Free talk by Opera Star Suzannah

Internationally famous opera singer and University of Teesside alumnus Suzannah Clarke will be delivering a public talk at the University on Wednesday 16 November 2005, 6.30pm - 8.00pm. The lecture, entitled Managing your own career as a performer, is free of charge and open to any member of the public.

Suzannah Clarke trained with Luciano Pavarotti’s singing teacher in Modena, Italy, before becoming the company principal with the English National Opera. Her career has taken her around the world, including performances at the legendary La Scala opera house in Milan, as well as singing at the opening ceremony of Euro 96 at Wembley Stadium.

Suzannah graduated from the University of Teesside in 1992 with a BA (Hons) Business Studies degree and was awarded an honorary Master of Arts in 2003. Appointed as Middlesbrough’s Cultural Ambassador in 2002, Suzannah is committed to raising the town’s profile nationally and internationally.

Her talk will cover how she first made an impact in the opera business and how she continued to build on her success. She will examine all aspects of performers managing their own careers, from getting the most out of agents and managers to writing their own press releases. Using examples from her own career she will illustrate the highs and lows of negotiating with record companies, dealing with local, national and international media, and the minefield of working abroad and negotiating international contracts.

She will discuss the arts, business and education and how these three factors have influenced her career and business decisions. This lecture is a must for any budding performer or entrepreneur and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

The lecture will be held in the University of Teesside’s Centuria Building, off Victoria Road, Middlesbrough. Refreshments will be served from 6.00pm. Those with reservations will be seated first.

For more information or to reserve a place call 01642 384255 or email alumni.office@tees.ac.uk.

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