September is Foreign language month at Jackdaws – and we’re celebrating with leading experts in foreign language Art songs. We’ve invited French language specialist Robin Bowman and Russian language coach to the Royal Opera House Alexandre Naoumenko, to spend a weekend each with you in Great Elm.
Robin Bowman worked as assistant to Pierre Bernac (the singer for whom Poulenc wrote more than half of his songs) throughout the 1970s, was French consultant for the National Opera Studio from 1978 to 2008. At the same time, he worked at the Académie Maurice Ravel and became Head of Academic Studies then Head of Vocal Studies at the Guildhall School between 1985 and 2008. He was a judge at the Kathleen Ferrier competition and in his retirement now works as a visiting tutor at the Birmingham Conservatoire, continuing his music courses such as those Jackdaws during the summer.
Born in Lipetsk, halfway between Moscow and Volograd, Alexandre Naoumenko is a graduate from the Moscow Tchaikowsky Conservatoire and the Moscow Opera Studio.
As a tenor, he has performed roles from the great Russian opera repertoire with some of the biggest companies on the most prestigious stages; the ENO, at the Concertgebouw, Royal Albert Hall and in Bolshoi Hall. He has taught at the Moscow Conservatory and works with prestigious orchestras such as the LSO Chorus, London Philharmonic and CBSO. For the past ten years he has been Russian language coach to the Royal Opera House.
Jackdaws courses are so successful because we are so careful about which tutors we invite. Alexandre and Robin have worked closely Jackdaws for many years.
This September Alexandre and Robin visit Jackdaws to lead their “Singing in…” Language vocal courses. Both Singing in Russian and Singing in French are open to singers of any ability and address the key issues of singing in the respective languages as well as general vocal technique and health. You are invited to bring songs from your own repertoire or those which you are currently studying to work on with these eminent professionals.
Singing in French
with Robin Bowman
Friday 4 – Sunday 6 September
Singing in Russian
with Alexandre Naoumenko
Friday 18 – Sunday 20 September