debut recital disc of Schubert songs with Samling Artist Harriet Burns. He is the founding Artistic Director of Shipston Song, the UK’s newest song festival.
Northumberland-based Samling Institute for Young Artists is widely recognised as a leading global authority in the training of young voices. Since 1996, the charity has nurtured and inspired many hundreds of young singers and pianists setting them on the road to success through programmes led by world-renowned opera singers, conductors, 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 over 420 Samling Artists, from 47 countries, many of whom have subsequently forged impressive international careers. Frequently Samling Artists say that this programme is often the most enduring, formative and transformative training they have received.
Dogs are not permitted during tours or concerts other than registered Guide Dogs.
Our cancellation policy is 14 days in advance.
We will happily offer a refund or a credit for a later date before then.
Should we cancel the event for any reason you will receive a complete refund.
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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