University News Last updated 16 September
A Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) alumna recently created an opera that premiered on the London stage, with support from a host of fellow RBC graduates.
Anna Ho, who studied Piano Performance at RBC before graduating in 2018, created her latest opera, The Trial of the Four, the fourth edition of her Journey to the West series. It was staged as part of the annual Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival at London’s Cockpit Theatre, the fourth time Anna has collaborated with the festival.
“The Festival has been incredibly supportive of my work,” Anna says. “It has become an artistic home for the opera series, a place where I can keep developing the cycle and sharing it with audiences who are open to adventurous, narrative-driven opera.”
The performances have been well received from fans and fellow opera professionals. “The music, the storytelling, the humour and the ideas I wished to convey all landed as I had hoped,” she says. “That is not always a given in opera, especially with a new work, so it has been very encouraging. It suggests the piece is doing what I intended: to entertain, to move, and to invite reflection.”
The Trial of the Four is an adaptation of Chinese novel Journey to the West, following the character Tang Sanzang and his three disciples as they encounter temptation midway through their westward pilgrimage. “At its heart, the opera explores the tension between worldly desire and spiritual commitment,” Anna says.
Anna was not the only RBC alum involved in The Trial of the Four. Also taking part was librettist Roxanne Korda, as well as baritones Michael CT Lam, who has taken leading roles in prestigious venues across Europe and Asia, and Howang Yuen, who has sung with companies such as Opera Holland Park. Completing the group was soprano Gloria Chan and Ruth Wang.
“I prefer to collaborate with singers I know well, so that I can write music that suits them best. Knowing their voices, their colours, ranges and capabilities, gives me greater freedom in composition,” Anna explains. “When I write for a specific singer, I can tailor the line to their strengths, and that often leads to music that feels more alive and personal. Working with fellow alumni brings a shared vocabulary and mutual understanding that speeds up the creative process and deepens the collaborative spirit.”
Alongside her operas, Anna has enjoyed an illustrious career collaborating with a host of companies, including the London Oriana Choir and Birmingham Opera Company. She credits RBC for turning her dreams of being a musical all-rounder into a reality.
“RBC offers a rare combination of excellent teaching, performance opportunities, and a supportive community. For anyone who wants to grow as a complete musician, it is a wonderful place to study.”