Tenor Spencer Britten and Baritone Ian Burns in Berlin. Life partners with coveted spots on the newly-formed Insignia Athlone Artist Management roster, specifically built for the European market. Photo: Spencer Britten (2020)
The first time I met Ian Burns, he was a 2019 Santa Fe Opera Apprentice. He and his collegues had just given a stirring concert performance at Four Seasons Santa Fe, an annual event that generally kicks off the Company’s summer season. It was wonderful to see him excel across four (4) different productions (The Pearl Fishers, Cosí fan tutte, Jenufa, and The Thirteenth Child). Thanks to Instagram, I later discovered that his partner Spencer Britten was also an opera singer at L’ Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. Fast forward to our COVID-19 present, Ian and Spencer have put the long-distance dynamic behind them, now living and working together in Berlin, Germany. Thanks to Spencer’s Instagram, I also discovered that they’re both part of a newly formed partnership between US-based opera management firms Insignia Artists and Athlone Artists - Insignia Athlone, a hybrid agency purpose-built for the European market. Ian and Spencer were both receptive to sharing thoughts regarding Insignia Athlone’s innovative business model and approach, as well as how they’re managing in the age of COVID-19, perhaps supporting a trend of opera professionals relocating to Europe, something Opera Innovation’s noticed, at least anecdotally. Ian and Spencer also echo #Opera2point0 thoughts on the future of opera and changes roiling an industry experiencing its own, real-time evolution. Over to you, gents. JM
By Ian Burns and Spencer Britten
(Berlin, Germany) - As an opera couple, we feel extremely lucky to have already had a plan to move to Berlin prior to the pandemic that’s continued to crush the arts globally, but especially in our respective home countries of Canada and the United States. Prior to our decision to move to Germany, we’d intended to relocate somewhere in the US, continuing to feed our growing roots in the North American market. However, fate had a different idea when Spencer was offered a position at the International Opera Studio of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. We ultimately decided to put an end to years of long-distance relationship, going to Berlin together, Ian introducing himself to the European market.
Both of us were very gratefully to be represented by Miguel Rodriguez at Athlone Artists - we felt very secure knowing that we’d have his guidance and support during our initial, transitional period in Germany. However, once the pandemic hit, many of our performance and audition opportunities began to disappear; we felt like we’d instantly lost a huge portion of what we’d envisioned to be our market. In spite of it all, Miguel has been wonderful, reassuring his entire Athlone roster that things were in motion and rapidly changing.
Of course, timing is everything.
As we were settling in as an opera couple in Berlin, another type of coming together was happening. On October 7, 2020, Miguel’s Athlone Artists, Gloria Parker’s Insignia Artists and Catriona Bell officially announced Insignia Athlone Artists, a collaborative agency purpose-built to bring select artists from each founder’s roster to Europe; we’re so honored to be represented by these dynamic management professionals, and to be a part of this incredible group of singers, directors and conductors.
From Insignia Athlone’s 07OCT press release, Co-Founder Gloria Parker said: “In a time of transition, we see opportunity.” Putting our business of opera hats on, we see Insignia Athlone’s combined synergies and efficiencies as the establishment of a novel, nimble and effective artist management model for Europe. As singers on IA’s founding roster, we’re so grateful to have the reassurance and optimism of our management team during these uncertain times. And their ability to quickly pivot during a global pandemic, ideating and launching Insignia Athlone…this is completely reassuring.
Spencer and Ian on Athlone Street in Vancouver, British Columbia. Photo: Spencer Britten (2020)
The same, values-driven approach that Miguel shared with us as Athlone Artists also resonates across the new venture. Miguel from the same 07OCT press release: “Insignia Athlone Artists will provide comprehensive worldwide service, bringing to bear a depth of knowledge in our combined skills. That includes extensive personal experience with vocalism and stagecraft, honest evaluation of talent, thoughtful casting, and integrity in our professional relationships.”
We’d also like to emphasize how grateful we are to have planned our move to Berlin before the pandemic happened. Opportunities in Germany seemed like a great starting point for the next chapter of our careers and, despite the global pandemic, we’ve still made some great strides forward, personally and professionally. Also, Vancouver is the most expensive Canadian city in which to live, so Berlin provides us with an affordable cost of living as we continue to work and audition, live and online. Even though we’re working through shutdowns, German opera companies are fighting tooth and nail to maintain operations as they’re able, within government guidelines.
“This career is full of sudden changes and big moves, being on the Insignia Athlone roster brings me a steady partnership while navigating this ever-changing industry. It’s a good feeling having such a great team to work with, the innovative partnership that is Insignia Athlone will be a guiding force through the pandemic and a light at the end of the tunnel when we all come out on the other side.” - Ian Burns, Baritone | Insignia Athlone
Like every other singer, we’re learning how to master the brave new world of online opera. Ian’s also been successfully navigating a primarily online audition season via pre-recorded videos, as well as live-streamed auditions. We’re really fortunate in Germany since some live auditions are still taking place. Ian’s found that having a live audition in a room (if possible) is ideal and when it comes to technology, he’s keeping it as simple as possible (here come the pro tips). For example, for best results on zoom, Ian uses his laptop with the built-in mic, enabling Original Sound through the Zoom platform. In the event that pre-recorded tracks are necessary, figuring out how to acquire custom-made tracks is ideal; best case scenario is with video, in order to keep in time with the pianist as they play and conduct as necessary for each piece.
“Having Miguel, Gloria, and Catriona, working together with this premium roster brings me great faith that we are working towards a great future in opera. Through these tough times, they are providing a light that will shine forward through and past this pandemic.” - Spencer Britten, Tenor | Insignia Athlone
But opportunity knocks outside Germany, too. Just this month, Spencer traveled back to Vancouver (with requisite quarantine time and testing) to be part of an incredible online project with Canada’s Against the Grain Theatre (AtG.) From the press release: “On December 13th, 2020, the multi-award-winning innovative team at Against the Grain Theatre (AtG) is proud to present a bold interpretation of Handel’s Messiah, created in partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO). The daring, seventy-minute filmed performance of Messiah/Complex will showcase multilingual translations, and feature a diverse cast of soloists and choirs from every Province and Territory across Canada, accompanied by the exceptional sounds of the TSO and conducted by Johannes Debus (Canadian Opera Company). Messiah/Complex is co-directed by the Founding Artistic Director of AtG, Joel Ivany, and Banff Centre’s Director of Indigenous Arts, Reneltta Arluk.”
We both admire leaders and companies like Joel Ivany and AtG, along with the aforementioned arts management expertise of Gloria, Miguel and Catriona. They are the forces creating a path forward for opera, innovating new ways to keep the art form alive and accessible, as well as creating artist income opportunities and making diversity central to their projects. It really is a brand new world for opera, or, at least the beginning of one. We’ve embraced the necessity to adapt quickly, to evolve. Both of us, at one time or another, have heard people say that opera is ten years behind the rest of the performing arts. That may or may not be true, but the pandemic might be kicking our industry into a higher, more purposeful gear, forcing us to catch up. - SB | IB
Spencer Britten is a Chinese-Canadian tenor. Originally from British Columbia, Canada, Spencer completed his operatic studies with J.Patrick Raftery at The University of British Columbia. He recently finished two seasons at both The Glimmerglass Festival and l’Opéra de Montréal. Spencer joined the International Opera Studio at Staatsoper Unter den Linden in 2020, making his house debut in Ariadne auf Naxos. Upcoming 2020-21 performances include Tannhäuser, Rigoletto, Die Zauberflöte, Der Rosenkavalier, La bohème, La Traviata, Salome, and La fanciulla del west.
Visit SpencerBritten.com and follow Spencer on Instagram and Facebook.
The 2020-21 International Opera Studio of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. Founded in November 2007, and under the direction of conductor, pianist and vocal coach Boris Anifantakis, The International Opera Studio “offers young, talented singers the possibility to prepare themselves for an artistically demanding career in opera and musical theatre. The overall artistic direction of the International Opera Studio is provided by Daniel Barenboim, whose primary concern is to provide continuing education and consistent support within the framework of the Staatsoper for the artistic development of promising young singers.” - Excerpted from Staatsoper Unter den Linden’s website
Ian Burns is a Peruvian-Irish American baritone. A recent graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Diploma in Voice program, completing his operatic studies with J. Patrick Raftery, Ian is rapidly gaining recognition for his rich tone and self-assured stage presence. In the summer of 2020, Burns was prepared to cover the roles of Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music and Masetto in Don Giovanni as a member of the Glimmerglass Festival’s Young Artist Program, but instead participated in the company’s six-week virtual festival created in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The summer of 2019 saw Burns as an Apprentice Artist at Santa Fe Opera, where he covered the roles of the Foreman in Janáček’s Jenůfa and The Gardener in the world premiere of Poul Ruders’ The Thirteenth Child and Marcello in La Bohème. Berlin-based for the 2020-21 season, Ian and his Insignia Athlone team are focused on building his career in Germany and across Europe.
Visit IanBurnsBaritone.com and follow Ian on Instagram.