Lfo 2021 The Cunning Little Vixen Cr Matthew Williams Ellis 95

Emerging Artist Programme

Longborough’s Emerging Artist roles provide a unique performance opportunity with a world-class opera company. 

The scheme is ideal for singers that have recently finished, or are about to finish, their vocal studies; performers at the beginning of their careers; and those returning to the profession.

"The programme was invaluable in terms of improving musicianship, stagecraft and physical awareness. It provides a very positive and helpful start to our careers"

emerging artist programme 2026

Emerging Artist applications for Longborough’s 2026 season are now open.  

Handel: Orlando

13 April 2026 - 7 June 2026

Roles:

  • Dorinda (Soprano)

Cover roles:

  • Dorinda (Soprano)
  • Medoro (Mezzo / Contralto)
  • Zorastro (Bass)

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde

7 May 2026 - 18 July 2026

Roles:

  • Steuermann (Baritone)
  • Sailor (Tenor)

Cover roles:

  • Steuermann (Baritone)
  • Sailor (Tenor)
  • Shepherd (Tenor)

Chorus:

  • Tenors
  • Baritones
  • Basses

Verdi: Macbeth

19 May 2026 - 16 July 2026

Roles:

  • Herald (Bass)
  • Doctor (Bass)
  • Lady in Waiting (Mezzo)
  • Servant to Macbeth (Bass)
  • Assassin (Bass)
  • Apparitions (Sopranos / Bass)

Cover roles:

  • Banquo (Bass)
  • Malcolm (Tenor)
  • Herald (Bass)
  • Doctor (Bass)
  • Lady in Waiting (Mezzo)
  • Servant to Macbeth (Bass)
  • Assassin (Bass)
  • Apparitions (Sopranos / Bass)

Chorus:

  • Sopranos
  • Mezzos
  • Tenors
  • Baritones
  • Basses

Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel

18 June 2026 - 8 August 2026

Roles:

  • Hansel (Mezzo)
  • Gretel (Soprano)
  • Dew Fairy (Soprano)
  • Sandman (Soprano)

Cover roles:

  • Father (Baritone)
  • Mother / Witch (Mezzo) 
  • Hansel (Mezzo)
  • Gretel (Soprano)
  • Dew Fairy (Soprano)
  • Sandman (Soprano)

If you would like to apply for any of these opportunities, please submit the form by Sunday 31 August 2025.

As part of the form, you will be asked to provide a link to a short recording of yourself. Please upload it to a platform that we can access such as Google Drive, YouTube, Soundcloud or similar. This can be video, or audio only, and it doesn't need to be a professional recording - on a phone is fine. This is an opportunity to show off and show us what you can do. If accompanied, we do not need more than a couple of bars of piano introduction.

If you are successfully shortlisted for an audition, you will be contacted by a member of the LFO team in early September. Auditions will take place in London in early October 2026. 

Thank you for applying!

Megan Oneill Camilla Seale Dido And Aeneas Cr Matthew Williams Ellis 112

Apply online

Please complete your application before Sunday 31 August 2025.


Previous productions featuring our emerging artists

La Boheme 2024 Cr Matthew Williams Ellis 268

2024: La bohème

"make no mistake, this is a production of the highest quality" - British Theatre Guide

2023 07 27 The Fairy Queen 303

2023: The Fairy Queen

"A triumph"

The Stage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lfo 2022 La Liberazione Cr Matthew Williams Ellis 22

2022: La liberazione di Ruggiero & Spell Book

"far and away the most stylish show I have seen at Longborough" - Opera magazine

Lfo 2021 The Cunning Little Vixen Cr Matthew Williams Ellis 40

2021: The Cunning Little Vixen

"The cast of Emerging Artists suggested a wealth of further potential" - Opera magazine

Lfo 2019 La Calisto Cr Matthew Williams Ellis 104

2019: La Calisto

"provocative, punky staging of Francesco Cavalli’s masterpiece"

The Times ★ ★ ★ ★

Support

2018: L'incoronazione di Poppea

"you feel that you are being introduced to some of the stars of tomorrow"

Plays to See ★ ★ ★ ★


We need your support 

Every year we provide supportive coaching and mentoring from professional creative and technical teams. Ticket sales alone do not cover the cost of this ambitious programme; your support makes a real difference to our Emerging Artists as they begin their careers.

To find out how you can support the work we do with emerging artists and invest in the future of opera, please contact Saskia Ross on saskia@lfo.org.uk or on 01451 830292.

Lfo 2021 The Cunning Little Vixen Cr Matthew Williams Ellis 78

Take part at Longborough

Find out how to participate in our projects for young people and the community.

2023 07 27 The Fairy Queen 366

Support our Emerging Artists

Find out how you can invest in the future of opera.

Lfo 2019 La Calisto Cr Matthew Williams Ellis 104

make a donation

Make a one-off contribution to our work.