Farewell Stuart
Stuart Barker will be leaving the BYO team in August 2023.
Stuart's journey with BYO began in 1994 as a trainee assistant director for a production of Eugene Onegin. Despite being his first experience in this role, he impressed the team and returned for several more productions in the same position. In 1997, Stuart was appointed as company manager for that year’s summer productions and returned for three more. In 2000, he offered to ‘help out in the office for a few weeks’ but stayed for much longer, soon becoming artistic administrator. In 2014, he was appointed director of training and productions.
Stuart's contributions to BYO aren’t just on the administrative side of things. He’s also directed BYO productions: L’elisir d’amore, Euridice, A Night at the Chinese Opera, The Little Green Swallow, The Cunning Little Vixen, English Eccentrics, The Vanishing Bridegroom, The Enchanted Island and La Cenerentola. He’s also been actively involved in teaching in regular workshops and other training events. His dedication to BYO and passion for opera training have been invaluable to the company's growth and success.