Opera Rara names Ermonela Jaho and Michael Spyres as Artist Ambassadors
On the 225th anniversary of Donizetti’s birth, Opera Rara are delighted to announce that Ermonela Jaho and Michael Spyres are named as Opera Rara’s Artist Ambassadors.
The new role of Artist Ambassador has been created alongside the role of Honorary Artist Patron, currently held by Renée Fleming. Opera Rara’s Artist Ambassadors work to raise the international profile of the charity, assist in the development of new projects and educational activities and feature in our recording and performance projects.
Henry Little, Chief Executive of Opera Rara said:
“We welcome Ermonela Jaho and Michael Spyres to the new role of Artist Ambassadors. They have both shown a passion for Opera Rara’s work to restore rare and forgotten operas, having both featured on award-winning recordings. It is a part of our mission to work with the world’s greatest artists, and we are grateful for the relationships that have been developed with Ermonela and Michael in the recording studio and on the concert stage. Our artists are a part of the Opera Rara family, and their dedication to Opera Rara’s mission is the backbone of what the company has become known for: sustained artistic excellence. During their period as Artist Ambassadors, Ermonela and Michael will continue their work of sharing operatic rarities with our audiences.”
Michael Spyres states, “Opera Rara is an invaluable institution that has broadened the horizons of the opera world, by rediscovering the great lost works of the past. No other institution has done as much for the world of opera in terms of research, recording, and education than Opera Rara, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. Countless individuals such as myself have made their careers with the help of Opera Rara, and with your support, a lasting artistic legacy will be possible.”
Ermonela Jaho comments, “I love to work with Opera Rara because they make fabulous operatic discoveries come to life for us all to enjoy. In this noisy world, this beautiful music from the past sings to our inner spirit. I feel that I am a part of a unique family of artists, researchers, and supporters who are passionate about the past made new, and as an Artist Ambassador, I invite you to become a part of the Opera Rara family.”
Ermonela Jaho and Michael Spyres will record solo albums of newly restored songs of Gaetano Donizetti as a part of the Donizetti Song Project, a multi-year programme of recordings and performances to present the complete songs of Gaetano Donizetti. Throughout their time as Artist Ambassadors, audiences in London and abroad will be able to enjoy this new partnership in performances, recordings and educational events.