SPRING 2025
Das Lied von der Erde
Wild Arts presents Mahler's stunning reflection on death, time, and transience – with three performances in spring and a potential world premiere recording project in the autumn.
Preview Recital
Thursday 19 February, 7pm
A private recital at 22 Manfield Street, London in support of recording the cycle in the autumn. Please get in touch if you are considering supporting the project and would like to come to this recital with Marta and Xavier.
St Peter ad Vincula Church, Coggeshall
Sunday 22 March, 7pm
The Wild Ensemble head to the beautiful St Peter ad Vincula Church as part of the Roman River Festival's Spring Concert Series.
Smith Square Hall
Tuesday 31 March, 7pm
Following two sold-out Christmas performances of Messiah in 2024 and 2025, we make our Easter debut at Smith Square Hall.
Tickets £20-£40
Performers
Marta Fontanals Simmons
Marta Fontanals Simmons
Marta Fontanals Simmons
Mezzo-Soprano
Marta Fontanals-Simmons is a British–Spanish mezzo-soprano acclaimed for her work in opera, concert, and recital.
Her current engagements include Linda in the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Festen, the title role in Gavin Higgins’ The Monstrous Child at the Linbury Theatre, and Siebel in Faust for the Royal Ballet a
Mezzo-Soprano
Marta Fontanals-Simmons is a British–Spanish mezzo-soprano acclaimed for her work in opera, concert, and recital.
Her current engagements include Linda in the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Festen, the title role in Gavin Higgins’ The Monstrous Child at the Linbury Theatre, and Siebel in Faust for the Royal Ballet and Opera.
She has appeared as Marta in Francisco Coll’s Enemigo del Pueblo in Valencia and Madrid, Erste Magd in Elektra at the Grand Théâtre de Genève, Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte at Glyndebourne, and Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro.
On the concert platform, highlights include Beethoven’s Ninth with Aurora Orchestra at the BBC Proms, Messiah with BBCNOW, and Sea Pictures with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. A dedicated recitalist, she has collaborated with leading pianists at major festivals and venues.
Marta trained at the Guildhall School, winning the Principal’s Prize and Gold Medal, and holds several international awards.
Xavier Hetherington
Marta Fontanals Simmons
Marta Fontanals Simmons
Tenor
Xavier Hetherington studied at the Royal College of Music, the Mascarade Opera Studio in Florence, and the Centre de Perfeccionament at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia in Valencia.
Recent engagements include the title role in Jonathan Dove’s Itch (Opera Holland Park), Prologue/Peter Quint The Turn of the Screw (Ustinov Studio), Bri
Tenor
Xavier Hetherington studied at the Royal College of Music, the Mascarade Opera Studio in Florence, and the Centre de Perfeccionament at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia in Valencia.
Recent engagements include the title role in Jonathan Dove’s Itch (Opera Holland Park), Prologue/Peter Quint The Turn of the Screw (Ustinov Studio), Brighella Ariadne auf Naxos(Netherlandse Reisopera) Don José Carmen (Waterperry Opera Festival), Dick Dauntless Ruddigore, Shepherd and coverOrpheus (Opera North),
Ahasuerus Esther (The English Consort and Solomon’s Knot, Wigmore Hall, Halle Händel Festspiele and Musikfestspiele Saar),
Mozart’s Requiem (Wurzburg Festival) and Lieutenant Kotler A Child in Striped Pyjamas (Echo Ensemble, world premiere).
Orlando Jopling
Marta Fontanals Simmons
Orlando Jopling
Musical Director
Orlando Jopling's conducting work ranges from positions at the Royal Opera House, Royal Ballet, and English National Ballet, to concerts and recordings with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players, and the Wild Arts Ensemble among many others.
Before starting Wild Arts, he co-foun
Musical Director
Orlando Jopling's conducting work ranges from positions at the Royal Opera House, Royal Ballet, and English National Ballet, to concerts and recordings with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players, and the Wild Arts Ensemble among many others.
Before starting Wild Arts, he co-founded Tête à Tête and Stanley Hall Opera, and conducted almost 50 opera productions with various companies.
Eleanor Corr
Marta Fontanals Simmons
Orlando Jopling
Leader
Eleanor Corr was winner of the Royal Overseas League Competition 2020 and in 2022 was awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, “awarded to alumni of the Academy who have distinguished themselves in the profession and made a significant contribution in their particular field”.
Much in demand as a concertmaster, Eleanor has rec
Leader
Eleanor Corr was winner of the Royal Overseas League Competition 2020 and in 2022 was awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, “awarded to alumni of the Academy who have distinguished themselves in the profession and made a significant contribution in their particular field”.
Much in demand as a concertmaster, Eleanor has recently guest led Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Trondheim Symfoniorkester, Stavanger Symfoniorkester, London Concertante, Paraorchestra, Orchestra Nova London, Norrlandsoperan, and Orkester Innlandet, and has guest co-led Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra.
She has led English Touring Opera for 3 years, including 4 months leading associate period instrument orchestra Old Street Band, is leader of Buxton International Festival Orchestra, is regular leader of Orpheus Sinfonia, where she has recently been named Principal Violin, and has been Orchestral Mentor for the Royal Academy of Music, tutoring the 1st violins and string principals.