Young Artists
The renowned Garsington Opera Chorus is formed of members of the Alvarez Young Artists’ Programme, which aims to discover and nurture the next generation of professional opera singers.
2025 Young Artist Applications now closed
Led by Head of Music and Chorus Director Jonathon Cole-Swinard, the programme recruits annually from conservatoires internationally in search of young singers with the talent and flair to become the soloists of tomorrow. In addition to singing in the chorus, the majority of our Young Artists understudy a principal role or sing a small role, which enables them to prepare as a soloist alongside established artists and creatives.
Understudies rehearse with assistant directors and conductors, culminating in a cover run of each opera attended by Garsington’s artistic team. In 2025 the main OperaFirst performance will be L’elisir d’amore, where covers will perform a full show with the Philharmonia Orchestra for a schools’ audience. We also hope to do a reduced Rodelinda for a primary school audience with The English Concert.
In addition to their chorus and cover activity, Young Artists attend extra-curricular seminars on auditioning, agents, self-promotion, CVs, tax for self-employed artists, mental well-being and working in the German Fest opera system. We also offer the chance to make a professionally produced aria recording, and hold masterclasses at Wormsley with guest teachers and Garsington principals. At the end of the Festival each artist has a feedback session to reflect on their progress and discuss prospects for the future.
The chance for progression is critical to the ethos of the programme. Certain principal roles in future seasons are earmarked to be cast with former Alvarez Young Artists and during each Festival members of the current cohort have the chance to be auditioned by Artistic Director Douglas Boyd.
The result of this strategic investment was evident in Platée, where four supporting roles were cast with members of the Young Artists’ Programme. We also welcomed back former Young Artists Claire Lees (Orfeo, 2022), Bethany Horak-Hallett (Cosi fan tutte) and Frazer Scott (Orfeo 2022, Il barbiere di siviglia and The Bartered Bride, 2023) in our principal cast of Le nozze di Figaro, singing Susanna, Cherubino and Antonio respectively.
How to Apply
Applications for our 2025 Young Artists programme have closed.
Details of our 2026 Young Artists programme will be released in August 2025.
2024 Award Winners
Each year we make financial awards to exceptional artists and colleagues who have excelled during the season. The Helen Clarke and Simon Sandbach Awards, given to members of the Chorus, honour the memory of two Garsington Opera staff members who left us before their time. The Leonard Ingrams Awards, named after our founder, can be awarded to any young professional – singers, conductors, directors – and recognise extraordinary talent and dedication.
Leonard Ingrams Award
Holly Brown (Thalie in Platée and was a member of the chorus for Platée and Un giorno di regno. She also covered the role of Giulietta in Un giorno di regno)
Jessica Cale (chorus for Le nozze di Figaro and covered the role of Countess Almaviva, performing the role for the OperaFirst performance)
Helen Clarke Award
Richard Pittsinger (chorus for Platée and Un giorno di regno. He also covered the title role in Platée)
Simon Sandbach Award
James Geidt (chorus for Platée and Un giorno di regno. He also covered the role of Momus in Platée, and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performing the role for one performance and for the OperaFirst performance)
Nancy Holt (Maenad 2 in Platée and was a member of the chorus for Platée and Un giorno di regno. She also covered the role of Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performing the role for the OperaFirst performance)
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