We are incredibly proud of our full-time Orchestra of Opera North. The players not only ensure every opera we open sounds amazing, but they also perform an annual symphonic and chamber concert series in Kirklees. This season, we welcome two new players and congratulate a third on becoming a Principal in the strings section.
Massimo Martone - percussion
Massimo has joined the orchestra as Section Principal Percussion. Born in Rome, he developed a passion for music when he was just four years old, joining the Conservatoire ‘Santa Cecilia’ in Rome at the age of 10, where he gained a Pre-Academic Diploma in Classical Percussion and Jazz Drum Kit. After moving to the UK, Massimo finished his high school studies at the renowned Purcell School, later graduating with First Class Honours and Distinction from the Royal Academy of Music in London.
The recipient of numerous awards and distinctions, Massimo has played with many prestigious orchestras, including London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Philharmonia Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Britten Sinfonia, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra of Tuscany.
Massimo Martone, Section Principal Percussion
Robert Johnston - trumpet
Robert joins the orchestra as Principal Trumpet. Robert studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff and has enjoyed a varied career as a freelance trumpet player. For the past 25 years, he has worked predominantly with Welsh National Opera.
Other orchestral engagements have included playing with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra.
Robert has performed extensively across the UK, as well as touring throughout Europe and Asia, including in Japan, Hong Kong and Dubai. He is particularly looking forward to performing Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde next year.
Robert Johnston, Principal Trumpet
Oliver Baily - violin
A graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, where he was the recipient of several awards, Oliver was appointed Principal (No 2) Second Violin in the Orchestra of Opera North earlier this year. He was previously Sub Principal, a position he had held since 2024.
Alongside his orchestral playing, Oliver is a founding member and First Violinist of the award-winning Treske String Quartet, with whom he has performed extensively across the UK and Ireland, as well as at festivals in the USA and Canada. In addition to the core quartet repertoire, the group is deeply committed to performing contemporary music, actively championing new works and working closely with emerging composers.
Oliver is grateful to the Harrison Frank Family Foundation for the loan of a modern violin and bow made by W.E Hill & Sons.
Oliver Baily, Principal (No 2) Second Violin
You can hear the Orchestra of Opera North at Huddersfield Town Hall on Thursday 3 December when the programme includes repertoire by Debussy, Korngold, R. Strauss and Ravel.
