Helen is a London-based lyric soprano recognised for the 'mellifluous', 'alluring', and 'affecting' quality of her vocal tone, her 'arresting stage presence', and the conviction & intensity of her dramatic characterisation.
Helen has considerable experience in contemporary music projects, having been privileged to create the role of Nimue in the world premiere of Keith Beal's opera Merlin (Hastings Philharmonic); to perform as soloist in the world premiere of Orlando Gough's Bayeux, which was commissioned for the 950th celebration of 1066; to create the role of Ruth in the world premiere of John Whittaker's one-act chamber opera The Three Wayfarers (Opera Anywhere); to perform solo vocals for the multi-awarding winning short science-fiction film APEX (Numinous Pictures); to create the role of Aisha in the world premiere of Roger Simmonds' Lizzie Strata (Oxfordshire Contemporary Opera); and to cover the role of Aurora in the world premiere of Noah Mosley's opera Aurora (Bury Court Opera).
Helen has received first-rate reviews for the diverse fully-staged opera roles that she has performed, including: Calisto (La Calisto, Cavalli, Cockpit Theatre); Alcina (Alcina, Handel, Ensemble OrQuesta); Diane (Hippolyte et Aricie, Rameau, Grimeborn Opera Festival); Woodpecker (The Cunning Little Vixen, Janáček, Royal Academy Opera); Pamina (Die Zauberflöte, Mozart, Hastings Philharmonic); Amastre (Xerse, Cavalli, Grimeborn Opera Festival); Despina (Cosi fan tutte, Mozart, Woodhouse Opera Festival); Nerone (L'incoronazione di Poppea, Monteverdi, Cockpit Theatre); Giannetta (L’elisir d'amore, Donizetti, Woodhouse Opera Festival); Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro, Mozart, Ensemble OrQuesta); Valletto (L'incoronazione di Poppea, Monteverdi, Hampstead Garden Opera); Galatea (Acis and Galatea, Handel, Ensemble OrQuesta); Morgana (Alcina, Handel, Secret Opera); Diane (Hippolyte et Aricie, Rameau, Woodhouse Opera with Ensemble OrQuesta); First Lady (The Magic Flute, Mozart, London Opera Players); and Yum Yum (The Mikado, Gilbert & Sullivan, Opera Anywhere). In concert, Helen has recently performed with the Lambeth Orchestra and the Dunraven Chamber Choir, taking the roles of the Dew Fairy and Sandman for a performance of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, and she has performed the roles of Tatyana (Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky), and Mrs Page (Sir John in Love, Vaughan Williams) in scenes for Royal Academy Opera. Previously, in scenes for Barefoot Opera, Helen has performed Altisadora (Don Quixote, Purcell); Cleopatra (Guilio Cesare, Handel); Arsemene (Serse, Handel); Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro, Mozart); Zerlina (Don Giovanni, Mozart); Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte, Mozart); and Frasquita (Carmen, Bizet).
As an oratorio soloist, Helen has performed: Poulenc's Gloria (Grange Choral Society); Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, Schubert's Mass in G, and Holst's Two Psalms (Hastings Philharmonic); Haydn's 'Nelson Mass' (Cardiff University Symphony Chorus and Chamber Orchestra); Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem, Mozart's Requiem in D minor, Poulenc's Stabet Mater and Górecki's Symphony No. 3, 'Sorrowful Songs' (St. John's, Hyde Park); Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music and Handel's Dixit Dominus (Epiphoni Consort); Handel's Messiah (Haslemere Symphony Orchestra and Chorus); and Mozart’s Coronation Mass in C major and Fauré’s Requiem (Cardiff University Chamber Choir, and St John's, Hyde Park). As a recitalist Helen has been selected to join the Academy Voices, performing in a series of concerts under the auspices of the 'Transcending Borders' recital series at the Italian Cultural Institute, participating in an Austrian recital [II] and an Italian recital [VII]. Helen has also performed with a number of renowned chamber ensembles for competitions, BBC broadcasts, CD recordings, and concerts, in the UK and abroad (see Diary Archives).
Future performances include: the role of Pamina in The Magic Flute (The Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Cheltenham); and the role of Leonore in excerpts from Beethoven's Fidelio with Wendover Choral Society. Helen has further exciting projects booked into her diary for summer 2020 and beyond, which she looks forward to announcing in due course.
In September 2019 Helen commenced her second year of study for a Master of Arts in Performance at the Royal Academy of Music, under the tutelage of Nuccia Focile and Iain Ledingham. She is one of just three sopranos selected this year to join the Academy's prestigious Preparatory Opera Course. Helen also benefits from private teaching with the Brazilian baritone and opera director, Marcio da Silva, and has been privileged to participate in masterclasses given by distinguished singers such as Isobel Buchanan and Toby Spence. She is grateful for the ongoing support of the William Gibbs Educational Trust and the Josephine Baker Trust. Helen's undergraduate studies in music took place at Cardiff University, where she held the David Lloyd Vocal Scholarship, was awarded the Geraint Evans Prize for outstanding recital performance, and performed regularly as a soloist with the Cardiff University Chamber Choir. Helen is an alumna of Wells Cathedral School, one of the UK's five specialist music schools, where she was awarded a 'special provisions' music place in the sixth form.
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