Introducing our next Rising Stars of the Enlightenment 31 March 2023
It’s a big OAE ‘Hello!’ to our new rising stars Madison Nonoa (soprano), Frances Gregory (mezzo soprano), Rebecca Leggett (mezzo soprano) – top row in the picture from left to right – and Laurence Kilsby (tenor), Malachy Frame (baritone) and Florian Störtz (bass) – bottom row from the left.
Initiated in 2017, Rising Stars of the Enlightenment is a two-year programme for emerging singers. It is part of our broader commitment to investing in the talents of the future. It supports artists in their professional development and includes numerous performance opportunities with the Orchestra as part of the programme of its London residencies at the Southbank Centre and Kings Place, as well as around the UK and on international tours.
"Yip Harburg, the lyricist of The Wizard of Oz wrote ‘words make you think a thought, music makes you feel a feeling, but a song makes you feel a thought’. The singers we have chosen for Rising Stars have the ability to communicate not just with beauty of sound but with intelligent engagement with text. This is what great singing is all about."
The singers were selected from over 100 applicants who responded to an open call and following an audition process that included video and live auditions. You’ll be hearing the Rising Stars on the platform with us quite a bit over the next few years, including as part of our soon-to-be-announced 2023/24 season at the Southbank Centre and Bach, the Universe and Everything series at Kings Place.
