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

John Findon (Tenor)

Trained: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

In 2019/20: Remendado Carmen, Gamekeeper Rusalka

Previously at ENO: Witch Hansel and Gretel (2018/19)

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