Meet the Harewood Artist of 2020/21
The ENO Harewood Artist programme gives talented singers the opportunity to perform career-building roles with a major opera company while receiving specialist coaching, guidance and support over a 2-3 year period.
The new members of ENO’s programme for exceptionally talented singers in 2020/21 are
- Alexandra Oomens (soprano)
- Benson Wilson (baritone)
- William Thomas (bass)
Find out about all 12 singers in the programme
Claire Barnett-Jones (Mezzo-Soprano)
Trained:Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Academy Opera and Guildhall School of Music and Drama
In 2019/20: Eurydice The Myth/Persephone The Mask of Orpheus, Frederica (Cover) Luisa Miller, Jezibaba (Cover) Rusalka, Suzuki (Cover) Madam Butterfly
David Ireland (Bass-Baritone)
Trained: Guildhall School of Music and Drama, National Opera Studio
In 2019/20: Priest The Mask of Orpheus
Previously at ENO: Colline La bohème, Priests/Armed Man/Speaker The Magic Flute (2018/19), Covering Dr Bartolo The Barber of Seville (2017/18)
Elgan Llŷr Thomas (Tenor)
Trained: Royal Northern College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama
In 2019/20: Nanki-Poo The Mikado, Remendado Carmen
Previously at ENO: Johnny Insklinger Paul Bunyan, Normanno Lucia di Lammermoor (2018/19), Peter Quint The Turn of the Screw (2017/18)
Soraya Mafi (Soprano)
Supported by The Bruce Tollis Fellowship
Trained: Royal College of Music
In 2019/20: Love (Eros) Orpheus and Eurydice, Yum-Yum The Mikado
Previously at ENO: Tytania A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2017/18), Mabel The Pirates of Penzance (2016/17), Papagena The Magic Flute, Karolka Jenůfa (2015/16), Edith The Pirates of Penzance (2014/15)
William Morgan (Tenor)
Trained: Royal College of Music, National Opera Studio
In 2019/20: Priest The Mask of Orpheus, Reporter Orphée
Previously at ENO: Writer Jack the Ripper: The Women of Whitechapel (2018/19), Hot Biscuit Slim Paul Bunyan, Peter Quint The Turn of the Screw, Younger Man/Phaeton The Day After, Florizel (cover) The Winter’s Tale (2017/18), Younger Man Between Worlds (2014/15)
Idunnu Münch (Mezzo-Soprano)
Trained: Richard-Strauss Conservatory, Hochschule für Musik und Theater Munich
In 2019/20: Venus Orpheus in the Underworld, Second Wood Nymph Rusalka
Previously at ENO: Ensemble Porgy and Bess (2018/19)
Alexandra Oomens (soprano)
Trained: Georg Solti Accademia, Conservatorium of Music Sydney, Royal Academy of Music
Alex Otterburn (Baritone)
Trained: Royal Academy of Music
In 2019/20: Pluto Orpheus in the Underworld, Moralés Carmen
Previously at ENO: Squibby Jack the Ripper: The Women of Whitechapel (2018/19)
William Thomas (bass)
Trained: Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Nardus Williams (Soprano)
Trained: Royal Academy of Music
In 2019/20: Micaela Carmen
Previously at ENO: Countess (Cover) The Marriage of Figaro (2017/18)
Benson Wilson (baritone)
Training: University of Auckland, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Previously at ENO: John Shears Paul Bunyan