North-East audiences will get the rare chance to go behind the scenes this weekend and see four internationally-renowned stars of the classical music world share their insights with eight specially-selected outstanding young singers and pianists.

The latest public Masterclass from Northumberland-based music charity Samling, at Sage Gateshead, will be led by soprano Joan Rodgers, who has sung at many of the world’s most prestigious opera houses including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera, New York.

Joan will be joined by pianist Malcolm Martineau, widely acknowledged as one of the world’s finest accompanists, David Gowland, artistic director of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, and celebrated Broadway theatre and opera director Tim Carroll.

The public Masterclass will be held from 1.30 to 4.30pm on Saturday November 28, followed by a short concert at 5.15pm. It is the culmination of the week-long Samling Artist Programme.

During the week, eight Samling Artists – six singers and two pianists at the start of their professional careers – are experiencing intensive training in everything, from how they approach texts and vocal technique to movement and acting.

Samling artistic and executive director Karon Wright said: "Samling Artist Programme is unique, and its expert leaders, who are all masters in their field, will provide our Samling Artists with a week of intensive coaching, new perspectives on their craft and, above all, inspiration.”

She added: "Samling’s public Masterclass and Concert events at Sage Gateshead give audiences the rare chance to see world-renowned classical artists and directors on their doorstep, not only putting the stars of the future through their paces but also sharing that experience more widely with musicians and non-musicians alike across the region."

The Samling Artists this November are sopranos Filipa van Eck and Nardus Williams, mezzo-sopranos Maria Ostroukhova and Heather Lowe, tenor Tim Langston, bass-baritone Milan Siljanov, and pianists Somi Kim and Jâms Coleman.

Based in Hexham, Samling is an international centre of excellence in the development of classical artists, with County Durham opera star Sir Thomas Allen as its patron.

For nearly 20 years Samling has brought together the very best young professional singers and pianists with some of the world’s greatest artists, teachers and experts to nurture and develop their vocal and performance skills.

Tickets are £15 (concessions £13 /students £10) at www.sagegateshead.com or contact 0191-443 4661.