Professional opera singer. Donna’s origins story, she was spotted as a talented singer by a teacher who took her to a French chateau to perform Mozart arias - this was of course acceptable in the late 1980s. Opera has music, drama, costume, and the power of an orchestra - opera is massive! In opera the singers also act, there’s a lot to be good at. Donna’s first professional opera gig was at the Royal Opera House. Donna has been performing modern opera works, like The Little Prince performing as a mad robot calculator character. Donna has performed opera in China in Chinese. Nick did a best man speech in Japan - find out how! Donna’s very fancy gig at Glyndebourne - she has to get a fancy dress. Playing another robot! Are there any youth operas? Can any music instrument match the range and texture of a human voice - of course not! Fach is a funny opera word to describe the type of voice you have. Where do opera singers rehearse? At home, not giving it the full beans. Donna has done a lot of crazy performances - as a catfish, robots, and bile. How do you become bile? Where do opera singers find their jobs? Is there a LinkedIn for opera? Most opera singers are soprano, bass and tenors are more rare. How do you look after your voice? No caffeine, shouting or screaming and plenty of steaming. Donna and her children communicate through the house in opera when they want to get each other’s attention. Do you need to go on vocal rest before a performance? Donna Lennard is the Beyonce of Chelmsford. Opera has a lot of stereotypes about being old fashioned and diva behaviour. Donna sung opera for Chelmsford Museum to celebrate the birth of radio. Protein’s Little Prince featuring Donna is running for the third year in London and Ipswich - Nick highly recommends. How would you start your opera journey? Get singer lessons. Explore your repertoire. Take it easy. Your voice will reach its peak at 30 years old. Talking about Pavarotti being a legend! Traditional opera is in Italian, German, Czech, French - so learning the words can be hard. Opera should be about telling stories. Is there an Essex opera? All about diphthongs and the Essex accent and glottal stops. We need more venues for opera in Essex. Donna sings us out - and it’s MEGA! ALSO Nick reveals that the toaster was invented in Toaster City - Chelmsford. Big up Colonel Crompton!

Donna Lennard website
The Little Prince - Protein Dance Company

Are You Creative? recorded by Nick at City Sound
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Thanks to NGDA, City Sound and Essex County Council for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK