Lewis Gaston (www.lewisgaston.co) works as a conductor in the UK and abroad. His work has been recognised in international competitions, masterclasses and he enjoys a schedule of work that combines performance and research. As well as conducting across the UK he has worked with the Brasov Philarmonic (Romania), Toscana Classica Orchestra (Italy), Berlin Sinfonietta (Germany), Camerata di Fiorentina (Italy) and the State Opera Rousse (Bulgaria). Lewis is currently Music Director/Assistant Music Director to a number of orchestras and opera companies within the UK.
Lewis is Music Director to the English Schools’ Orchestra and Assistant Musical Director to the Easter Orchestral Society. He works as Guest Conductor to orchestras around the country.
Lewis specialises in Opera conducting with a repertoire of around 50 operas. As a lecturer and conductor for Opera Prelude, Lewis has given the UK premiere of Mercadante’s opera Don Chisciotte alle nozze di Gamaccio and lectured on a wide variety of opera subjects.
Stephen Oliver Stage Director
Stephen Oliver’s previous opera productions include: for Windsor and Eton Opera La Sonnambula, The Elixir of Love, Carmen, The Magic Flute, La Bohème, Eugene Onegin, The Merry Widow; for Park Opera Rigoletto, The Queen of Spades; for Epsom College Dido and Aeneas, The Marriage of Figaro, The Coronation of Poppea, Hansel and Gretel, The Cunning Little Vixen, The Beggar’s Opera [Britten]; for St Cecilia Chorus Samson and Jephtha [semi-stagings]; for City Music Society, Bishopsgate Institute Bach’s Coffee Cantata [semi-staging].
He has directed plays for Richmond Shakespeare Society including Uncle Vanya, Taking Sides, Cymbeline, Vincent in Brixton, Hysteria and in collaboration with The Richmond Orchestra, Shakespeare in Words and Music; for Teddington Theatre Club The Tempest, The School for Scandal, Amadeus, Relative Values, Wild Oats, The Secret Rapture, Lend Me a Tenor; and for Epsom College over thirty plays and musicals. Since 2008 he has been Chairman of Banstead Arts Festival Society.
Judith Flint L.R.A.M. – Accompanist – Judith studied piano accompanying, clarinet and singing at the Royal Academy of Music. Since leaving in 1976, she has worked as a freelance accompanist for singers and instrumentalists, and as a rehearsal pianist for choral, opera and dance groups. Judith now lives in New Malden, Surrey and is rehearsal pianist for Park Opera, and Guildford Opera. She is also a regular accompanist for concerts arranged by Music in Hospitals.