National Opera Studio

Studio Saturday | Auditions day

Thank you to those singers who signed up to our very first Studio Saturday centred around auditions.

The day was a unique opportunity for opera singers to experience the realities of professional auditions, and to receive guidance and feedback from leading industry professionals.

Sessions included mock auditions, CV guidance, 1:1 feedback, a group reflection, and a Q&A with the panel.

We are grateful to this wonderful team who led the day:

Lottie Gulliver - Opera Casting Consultant & Producer
Sarah-Jane Davies - Scottish Opera
Elaine Kidd - Royal Ballet and Opera
Liz Rowe - NOS Senior Staff Coach

Interested in future courses at the Studio? Head to the following link to apply for our free summer short courses or sign up to our newsletter.

https://www.nationaloperastudio.org.uk/short-courses/

Photos: Richard Hubert Smith

How many former and future NOS artists can we squeeze into a summer at Garsington Opera?
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La Traviata - Verdi

Thomas D Hopkinson (Bass 2020/21) - Doctor Grenvil
Alexandria Moon (Mezzo-soprano 2026/27) - Flora Bervoix
Peter Lidbetter (Bass 2025/26) - Messenger
Roland Wood (Baritone 1999/00) - Giorgio Germont
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Der Rosenkavalier

Ben McAteer (Baritone 2013/14) - Herr von Faninal
Robert Murray (Tenor 2003/04) - Valzacchi
Siân Griffiths (Mezzo-soprano 2021/22) - Annina
Ana-Carmen Balestra (Soprano 2024/25) - Three noble daughters
Clover Kayne (Mezzo-soprano 2026/27) - Three noble daughters
Ceferina Penny (Soprano 2024/25) - A milliner
Tomos Owen Jones (Tenor 2025/26) - An innkeeper
Ambrose Connolly (Baritone 2025/26) - Lackey
Joshua McCullough (Bass 2026/27) - Waiter
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Il Ritorno d’Ulisse - Monteverdi

Ed Lyon (Tenor 2004/05) - Ulisse
Fiona Kimm (Mezzo-soprano 1978/79) - Ericlea
Thomas D Hopkinson (Bass 2020/21) - Tempo
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The Importance of Being Earnest

Peter Lidbetter (Bass 2025/26) - Lane/Merriman
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Alvarez Emerging Artists 2026

Ana-Carmen Balestra (Soprano 2024/25)
Ceferina Penny (Soprano 2024/25)
Tomos Owen Jones (Tenor 2025/26)
Ambrose Connolly (Baritone 2025/26)
Peter Lidbetter (Bass 2025/26)
Clover Kayne (Mezzo-soprano 2026/27)
Ellie Forrester (Soprano 2026/27)
Joshua McCullough (Bass 2026/27)
Alexandria Moon (Mezzo-soprano 2026/27)

Su Chung (Repetiteur 2025/26) as the Trainee Repetiteur
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What a line-up!

Farewell to our 2025/26 Young Artists 🧡

Last week we waved goodbye to our fantastic 2025/26 Young Artists

We’ve had an amazing year with them, and wish them all the best with their busy summer seasons and future careers!

Sopranos
- Elisabeth Eunsoo Lee
- Rachel McLean
- Georgia Melville
- Biqing Zhang

Mezzo-sopranos
- Mathilda Goike
- Lily Mo Browne
- Carmen Lázaro

Tenor
- Tomos Owen Jones

Baritone
- Ambrose Connolly

Bass-baritone
- Jack Sandison

Bass
- Peter Lidbetter

Repetiteurs
- André Bertoncini
- Su Choung
- Henry Reavey
- Alfonso Sánchez Pérez

Congratulations to the six NOS alums named in the English National Opera 2026/27 season - particularly to Olivia Rose Tringham who has recently been announced as an ENO Harewood Artist 🎉

Tosca - Puccini - London Coliseum

🌟 Robert Hayward (NOS alum 1985/86) as Sacristan

Iphigénie en Tauride - Gluck - London Coliseum

🌟 Olivia Rose Tringham (NOS alum 2024/25) (ENO Harewood Artist) as First Priestess

Breaking the Waves - Missy Mazzoli & Royce Vavrek - London Coliseum

🌟 Emma Bell (NOS alum 1998/99) as Mrs McNeill
🌟 Andri Björn Róbertsson (NOS alum 2023/14) as Terry

Trial by Jury & The Zoo - Gilbert and Sullivan & Sullivan and Rowe - London Coliseum

🌟 Robert Murray (NOS alum 2003/04) as Aesculapius (The Zoo) & The Defendant - Edwin (Trial by Jury)
🌟 Madeleine Shaw (NOS alum 2005/26) as Eliza Smith (The Zoo)

What a lovely way to spend a lunchtime 🎶

We were delighted to return to the prestigious Wigmore Hall for a lunchtime recital featuring songs drawn from diverse cultural traditions, which celebrated themes of heritage, connection and discovery through the concept of ‘home’.

Congratulations to all our wonderful 2025/26 Young Artists! Particular mention to those who made their Wigmore Hall debuts.

📸 Richard Hubert Smith

It’s week 35 - our final week with our 2025/26 Young Artists!

What a year it's been! We’re rounding off the last 9 months with three recitals, one in the beautiful Wigmore Hall, and two in our own Blackburn Hall.

Our 2026 fundraising auction is live 🎉

Every bid helps the National Opera Studio continue to provide world-class, fully funded training for young artists developing their careers in opera.

There are some wonderful items available this year, including unique opera experiences and special cultural opportunities, all in support of the artists and training at the heart of the Studio.

Highlights include:

- A Hermès silk scarf worn by Luciano Pavarotti
- An extract of a letter from Sullivan to Gilbert, featuring Sullivan’s signature.
- Your own private gala
- A tour and afternoon tea for two in the House of Lords
- A private VIP box for an ENO opening night at the London Coliseum
- Dinner with Brindley Sherratt
- A portrait drawing by Anthony Connolly

Bidding closes on the 21st of May.

Explore the auction here https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/137802/auctions/199611?r=1&t=all