Our repertory ensemble model is unique in the UK and places early career singers at its heart, providing a richly supportive environment at the stage when careers are so precarious.

Each year we offer between 5 and 8 weeks work to our ensemble company who work across all of the productions. Singers learn new repertoire and gain invaluable performance experience with structured coaching and mentoring support. Wellbeing is at the heart of our company and our collegiate approach fosters mutual respect, supports mental health and provides the conditions for artists to thrive and in turn inspire our audiences.

Artists range from recent Conservatoire graduates at the beginning of their careers to more experienced singers, later on in their development, seeking the next step.

If Opera Artistic Director, Oliver Gooch, explains why what we offer to young singers is so important:

“Supporting singers at the outset of their careers and developing their extraordinary talent is central to our work at If Opera. Once the hubbub of conservatoire life has passed, artists are at their prime to explore, develop and showcase their work. We are dedicated to supporting every singer that works with If Opera, be it the ‘nuts and bolts’ of coaching with our music staff, advice about the inner workings of the industry, introduction to agents, audition coaching or simply giving them a platform to shine centre stage.

At If Opera, we strive to offer not only an enticing variety of roles to our ensemble, but also an environment where they can be themselves, say what they really think, and not fear the repercussions of being ill on first night or worry that there is no one to talk to when demands of the job get too much. Your support and dedication to supporting our repertory ensemble will not only help give them financial reassurance but also a sense of place and positive wellbeing to continue to grow and thrive as performing artists in years to come.”

A case in point

In 2015 a young lyric-coloratura soprano, Robyn Allegra Parton, joined our Young Artists Scheme to cover the role of Oscar in Verdi’s Un ballo in Maschera. Fast forward nine years, and we are delighted to welcome Robyn back as the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor.

“I'm thrilled to debut the challenging and iconic role of Lucia di Lammermoor with a company that already knows me well and prioritizes artist development. This will allow me the creative freedom to discover Lucia during the production process - the perfect way to get to know her! As a former young artist with If Opera, I know that opportunities for young artists to transition from education to major roles are essential and hard to come by. If Opera is crucial in providing this support for UK-trained singers.”

Robyn Allegra Parton

Since 2010, If Opera has been inspiring school children across Wiltshire and Somerset, providing opportunities for children to work alongside outstanding professional vocal animateurs, singers and musicians. With a proven track record for the quality of its performances, young artists programme and schools’ projects, we want to introduce many more young people to the wonder of opera, and our schools programme is central to this mission.

Based on Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II, we hosted a series of workshops in three primary schools in Wiltshire, and one SEND school in Bath. In these workshops students worked on all aspects of creating a show with singing, movement, drama, song-writing and prop making, to create an in-schools performance of their own mini-operetta, inspired by the themes and music of the original.

Each school received four half day workshops which culminated in a 30-minute student and professionals’ performance.

This year's school projects were devised and led by charismatic soprano and founder director of Celebrate Voice Lynsey Docherty. Lynsey has been a creative director for arts organisations across the UK, including the Royal Opera House, Grange Festival, and Dorset Opera as Director of Education. She has led all of If Opera’s past projects, joined recently by composer/lyricist Tim Gilvin and tenor Anthony Flaum.

Learning from, working with, and performing alongside professionals, our aim is that pupils will gain confidence from being immersed in the performing arts. They work together in new ways to find means of self-expression, communication and engagement. Our projects aim to promote their imaginations and creativity, whilst immersing them in new music as well as giving them ownership of work they contribute to and create.

"It was the best thing I've ever done at Three Ways!" Theo, Threeways School

“This has been a magical experience for our children – how many other primary aged children get the opportunity to work with opera professionals? The growth in our children in only 4 sessions was incredible – particularly our SEND children. To be honest I was quite overwhelmed with what your team achieved with our children.” Head Teacher, Mere School

Live performances get us out and bring us together, and with more and more evidence of the negative health impacts of loneliness, we are delighted to be partnering again with Bluebird Care and the Wiltshire Music Centre, for an ‘Afternoon of Tea and Opera’ event for older isolated adults.

Hosted at the Wiltshire Music Centre, artists from the If Opera company will perform some of their favourite music from opera and musical theatre. This event is one of the most important outreach events we undertake each year and is steered by the wonderful Lynsey Docherty, soprano and animateur, who has taken a key role in our education and outreach work over the past few years.