Farewell Stuart
Stuart Barker will be leaving the BYO team in August 2023.
Stuart's journey with BYO began in 1994 as a trainee assistant director for a production of Eugene Onegin. Despite being his first experience in this role, he impressed the team and returned for several more productions in the same position. In 1997, Stuart was appointed as company manager for that year’s summer productions and returned for three more. In 2000, he offered to ‘help out in the office for a few weeks’ but stayed for much longer, soon becoming artistic administrator. In 2014, he was appointed director of training and productions.
“For more than 25 years, Stuart Barker has occupied a unique space within the operatic training world. He has worked with a generation of singers at the seminal moment in their careers, between formal education and the profession. This commitment to training young people, dedication to BYO and enthusiasm for opera as a whole has helped sculpt the landscape of our industry. It has been a privilege to work with Stuart at BYO, long after he auditioned me for Albert Herring in 2007! We want to thank Stuart and wish him every joy and success as he continues his work training young singers.”
Stuart's contributions to BYO aren’t just on the administrative side of things. He’s also directed BYO productions: L’elisir d’amore, Euridice, A Night at the Chinese Opera, The Little Green Swallow, The Cunning Little Vixen, English Eccentrics, The Vanishing Bridegroom, The Enchanted Island and La Cenerentola. He’s also been actively involved in teaching in regular workshops and other training events. His dedication to BYO and passion for opera training have been invaluable to the company's growth and success.
“As I prepare to bid farewell to BYO, I’m filled with mixed emotions. It’s been an incredible privilege to witness countless singers and other opera professionals at the beginning of their careers and watch them ascend the ladder of success. Every moment of this journey has been an absolute joy. However, I’m also eager to dedicate more time to teaching and nurturing young singers, both at music colleges and elsewhere. While saying goodbye is never easy, I will always remain a staunch advocate of this company that I love so much.”