As a registered Charity, Opera Foundry was a Surrey-based Opera Company, serving London and the South East, by actively mentoring the skills of individual opera performers through rigourous coaching and challenging performance objectives. In October 2021, the Trustees, after a long period of public inactivity, decided to dissolve the registered charity as unsustainable. Those of us who have given
of our time, expertise and vision to this project remain proud of what has been achieved in the past: For several years we managed to provide selected individual opera singers, and repetiteurs with a framework and active guidance to develop their skills in the medium of opera to the highest possible musical standards, building both artistry and technique, whilst providing bespoke performance opportunities to present that work. At one stage Opera Foundry had an active membership of performing solo singers travelling from as far as Dorset, Bedfordshire, Kent and Northamptonshire. Anyone who attended concerts at that time knows how good these singers were, and all of them have been endorsed by engagements with other companies. This is testament to the quality of ensemble, coaching and direction, as well as the underlying ethos of the company. For our audiences, we showcased our singers through themed concerts, without gimmicks or additives. The performances were all carefully curated and directed high quality musical events, usually with very simple strong staging to aid the immersivity of the narrative. The performances, by 2017-18, were truly starting to realise our vision, being energetic and passionate but also highly disciplined, clear and informed. Above all, they connected the audience powerfully and directly to the composer's musical story-telling. It is no accident that these performances were enjoyed by both seasoned opera lovers and new audiences alike. The Opera Foundry Brand remains with Richard Cartmale, around whose Artistic Vision the company was built. The name may resurface, in future, but not as a registered Charity. Opera Foundry's Director and Retiring Trustees thank you for your interest. Richard Cartmale's own new website will have further information (opening mid November 2021).
