Laura Mitchell soprano

Born in Hertfordshire in 1980, Laura Mitchell studied as a scholar at the Royal College of Music in London where she gained a first-class honours degree and postgraduate diploma. She returned to the RCM in 2005-2007 to continue studying with Lillian Watson at the Benjamin Britten International Opera School. Most recently she won the song prize at the Kathleen Ferrier awards, and the RCM Lies Askonas prize. This September Laura will be at the National Opera Studio.

In 2006/07 she has toured with English touring opera (singing Aldimira in Erismena by Cavalli, Ninfa and Proserpina in Orfeo by Monteverdi, covering Elisa in Tolomeo by Handel, First Witch in Dido and Aeneas by Purcell, and joining the chorus in Jephte by Carissimi), and was highly acclaimed in the BBIOS production of Tolomeo by Handel (role of Elisa) as part of the London Handel Festival. European recital work has taken her to the Theatre de Rozzi, Siena (Still voice sings within, Concordia foundation), St.Peters Basilica, Rome, and Paris. Whilst in the UK she has performed in Exeter Cathedral (Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, Brahms Requiem), lunchtime recital for the ROSL, Wigmore Hall, Purcell room, Windsor festival, Orffs’ Carmina Burana at Haileybury, Herts and Orwell Park, Ipswich, Bolivar Hall as part of the London guitar festival, The National Portrait Gallery, and Handel’s Messiah in Kings College Chapel, Cambridge with the Academy of Ancient Music under Stephen Cleobury.

She is part of a Voice/guitar duo with Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanski. Most recently they did a Music Network tour of Ireland, and their debut at the Purcell room with the band Machaca (with whom they recorded a CD). They have played before the Mexican Embassy, Venezuelan Embassy, the Queen of Denmark and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. They received 1st Prize in the Peter Pears Duo Competition.

Laura has received generous support from the Concordia Foundation Barthel Prize, the Josephine Baker, Diana Holme and Felicity Lowe Trust Funds, the Marylebone Education Foundation, Sussex Opera and Ballet Society and the Ann Driver Trust Fund. This year she has been awarded the prestigious Wingate Scholarship, and the Douglas and Hilda Simmonds award (RCM). Her studies are supported next year by The Countess of Munster Musical Trust.

Forth coming events include the role of the Countess from Mozart's The marriage of Figaro at the BBIOS, Chester Festival duo recital, St James’ Piccadily duo recital, tour of Denmark with the London Pro-Art orchestra, recital in Paris, and Mozarts Exultate Jubilate in Hatfield House.