Phillip Rhodes - Hard work paying off
Posted on 19 December 2013
Phillip Rhodes (pictured with Rodney Macann and Robin Stapleton) recently sent updates on his progress .....
“I had a long period of work with Opera North (Leeds) covering ‘ Iago’ (Otello) and singing ‘Aeneas’ (Dido and Aeneas) as well as performing an acting role in La Viox Humaine . I worked long hard hours, the toughest being the Otello cover rehearsals consisting of two weeks of 10 hour days, running back and forth from show to show. This all culminated with a ‘covers showing’ of Otello (a run of the entire show to an audience) followed an hour later by a run of Dido and La viox with a short dinner break only to return to rehearsal for Dido . I was happy with the work I achieved there, and that I went on to have a successful season with Dido . I was so full of pride after the opening night of Dido to find that Dame Kiri had made the journey to give me a great (terrifying) surprise! I will hold on to that great memory for the rest of my days!
The hard work paid off. The company has shown a great interest in engaging me in the future beginning with the cover of Balstrode in their up-coming production of Peter Grimes . It is not a new lesson that hard work pays but I felt it a great reward that the company had offered more work for the future. I have just had more good news that I have been engaged in the role of Marcello for Opera North’s upcoming season of La Boheme. The show will be directed by Phyllida Lloyd who is better known for her work in cinema with ‘Mama Mia’ and ‘The Iron Lady’. I won the role after having to participate in a series of workshops, which I would have found very difficult to afford to attend if it were not for the help of the Foundation.
I am very happy with how things have progressed over the last few months and I feel I am now right on the edge of very exciting times. I trust that Dame Kiri was right in telling me to be patient (and still is!) as I have now witnessed and met the result of those that do too much too soon and are now really struggling to sing, let alone work. I am so grateful for all you have done for me”