Earlier this year Welsh National Opera announced plans to expanded our talent development programme. With generous support from the Shirley and Rolf Olsen Bursary we were able to give three young artists the opportunity to work with the Company, aiding them along the early stages of their career.
Following nationwide auditions in 2019, we are pleased to welcome soprano Isabelle Peters, tenor Adam Gilbert and baritone Aaron O'Hare as our Associate Artists for the 2020-2021 Season. Under the watchful eye of mentor and renowned soprano Rebecca Evans - the programme's Ambassador - Isabelle, Adam and Aaron will receive a full-time, year-long traineeship.
As a BAME Fellow at English National Opera for their 2019/2020 Season, Isabelle Peters appeared in the role of First Bridesmaid in The Marriage of Figaro and covered Frasquita in Carmen. An alumna of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Royal Northern College of Music, Isabelle regularly collaborates with pianists to perform Art Song repertoire.
After 10 years as a baritone, working with some of the most prestigious opera companies in the UK and abroad including Glyndebourne, Scottish Opera, English National Opera and Opera Holland Park, Adam Gilbert recently moved up to the tenor repertoire, making his debut in the role of Florestan in Fidelio in 2019.
Aaron O'Hare is from Northern Ireland and graduated from University of Ulster and Royal Northern College of Music. He joined Garsington Opera's Alvarez Young Artist programme for their 2016 Season and was selected for Opera Holland Park's Young Artists Scheme in 2018. Earlier this year he appeared with Opera de Lyon as a member of their Opera Studio.
WNO is proud to be able to provide this platform to young talent from around the United Kingdom. Previous Associate Artists include David Soar, Camilla Roberts and Robin Tritschler, among many others who have gone on to successful careers around the world.
Monitored and supported by WNO's Head of Artistic Management and Head of Music, all three artists have already been at work, helping us create digital performances and getting involved in some of our community projects such as Cradle Choir.
If you would like to get better acquainted with our Associate Artists, head over to our Instagram page where each artist has shared a little something about themselves.
WNO Associate Arist programme is also supported by Joseph Strong Frazer Charitable Trust, The Thriplow Charitable Trust, The Fidelio Charitable Trust and Garrick Charitable Trust
WNO Talent Development programme is supported by Bateman Family Charitable Trust and Kirby Laing Foundation