Finding Space to Create …

Over the last few months there have been fewer sightings than usual in the office of one of our Artistic Directors, conductor Michael Rafferty.

This is not to say that he has been shirking his duties though - far from it. Indeed he has been out and about more than ever (just not necessarily in Cardiff Bay) and this can be attributed to the decision by Arts Council of Wales last November to offer him a Creative Wales Award.

As the title of the award suggests, the purpose of these awards is to make it possible for individual artists to take time out and find space in their life to 'create'. It's the equivalent of what in many other industries is known as R&D - research and development.

As a result of the award Michael has been travelling across the UK and Europe meeting with internationally established ensembles and conductors as he researches and observes ways of presenting new music through imaginative programming and presentation. At the same time he has been refining and expanding his conducting technique beyond his current expertise in contemporary chamber opera.

Another recipient of a Creative Wales Award last November was our friend Gerald Tyler a member of the In the Penal Colony cast.

In his inimitable way, Gerald outlines his plans to use the award to "behave more like the artist I strive to be and less like the producer that I have, out of necessity, become. By working alone, without deadlines and then with other artists I respect and admire for their bravery, I hope to re-acquire some of my more youthful idealism and tally it with what craft and experience I have accrued in more 'mature' years".

We wish both Michael and Gerald a productive year and look forward to sharing with them the fruits of their labours.

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