Alan has a first class honours degree in Opera Studies and is currently preparing to begin a PhD in operatic performance semantics and aesthetics, and directorial practice. Having worked in support and development for the last 15 years for a global software company, he has also worked as a director, actor and singer. He has a bad back after having to carry Kim Begley across a stage, when he mistimed picking him up. Alan joined the Committee in August 2017 and has edited Wagner News since the start of 2018. He succeeded Richard Miles as Chairman in 2019 and attended his first International Wagner Congress in Venice in November 2019.
Stuart is a Natural Scientist by education, but due to very poor lab technique he became an accountant. He recently retired after 38 years travelling the world auditing other people’s accounts. Now as treasurer, he has gone to the other side. Stuart’s first Wagner opera was in the early 2000’s when he stood for hours for a standing ticket at the back of The Met for Rheingold – something he would not do now (both because his knees couldn’t take it and – don’t shoot me – it’s Rheingold…). Stuart is also treasurer of the Camden Music Trust which supports music activities for young people in Camden. He played the clarinet at school but sadly did not keep it going. His introduction to music came via a school lesson on Tippett’s Concerto for Double String Orchestra when he was 12 (still a favourite piece).
Anthony is the retired chairman of a management consulting company and lives in Chipstead. He previously held the role of Secretary of the Society but is currently offering his services simply as an experienced committee member. He has four wonderful daughters and he and his long-suffering wife have travelled across the world to enjoy multiple Wagner productions ever since they met. Covid-permitting, he has attended Bayreuth every year since 2006. As well as his addiction to the Wagner canon he is an indifferent golfer, a driver of Bristol cars, lover of string quartets and a regular litter-picker around his village in Surrey.
Jo grew up in Oxfordshire and was introduced to Wagner’s music through her mother as a child. Jo attended The Purcell School, studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Junior Department, and played viola in the National Youth Orchestra, before reading Music at Oxford. After that, she became a corporate finance solicitor, but missed music too much so has now returned to the music industry. Jo regularly goes to Bayreuth, organises numerous trips to the opera with friends, and loves introducing people to the world of opera and classical, and, of course, Wagner.
Philip has been a member of the Wagner Society for probably over 40 years and has seen a lot of change over that time. He is now keen to be part of the journey for the next phase of our Society’s development. His business career spanned a number of senior management roles as Finance Director and Managing Director in a number of service businesses. Now retired, he has recently gained a 1st Class Honours Degree in Opera Studies and was involved with the Board of Regents Opera at the time they successfully performed their full Ring Cycle. Â As a “Freund von Bayreuth” Philip is a regular visitor to the Green Hill as well as supporting Royal Opera, Grange Park Opera and the Longborough Festival back home.
Ram’s interest in Wagner and in German culture started when he did his first degree in German Literature at Dartmouth College in the US. He subsequently received graduate degrees from the LSE and Cambridge before working for many years across all aspects of film and television development, production and distribution, eventually segueing into writing. His first novel will be published in June 2024. A dual citizen of France and the US, Ram lives in west London.