| Award-winning Scottish tenor Nicky Spence has joined Help Musicians, the 100-year-old charity supporting musicians across the UK, as an Ambassador.Having studied extensively and forged a phenomenal career on opera stages around the world, Nicky’s depth of experience will be vital in aiding the charity’s support of musicians across the breadth of their needs. Nicky joins the charity at a crucial moment in its history as it marks its centenary year and works to support musicians back into live performance following the unprecedented pandemic crisis.Nicky’s long relationship with the charity began when Help Musicians supported him to study at Guildhall School of Music & Drama and The National Opera Studio at the start of his career. He has since gone on to raise over £25,000 as part of a Glasgow to London charity bike ride and be an active advocate for the breadth of work the charity does to support musicians.Nicky said: “It’s fair to say that I would simply not be enjoying a career if it weren’t for the support of Help Musicians. Coming from a working-class background, it was not the obvious choice for me to become a classical musician but their support endorsed me on my path and I’ve been compelled to give back ever since. They have been an extraordinary force for good during the pandemic and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together.” On August 16, as part of this year’s BBC Proms season, Nicky joins a host of British opera stars, including fellow Help Musicians ambassador Natalya Romaniw, with the BBC Philharmonic to perform excerpts from Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio. Elsewhere, Nicky will be sharing his talents with the wider world when he tries to prove Anyone Can Sing as part of a new Sky Arts show alongside the English National Opera.The 2021/22 season sees Nicky Spence make his role debut as Siegmund in a new production of The Valkyrie for English National Opera directed by Richard Jones and conducted by Martyn Brabbins. He also returns to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as Laca in Claus Guth’s new production of Jenůfa conducted by Henrik Nánási and as Samson in Richard Jones’ new production of Samson et Dalila opposite Elīna Garanča and conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano. Nicky also makes his debut at the Deutsche Staatsoper as Gregor in The Makropulos Case, in another new production by Claus Guth and conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. About Help Musicians Help Musicians is a charity that loves music and for 100 years has been working hard to make a meaningful difference to the lives of musicians across the UK. We want to create a world where musicians thrive. A musician’s life can be precarious with ups and downs throughout a career. Opportunities must be hard-won, whilst challenges come along all too easily, with unsteady income and physical and mental health concerns common issues to navigate. In addition, training can take many years and, along with investing in instruments and other equipment, puts up financial barriers to creative progression. Help Musicians offers a broad range of help to support music creators in times of crisis and opportunity – ensuring musicians across the UK can achieve their creative potential and sustain a career in music. Sadly, the impact of the pandemic means the charity is needed more than ever in 2021, its centenary year. Last year we were able to provide financial hardship support to over 19,000 music creators and increase access to our mental health services by 40%. In 2021, this ongoing need will continue at scale while the music sector recovers and rebuilds. Love Music: Help Musicians About Nicky Spence An artist of great integrity, Nicky Spence’s unique skills as a singing actor and the rare honesty in his musicianship have earned him a place at the top of the music profession.Nicky will also perform at the BBC Proms on 16 August for a night of opera classics with the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Ben Glassberg and host of British opera stars.Nicky will also be a coach on a brand-new Sky Arts TV series who are looking for the worst singers to receive expert vocal training with the English National Opera!The 2021/22 sees Nicky make his role debut as Siegmund in a new production of The Valkyrie for the English National Opera directed by Richard Jones and conducted by Martyn Brabbins. Nicky will also return to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as Laca in Claus Guth’s new production of Jenůfa conducted by Henrik Nánási and as Samson in Richard Jones’ new production of Samson et Dalila opposite Elīna Garanča and conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano. Nicky also makes his debut at the Deutsche Staatsoper in the 2021/22 season, as Gregor in The Makropulos Case, another new production by Claus Guth and conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.Future seasons see Nicky return to La Monnaie, L’Opéra national de Paris, Grange Park and the Metropolitan Opera.Nicky gives recitals internationally, appears in concert extensively and records prolifically. Upcoming recital appearances include Wigmore Hall, La Monnaie, the Janáček Brno International Festival and the Two Moors Festival.In 2020 he won the BBC Music Magazine Vocal Award and Gramophone’s Solo Vocal Award for his critically acclaimed recording of Janáček’s The Diary of One who Disappeared and was nominated as RPS Singer of the Year.Nicky is also a keen charity worker which encompasses his position as patron for both Blackheath Halls in London and Scottish Opera’s Young Company, as an ambassador for Help Musicians UK, and proud president of Dumfries’s own Musical Theatre Company. In 2019, Nicky joined the board of the Incorporated Society of Musicians. During the pandemic Nicky has been a vaccinator volunteer. www.nickyspence.com |
Tenor Nicky Spence joins Help Musicians as an Ambassador.
