Bristol Ensemble join If Opera for the 2022 Season

For If Opera’s 2022 summer season we are joined by the Bristol Ensemble as our resident orchestra.  Given there is an enormous variety of styles in the 2022 repertoire (most notably the contrast between the soaring theatricality of Puccini to the melancholic beauty of Purcell), the ensemble is carefully chosen to bring each production to life.

It is an important aspect of If Opera’s remit to source talent from the local community where possible, and with Bristol Ensemble being so close to us, both geographically and in terms of their ethos, it is a perfect partnership.

How did the ensemble come to be?
Founded in 1994 and originally known as the Emerald Ensemble, the Bristol Ensemble was the brainchild of CEO and principal violinist Roger Huckle. Having previously been a member of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway Roger yearned for a better work/life balance in order to spend more time with his young family, which being a touring orchestral musician didn’t allow.  He still wanted to make music, however, so on returning to Bristol he teamed up with some like-minded players to form a musician’s collective. The initial performances sold out, and given the success of these first few concerts Roger discovered there was an appetite for a regular series of concerts in Bristol.

Fast forward 25 years and Bristol Ensemble is now at the forefront of musical life in Bristol and the Southwest.  One of the driving factors that has helped achieve this is the number of high calibre players that the ensemble can call upon, as Roger Huckle notes:

“As the years have gone on, and especially since Covid, more and more players have moved out of London and have settled in the Southwest, so we have been able to build on the artistic standards of the group with really great musicians.”

It now has a busy schedule of concerts and collaborations, and its partnership with If Opera is a natural development of its desire to focus on community and the Southwest.  It also has a thriving education programme, Preludes, which provides musical workshops and training to over 2000 children across disadvantaged schools in Bristol each week. The aim being to put music at the heart of every child’s education, to improve their confidence, coordination, and communication. 

Another significant aspect of common ground between the two organisations is the sense of equality among the members.  BE Artistic Director, Simon Kodurand, describes how the ensemble’s ethos is mirrored in If Opera :

“It’s a really great atmosphere where everyone is working towards a common goal.  Everyone at If Opera is on an equal footing, so whether you are a lead singer, stagehand, or a makeup artist, there is no overriding sense of superiority or ego getting in the way.  We try to work in the same way in the Bristol Ensemble, as the only way to put on a successful performance is if everyone in the group is supported and given the opportunity to work at their best.”

And therein lies the truth, the importance of a brilliant team for a brilliant production, and we’re delighted to have found it, not only in the artists of this year’s If Opera company - but also in the talented individuals that make up Bristol Ensemble.

La rondine

Violin 1 - Simon Kodurand, Roger Huckle, Paul Barrett, Matt Everett
Violin 2 - Marian Givens, Nivedita Sarneth, Gisele Boll, Emily Blogg
Viola - Fran Higgs, Bernard Kane, Laura Galletta
Cello - Harriet Wiltshire, Jane Fenton
Bass - Jub Davis
Flute - Roger Armstrong
Oboe - Imogen Triner
Clarinet - David Pagett, Helen Bishop
Bassoon - Sally Bartholomew
Horn - Mark Kane, Laura Tanner
Trumpet - Gavin Wells
Bass Trombone - Luke Gilbert
Harp - Eluned Pierce
Celeste - Charles Kilpatrick
Timpani/Percussion - Jeremy Little

Il segreto di Susanna

Violin - Simon Kodurand, Roger Huckle
Viola - Fran Higgs
Cello - Harriet Wiltshire
Bass - Jub Davis
Flute - Roger Armstrong
Oboe - Imogen Triner
Clarinet - David Pagett
Bassoon - Sally Bartholomew
Horn - Mark Kane, Laura Tanner
Trumpet - Gavin Wells
Timpani / Percussion - Jeremy Little
Piano - Charles Kilpatrick

Dido & Aeneas

Violin - Simon Kodurand, Jo Green
Viola - Rachel Byrt
Cello - Harriet Wiltshire
Baroque Harp - Lise Vandersmissen
Theorbo / Baroque Guitar - James Bramley