February News
Opera Prelude Young Artist News – February 2026
February was a wonderfully full and energetic month for Opera Prelude, beginning with the continuation of our OperaBites series in Hampstead.
On 7th February, we were thrilled to welcome tenor Sangeup Son for his programme “King of the High Cs”—and he certainly lived up to the title. The audience was captivated by the sheer power and brilliance of his voice, delivered with remarkable ease despite the demanding repertoire. It was a truly exhilarating way to begin the month, and we are very grateful to Sangeup and pianist Yongqiu Yuan for such a memorable evening of music-making.
OperaBites Hampstead
Our OperaBites series also continued in Barnes, where soprano Olivia Rose Tringham explored the richness and versatility of the full lyric soprano voice. Performing works from Rusalka, The Flying Dutchman, and beyond, she brought both beauty and stylistic nuance to her programme. Olivia’s voice is both powerful and expressive, and we were delighted to share her artistry with our audience.
We were then fortunate to welcome conductor Renato Balsadonna for a special masterclass and insight morning focusing on L’elisir d’amore. Joined by Opera Prelude Young Artists Erin Rossington, Simon Mascarenhas Carter, Jack Sandison, and Stephen Whitford, this was a truly engaging and enriching event. Renato’s depth of knowledge and generous guidance offered invaluable insight to both performers and audience members alike. Each young artist performed excerpts from the opera, bringing its musical and dramatic character vividly to life. Our sincere thanks to Renato and all the artists involved for such an inspiring morning.
The month concluded with two thought-provoking lecture recitals. In London, Kristina Ammattil presented Roles and Allegory in Contemporary Opera, introducing audiences to compelling modern repertoire, while in Henley, Nancy Holt explored How Castrati Influenced the Mezzo-Soprano Voice. Both events were beautifully researched and engagingly delivered, offering fresh perspectives and fascinating insights.
Alongside these performances, we were delighted to announce our upcoming collaboration with Opera Holland Park: Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins and Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti. This one-night-only performance on 20th August promises to be a highlight of the summer. Featuring a cast of outstanding Opera Prelude young artists alongside Opera Holland Park favourite soprano Alison Langer, it is set to be a very special occasion. Tickets are now on sale, and we warmly encourage you to secure yours early.
February has been a busy and rewarding month, and we are deeply grateful to all our performers and supporters for making it such a success.