James Gillett
Conductor – Vocal Coach – Repetiteur
About
James Gillett is a pianist and conductor based in Manchester, originally from Grimsby. With a Master’s degree in repetiteur studies from the Royal Northern College of Music and a first-class degree in Music from the University of Manchester, James has established a strong foundation in both performance and music education.James has cultivated a deep passion for music in the theatre, beginning with a production of Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale in 2019, and developing into conducting and playing operatic repertoire with groups such as Waterperry Opera Festival, Flat Pack Music and Random Opera. Notably, he served as a repetiteur for the world premiere of Anna Appleby's opera Drought, performed by the BBC Philharmonic in October 2022.James enjoys working closely with singers in operatic repertoire, helping them harness their technique to delve deeper in to musical style, language, and sound. James' dedication to vocal coaching has become a vital part of his musicianship and he is committed to supporting singers at every stage of their professional journey.In addition to his operatic endeavors, James is dedicated to supporting community music-making. He holds the position of Musical Director for both Oldham Symphony Orchestra and Abney Orchestra, as well as regularly working with PB Theatricals, a youth-focussed theatre group.Since 2023, James has been repetiteur for the RNCM's recently established 'Community Chorus' and collaborated on their production of Silverwood, a new opera written by Kate Pearson incorporating over 150 community performers on one stage.Outside the concert hall, James enjoys performing duo recitals with vocalists at local venues, sharing exceptional music across various settings throughout Greater Manchester.
Operatic Repertoire
| Composer | Work | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Barber | A Hand of Bridge | MD / pianist |
| Donizetti | The Elixir of Love (Eng.) | Assistant conductor |
| Dove | The Enchanted Pig | Conductor |
| Gilbert & Sullivan | Princess Ida | MD / conductor |
| Gilbert & Sullivan | H.M.S Pinafore | MD / conductor |
| Gilbert & Sullivan | The Yeomen of the Guard | pianist |
| Gilbert & Sullivan | Patience | pianist |
| Menotti | The Telephone | MD / pianist |
| Mozart | The Marriage of Figaro (Eng.) | MD / pianist |
| Le Nozze di Figaro | Fortepiano continuo | |
| Don Giovanni | MD / pianist | |
| Strauss | Ariadne auf Naxos (Prologue) | Orchestral pianist |
| Stravinsky | A Soldiers Tale | Conductor |
Symphonic Repertoire
| Composer | Work |
|---|---|
| Albinoni | Adagio in G minor |
| Bartok | Viola Concerto (Peter Bartók edition) |
| Beethoven | Symphonies Nos. 3, 4, 6 |
| Coriolan Overture | |
| Egmont Overture | |
| Romance for Violin & Orchestra | |
| Violin Concerto | |
| Bizet | Carmen Suites No. 1 and No. 2 |
| Symphony in C | |
| Borodin | Overture and Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor |
| Boulanger | D'un Matin de Printemps |
| Britten | Simple Symphony |
| Bruch | Violin Concerto No. 1 |
| Romance for Viola and Orchestra | |
| Dvorak | Symphony No. 9 |
| Elgar | Enigma Variations |
| Imperial March | |
| German, Edward | Selections from Nell Gwyn |
| Grieg | Norwegian Folk Dances |
| Glazunov | Autumn and Winter |
| Haydn | Symphony No. 28 |
| Liszt | Les Preludes |
| Mendelssohn | Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| Symphony No. 3 (Scottish) | |
| Mozart | Overtures |
| Symphony No. 40 | |
| Piano Concerto No. 25 | |
| Saint-Saëns | The Carnival of the Animals |
| Smetana | Vltava (Die Moldau) |
| Tchaikovsky | Sleeping Beauty Suite, Nutcracker Suite |
| Serenade for Strings | |
| Rococo Variations, for Cello and Orchestra | |
| Symphony No. 5 | |
| Walton | Crown Imperial |
Get In Touch
I offer vocal coaching and accompaniment sessions at my home in Bolton, or at the C. Bechstein Centre, Manchester.
Manchester, UK
07514 289908
james.gillett@icloud.com