Jeff Clarke - Artistic Director
Jeff is Artistic Director of Opera della Luna and has directed all the company's productions since its inception in 1994.
He began his opera career as assistant to Jonathan Miller on Falstaff for Kent Opera. Sydney Opera House followed where he worked as assistant director and later for the State Opera of South Australia and the Lyric Opera of Queensland. He has since worked at many venues all over Britain, including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Scottish Opera. His work has also included many musicals both as director and musical director, and, since the inception of Opera della Luna, numerous productions of Gilbert & Sullivan operas.
He has translated many operas including Lucia di Lammermoor, Rusalka, The Tales of Hoffmann, Robinson Crusoe, La Belle Hélène, Il Mondo della Luna and most recently L'Elisir d'Amore, most of which have been produced by Opera della Luna.
Jeff's work is regularly seen at Iford Opera Festival and now at Stanley Hall Opera in Essex for whom Jeff created a new version of Verdi's early comedy Il Giorno di Regno. He has also composed numerous scores for stage productions including Cider with Rosie, Tess of the d'Urbevilles and The History of Tom Jones. Other work includes Fiddler on the Roof (Belgrade Theatre Coventry), Lock Up Your Daughters (Swansea), The Barber of Seville (Malaysia), Sweeney Todd (Brussels) and most recently I Pagliacci in the Hanoi Opera House, Vietnam. In summer 2009 Jeff directed the Buxton International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival production of Princess Ida.
Graham Wynne - DesignerHe began his opera career as assistant to Jonathan Miller on Falstaff for Kent Opera. Sydney Opera House followed where he worked as assistant director and later for the State Opera of South Australia and the Lyric Opera of Queensland. He has since worked at many venues all over Britain, including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Scottish Opera. His work has also included many musicals both as director and musical director, and, since the inception of Opera della Luna, numerous productions of Gilbert & Sullivan operas.
He has translated many operas including Lucia di Lammermoor, Rusalka, The Tales of Hoffmann, Robinson Crusoe, La Belle Hélène, Il Mondo della Luna and most recently L'Elisir d'Amore, most of which have been produced by Opera della Luna.
Jeff's work is regularly seen at Iford Opera Festival and now at Stanley Hall Opera in Essex for whom Jeff created a new version of Verdi's early comedy Il Giorno di Regno. He has also composed numerous scores for stage productions including Cider with Rosie, Tess of the d'Urbevilles and The History of Tom Jones. Other work includes Fiddler on the Roof (Belgrade Theatre Coventry), Lock Up Your Daughters (Swansea), The Barber of Seville (Malaysia), Sweeney Todd (Brussels) and most recently I Pagliacci in the Hanoi Opera House, Vietnam. In summer 2009 Jeff directed the Buxton International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival production of Princess Ida.
Graham studied English at Cambridge University and as a student he designed several theatre productions for the Cambridge Footlights before becoming a creative consultant for Ralph Lauren.
Graham is probably best known for his regular appearances on Changing Rooms for the BBC. As a regular designer on the show he is renowned for his understated and sophisticated style. He has also appeared on Channel 4's Party of a Lifetime, Change That on the BBC and The Great House Challenge for Channel 5.
Graham is involved in a wide array of projects outside of television including designs for theatre productions, furniture design and both commercial and private interior design. He regularly contributes to leading interior design magazines and has written many articles on the history of visual design. He has lectured in this field both in this country and the United States.
Gabriella Csanyi-Wills - DesignerGraham is probably best known for his regular appearances on Changing Rooms for the BBC. As a regular designer on the show he is renowned for his understated and sophisticated style. He has also appeared on Channel 4's Party of a Lifetime, Change That on the BBC and The Great House Challenge for Channel 5.
Graham is involved in a wide array of projects outside of television including designs for theatre productions, furniture design and both commercial and private interior design. He regularly contributes to leading interior design magazines and has written many articles on the history of visual design. He has lectured in this field both in this country and the United States.
Hungarian by parentage, British by birth, French by education, Gabriella has a degree in Humanities from the Open University and a degree in Theatre Studies from the Central School of Speech and Drama.
She has worked consistently in theatre, opera, dance and film. She recently worked with the choreographer Liz Lea on a contemporary dance piece Eros Eris commissioned by the Royal Opera House and premiered at the Linbury.
She has enjoyed designing for Opera della Luna on many projects including The Mikado, The Merry Widow, La Belle Hélène, The Tales of Hoffmann, Il Mondo della Luna and The Burglar's Opera. Two of Gabriella's designs, including The Burglar's Opera, were included in the Collaborators' Exhibition held at the V&A in London.
The future holds many exciting prospects working on established repertoire and new works including a new dance piece – Ajanta – as well as non-theatrical illustration work.
Jenny Arnold – ChoreographerShe has worked consistently in theatre, opera, dance and film. She recently worked with the choreographer Liz Lea on a contemporary dance piece Eros Eris commissioned by the Royal Opera House and premiered at the Linbury.
She has enjoyed designing for Opera della Luna on many projects including The Mikado, The Merry Widow, La Belle Hélène, The Tales of Hoffmann, Il Mondo della Luna and The Burglar's Opera. Two of Gabriella's designs, including The Burglar's Opera, were included in the Collaborators' Exhibition held at the V&A in London.
The future holds many exciting prospects working on established repertoire and new works including a new dance piece – Ajanta – as well as non-theatrical illustration work.
Jenny has worked on many Opera della Luna productions including HMS Pinafore, The Merry Widow, The Mikado, The Ghosts of Ruddigore and Parsons Pirates and is pleased to be back on board for Die Fledermaus.
Some of her recent theatre work includes Peter Pan a Musical Adventure (West Yorkshire Playhouse and Birmingham Rep); The Merry Wives of Windsor (The Globe); Milkshake – My First Concert (National Tour), The Rocky Horror Show (National Tour).
Jenny was nominated for an Olivier Award and What's on Stage Award for her choreography for Jerry Springer the Opera (Royal National Theatre, Cambridge Theatre, National Tour and Sydney Opera House).
Recent West End and touring credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, Spamalot and The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare's Globe. Jenny choreographed the film Nativity starring Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen and directed by Debbie Issitt (who directed Confetti which Jenny also choreographed), and Vagabond Shoes, a short film starting Iain Glenn which was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA.
Other film and TV credits include Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle seen on BBC2; Marie Lloyd and Fanny Hill (BBC4); Al Murray's Happy Hour (ITV1); Kombat Opera (BBC2); The All New Harry Hill Show and Our Friends in the North.
Some of her recent theatre work includes Peter Pan a Musical Adventure (West Yorkshire Playhouse and Birmingham Rep); The Merry Wives of Windsor (The Globe); Milkshake – My First Concert (National Tour), The Rocky Horror Show (National Tour).
Jenny was nominated for an Olivier Award and What's on Stage Award for her choreography for Jerry Springer the Opera (Royal National Theatre, Cambridge Theatre, National Tour and Sydney Opera House).
Recent West End and touring credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, Spamalot and The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare's Globe. Jenny choreographed the film Nativity starring Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen and directed by Debbie Issitt (who directed Confetti which Jenny also choreographed), and Vagabond Shoes, a short film starting Iain Glenn which was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA.
Other film and TV credits include Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle seen on BBC2; Marie Lloyd and Fanny Hill (BBC4); Al Murray's Happy Hour (ITV1); Kombat Opera (BBC2); The All New Harry Hill Show and Our Friends in the North.
Carolyn Allen
Carolyn Allen trained at The Royal Academy and at The London Opera Centre.
Carolyn has appeared in both musicals and plays in the West End including Joe Papp’s Pirates of Penzance (Edith), Ken Hill’s Mikado, (Pitti Sing), Ray Cooney’s famous farces Two into One (Jennifer Bristow) which ran for over two years, See How They Run (Ida), Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Les Miserables. As a Gilbert and Sullivan specialist, she has played all the soubrette roles with The World of Gilbert and Sullivan and Gilbert and Sullivan For All in theatres around Great Britain and Europe.
The Redgrave Theatre My Fair Lady (Elisa Doolittle) Cavalcade. (Mirabelle) Cheltenham Theatre The Savoy Nights.
Carolyn’s cabaret and corporate work has taken her all over the world, from Orlando to Prague via Amsterdam, The Bluebird Restaurant Kings Road where she performs OperaTottie.
Carolyn’s television credits; Only Fools and Horses (Vonny the sexy stripper and snake charmer), Slingers Day, Just His Luck and The Upper Hand (Carol).
She also appeared as Carole in the film Personal Services (the birthday present girl).
She is currently filming the fourth series of New Tricks for the BBC playing Carole, Dennis Waterman’s ex wife.
Simon ButterissCarolyn has appeared in both musicals and plays in the West End including Joe Papp’s Pirates of Penzance (Edith), Ken Hill’s Mikado, (Pitti Sing), Ray Cooney’s famous farces Two into One (Jennifer Bristow) which ran for over two years, See How They Run (Ida), Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Les Miserables. As a Gilbert and Sullivan specialist, she has played all the soubrette roles with The World of Gilbert and Sullivan and Gilbert and Sullivan For All in theatres around Great Britain and Europe.
The Redgrave Theatre My Fair Lady (Elisa Doolittle) Cavalcade. (Mirabelle) Cheltenham Theatre The Savoy Nights.
Carolyn’s cabaret and corporate work has taken her all over the world, from Orlando to Prague via Amsterdam, The Bluebird Restaurant Kings Road where she performs OperaTottie.
Carolyn’s television credits; Only Fools and Horses (Vonny the sexy stripper and snake charmer), Slingers Day, Just His Luck and The Upper Hand (Carol).
She also appeared as Carole in the film Personal Services (the birthday present girl).
She is currently filming the fourth series of New Tricks for the BBC playing Carole, Dennis Waterman’s ex wife.
Roles with Opera della Luna:
KoKo in THE MIKADO
Sir Joseph Porter in HMS PINAFORE
Kevin Murgatroyd in GHOSTS OF RUDDIGORE
Menelaus in LA BELLE HELENE
Jim Cocks/Lady Crusoe in ROBINSON CRUSOE
The Patterman in NIGHTMARE SONGS
Simon has worked extensively as an actor in theatre, film, television and radio (numerous West End plays and musicals, RSC, Old Vic Company; film credits include Mike Leigh’s Topsy-Turvy and television appearances include two series of By the Sword Divided and French and Saunders’ Let Them Eat Cake); as a singer in opera (La Scala, Milan; Paris Chatelet; Deutsche Oper am Rhein; WNO; Almeida Opera; Bregenz Festspiele etc) and on the concert platform (notably Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire at the Aldeburgh Festival).
He has sung the patter roles in Gilbert and Sullivan at the Savoy Theatre and throughout the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. As writer and translator, commissions have included a new play for Let's Make An Opera for the Britten Estate and he wrote and presented the television films A Salaried Wit (about George Grossmith) and A Gooseberry Fool (about Oliver Goldsmith) for Capriol Films/SkyArts.
Contact: MUSIC INTERNATIONAL 020 7359 5183 music@musicint.co.uk
Sylvia ClarkeKoKo in THE MIKADO
Sir Joseph Porter in HMS PINAFORE
Kevin Murgatroyd in GHOSTS OF RUDDIGORE
Menelaus in LA BELLE HELENE
Jim Cocks/Lady Crusoe in ROBINSON CRUSOE
The Patterman in NIGHTMARE SONGS
Simon has worked extensively as an actor in theatre, film, television and radio (numerous West End plays and musicals, RSC, Old Vic Company; film credits include Mike Leigh’s Topsy-Turvy and television appearances include two series of By the Sword Divided and French and Saunders’ Let Them Eat Cake); as a singer in opera (La Scala, Milan; Paris Chatelet; Deutsche Oper am Rhein; WNO; Almeida Opera; Bregenz Festspiele etc) and on the concert platform (notably Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire at the Aldeburgh Festival).
He has sung the patter roles in Gilbert and Sullivan at the Savoy Theatre and throughout the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. As writer and translator, commissions have included a new play for Let's Make An Opera for the Britten Estate and he wrote and presented the television films A Salaried Wit (about George Grossmith) and A Gooseberry Fool (about Oliver Goldsmith) for Capriol Films/SkyArts.
Contact: MUSIC INTERNATIONAL 020 7359 5183 music@musicint.co.uk
Sylvia studied initially at the Conservatorium of Music Opera School, Sydney, and was a member of the Sydney Operetta Touring Theatre Company performing in Operetta and Musical Comedy throughout Australia before joining Opera Australia.
She was also resident Mezzo with the West Australian Opera Company. Since coming to Britain Sylvia often sings as a soloist with choral societies and opera companies throughout the country and performs classical recitals in Australia and the UK.
Sylvia regularly performs all the contralto roles in the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire and performed Katisha in The Mikado and Buttercup in HMS Pinafore for Carl Rosa Opera Company's 2008 Tour of the USA.
Recently Sylvia sang the Mezzo solo in Stravinsky's Les Noces with the Michael Clark Dance Company at the Barbican, London and The Lincoln Centre, New York.
She was also resident Mezzo with the West Australian Opera Company. Since coming to Britain Sylvia often sings as a soloist with choral societies and opera companies throughout the country and performs classical recitals in Australia and the UK.
Sylvia regularly performs all the contralto roles in the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire and performed Katisha in The Mikado and Buttercup in HMS Pinafore for Carl Rosa Opera Company's 2008 Tour of the USA.
Recently Sylvia sang the Mezzo solo in Stravinsky's Les Noces with the Michael Clark Dance Company at the Barbican, London and The Lincoln Centre, New York.
