Renowned TV, film and stage actor, Adrian Lester, CBE, will lead a public masterclass at Marchmont House on Saturday 7 March, sharing his insights gained over his illustrious performance career with eight rising stars of classical music as part of the Samling Artist Programme.
Adrian’s many credits include the BBC series Hustle, a lead role in the film Primary Colors and stage appearances on the West End and Broadway, which gained him an Olivier Award for Best Actor and a Tony Award nomination. Last year he made his debut at the Royal Shakespeare Company in the title role of Cyrano de Bergerac, in a critically acclaimed production that transfers to the West End this summer. Speaking about the week, he said:
“I am honoured to have been asked to join the Institute for a week of classes and detailed work on performance. Whenever I get asked to teach in this way I always walk away learning more than I have taught. I am looking forward to meeting the dedicated students and other practitioners in such a beautiful setting.”
Scottish pianist Malcolm Martineau OBE and mezzo-soprano Anna Stéphany also join the line-up of leaders. Malcolm Martineau is one of the world’s greatest collaborative pianists and has worked with a long list of renowned singers in concert halls across the globe. He has appeared on over 100 recordings, for which he has won Gramophone Awards, the Diapason D’or and a Grammy. Originally from North East England, Anna Stéphany has appeared on opera stages across the world, including Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, Opéra National de Paris and the Bolshoi Theatre.
This masterclass is the first public event in Samling Institute’s 30th anniversary year and the charity is marking this milestone by celebrating the people at the heart of their work, as Artistic and Executive Director Karon Wright, MBE, explains: “Malcolm Martineau led our very first masterclass week, three decades ago and has been a key member of our leadership team since then. Samling Artist Anna Stéphany was previously a participant on this very programme, and now returns to support the next generation as a leader. We also welcome as a participant on this course tenor Philippe Durrant, who previously took part in our Samling Academy for younger singers in North East England while he was at university. Both Anna and Philippe are examples of our virtuous circle of musical excellence on a journey from student years through to experienced professionals.”
This public afternoon of song and opera comes at the end of an intensive residency when Adrian Lester, Malcolm. Martineau and Anna Stéphany will have challenged and stretched the participants to take their artistry to new levels. The trust and close working relationships that build up over this lifechanging week make for a uniquely engaging public class, when anything could happen.
