Hertfordshire Opera
Welcome back!
Our next Opera: La Traviata
Step into a world of passion, drama, and unforgettable music! Hertfordshire Opera based in Watford, aims to revive the opera world in Hertfordshire with a stellar cast such as Bernice Clark (X Factor Finalist & memorable Queen of the Night with WNO), Arina Mkrtchian (Landing from The Grange Park Opera), Michael Doroszenko (Scottish Opera), Felix Boege (Germany) and others.
Background
Verdi's "La Traviata" is a breathtaking opera that has enchanted audiences worldwide for over a century. Step into a world of passion, drama, and unforgettable music! Based on Alexandre Dumas' novel and play "La Dame aux camélias", inspired by the life and death of the real Parisian courtesan Marie Duplessis, Verdi offered a more complex and loving nature than Dumas, highlighting Violetta's devotion to Alfredo. After its revision in 1854, "La Traviata" became enormously successful. It is currently the most performed opera in the world, and the role of Violetta, a favorite for many star sopranos. This extraordinary opera, told in three acts, explores timeless themes of love and sacrifice, resonating with audiences of all ages. Come and indulge yourself by ensuring an unforgettable evening of high drama and sublime music. Whether you're a seasoned opera aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, "La Traviata" offers an accessible and deeply moving experience.
OUR CAST
La Traviata 2024
Bernice Clark
Soprano
Bernice finished her MA in Opera Performance Course at RWCMD in 2019 and is now based in London and coached by Kelvin Lim.
She has sung roles as varied as Magda in Puccini’s La Rondine, Marie in Donizetti’s La fille du Regiment, Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte (directed by Donald Maxwell in 2017), Eurydice in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld (director Anna Poole, conducted by Gareth Jones, 2018), Queen of Night in Mozart’s Magic Flute (director Martin Constantine, conducted by Gareth Jones, July 2018) opera scenes of Giulietta - I Capuletti e I Montecchi, Cunégonde - Candide, Héro – Beatrice et Benedict, Anna – The Marry Wives of Windsor in the Opera Gala at RWCMD on 27th of November 2018 together with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra (Conductor: James Southall; director: Alma Sheehan), Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring (Conductor David Jones; director: Martin Constantine, March 2019), Violetta in La Traviata (NWOS, April 2021) and culminating in Madame Herz in “Die Schauspieldirektor” (Hertfordshire Opera, December 2023). She worked with National Opera Studio in 2023 and again in 2024. She was a finalist at the Croydon Concerto Competition in February 2024 and very thrilled to perform with Hertfordshire Opera Violetta in "La Traviata" at Watford Fringe Festival in July 2024 and Fiordiligi in November 2024 in "Cosi fan Tutte" at The Shaw Theatre, Euston.
She debuted with her first recital at the Wigmore Hall in 2013, followed in other venues such as St. Mary’s Perivale, at Queen Elisabeth Hall in 2015 and the Clothworkers’ Hall in 2016.
Teachers Tom Marandola, Margaret Humphrey Clark, John Evans and Suzanne Murphy assisted and influenced her up until present.
She reached the final live rounds of X Factor Romania in 2012 and participated in the final Romanian Eurovision National Selections in 2011, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Arina Mkrtchian
Mezzo-Soprano
Arina is an Armenian-Russian Mezzo-soprano. She completed her BA (Hons) in Music at Leeds College of Music, under the guidance of Adriana Festeu and Geraldine Cassidy. In the third year of her studies, she had the chance to learn the role of Nora in ‘The Riders to the Sea’ by R.V. Williams, which was the milestone that inspired her to apply for a postgraduate course in music performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She graduated from the David Seligman Opera School in 2023, where she was under the guidance of Anne Mason, Angela Livingstone, James Southall and John Fisher. Her recent roles were Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Mother Superior (Dialogues of the Carmelites) and Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi). She was also a semi-finalist at the Ian Stoutzker Vocal Prize (2023). Recent engagements as a soloist included singing the role of Flora with The SACO (March 2024) and being a mezzo soloist for Mozart’s “Requiem” with the with The Weston Choral Society (May 2024). Although singing is her first love, Arina is also hugely passionate about her native language and very much enjoys working as a Russian coach. This year Arina coached the BBC National Chorus of Wales for their performance of Shostakovich’s 13th Symphony (February 2024) and Epsom Chamber Choir for their performance of Steinberg’s “Passion Week”(March 2024). Arina just finished working with The Grange Park Opera for their performances of Rachmaninoff’s Aleko with Sir Bryn Terfel in the title role. Currently, Arina is studying with Adriana Festeu and is a music teacher at Sing Education and Miele Canto.