National Opera Studio

The National Opera Studio in London, England was established in 1977 by the Arts Council as a link between the music colleges and the six main UK opera companies. It was resident at Morley College in Lambeth until 2003, when it gained use for the first time of its own dedicated premises in Chapel Yard, Wandsworth. Former directors are Kathryn Harries, Donald Maxwell, Richard Van Allan, and Michael Langdon. It is responsible for the training of approximately twelve singers each academic year, as well as four piano répétiteurs. Its funding comes in part from the six main UK opera companies Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera North and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and it is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (2023-26).

Representatives from each company sit on the final audition panel for selection of each year's intake. The nine-month course usually includes residencies at three of the national opera companies, as well as opera scenes performances in London throughout the year.

Notable alumni

Peter Auty

Barry Banks

Jeffrey Black

Alfie Boe

Ivor Bolton

Susan Bullock

Alice Coote

Wynne Evans

Richard Farnes

Gerald Finley

Catherine Foster

Lesley Garrett

Lisa Gasteen

Julian Gavin

Carl Gombrich

Susan Gritton

Alison Hagley

Caitlin Hulcup

Buddug Verona James

Philip Joll

Paul Carey Jones

Katarina Karnéus

Marie McLaughlin

Jean Rigby

Kate Royal

Claire Rutter

William Shimell

Hilary Summers

Jeremy Huw Williams

Other notable alumni

Marie Arnet

Clive Bailey

Kim Begley

Matthew Best

Cora Burggraaf

Elizabeth Byrne

Bruno Caproni

Karen Cargill

Ashley Catling

John S. Craven

David Curry

Robert Dean

Imelda Drumm

Adrian Dwyer

Martin Fitzpatrick

Martene Grimson

Jonathan Gunthorpe

Gwyn Hughes-Jones

Thora Ker

Anthony Kraus

Garry Magee

Alastair Miles

Gerald Moore

Robert Murray

Steven Naylor

Steven Page

Joan Rodgers

Peter Rose

Rebecca Von Lipinski

Roland Wood

Notes

References

Langdon, Michael (1982) Notes From A Low Singer, Julia MacRae Books

External links

National Opera Studio website

Music schools in London

Performing arts education in London

Opera organizations

Opera companies

Music venues in London