BGS pupil Poppy Hudson-Croker is undergoing months of professional opera training having landed a coveted role in a major theatre production.
Poppy, 12, who has been singing and performing since she was a young girl, successfully auditioned for Opera North’s upcoming tour of The Cunning Little Vixen and secured the cover role for two principal singers.
The Year 8 pupil will juggle her schoolwork with intensive rehearsals in preparation for the two-month tour in theatres across the North next year.
Poppy, from Leeds, said: “I was so shocked to be offered a soloist cover role, it’s such an incredible opportunity. Full-time company rehearsals throughout December and January will be intense, but I feel very lucky to be gaining so much professional vocal training alongside Opera North’s cast.”
Cover singers are opera’s equivalent of the Broadway understudy and Poppy will train for the roles of Pepik and Frantik, to replace the principal singers should one not be able to perform due to sickness, injury or for personal reasons.
She is already receiving professional voice coaching and, from December, rehearsals will ramp up to four afternoons a week for the young performer, who will have to take time away from the classroom.
Dr Simon Hinchliffe, headmaster, said: “We’re delighted she’s been offered a singing role; this is a tremendous opportunity for Poppy and we know she will be an asset to Opera North’s cast.”
Poppy will tour with Leeds-based Opera North from February 4 until April 1, taking the production to the Leeds Grand Theatre, The Lowry, the Theatre Royal in Nottingham, the Theatre Royal in Newcastle, and the Hull New Theatre.
“We’re delighted she’s been offered a singing role; this is a tremendous opportunity for Poppy and we know she will be an asset to Opera North’s cast.”
Be Social!