- This lecture has passed.
Percussion – Use and Abuse
January 8 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Event Navigation
Nigel Bates is a professional percussionist and he will explore the development of percussion instruments over the the last 100 years and show video footage from the orchestra pit at the Royal Opera House.
Nigel Bates
English percussionist, manager, writer and speaker Nigel Bates is Music Administrator for The Royal Ballet. He was Section Principal Percussion of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House 1993–2009 and was appointed to his current position with The Royal Ballet in 2012. His other work at the Royal Opera House includes production on the BBC series ‘Maestro at the Opera’ and ‘Pappano’s Classical Voices’, as well as continuing to perform with the Orchestra. He is a regular contributor to the Royal Opera House programmes and is the chair of the Staff and Artists Charity Project.
Bates began his career as a percussionist with the Band of the Scots Guards. He was principal percussionist with Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet Orchestra 1979–83 and has worked as a freelance percussionist with nearly all the London orchestras and ensembles, including BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. He has taught percussion at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, among other schools, and has lectured on music and the arts around the UK and Australia. Former roles include directing the music consultancy and technology companies Acorn Audio and Artslink International.
Bates lived in Australia 2009–11, during which time he directed the Central Queensland Messiah Project. He was a founding member of the advocacy group Arts Central Queensland, and in 2011 was General Manager of the Sydney Fine Music Radio station (formerly known as 2MBS).
One of the best for a very long time. Informative, interesting,, entertaining and most enjoyable. Heard many similar comments. More like this please.
I had not expected this lecture to be up my street but it was most unusual and entertaining. The excerpts from ballet and opera were well chosen and interesting. The diction was good in spite of ongoing issues with the sound system and three cheers the questions could be heard at the back Of the hall because the microphone was used. It was also very disciplined and kept within the hour. So important for those driving long distances and alone on winter evenings. Well done.
A really super and entertaining talk, videos and audio worked well. As noted below, it’s appreciated that the talk finished on time.
Excellent lecture despite on going sound problems.
Thoroughly enjoyed this lecture. Very interesting and so well constructed. Music is such a major component of The Arts so wonderful to have this aspect as part of our programme.
A very informative and interesting talk which I enjoyed very much.
I too thought this lecture was outstanding: it was lively, informative, and fascinating. Thank you.