Welsh soprano Rachael Hughes graduated from the Wales International Academy of Voice with a distinction in MA Advanced Vocal Technique and was awarded the Dennis O’Neill Scholarship whilst studying there. She was also a recipient of the Bologna International Opera Academy’s scholarship (2022).
Rachael has previously sung for the Chorus of Longborough Opera Festival in their most recent UK premier of Wahnfried (2025) and additionally in La Boheme (2024).
Operatic roles include Countess Le Nozze di Figaro covering for Mid Wales Opera, Musetta La Bohème for Flat Pack Opera, Mimi La Bohème and the title role of Suor Angelica for North Wales Opera, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni for Opera Co-Pro.
As a concert soloist, Rachael has performed with Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra in St David’s Hall, Wrexham Symphony Orchestra as the soloist for Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Shrewsbury Orchestra and NEW Sinfonia for Opera Galas. She has also appeared as a guest soloist for many choirs including Rhos Male Voice Choir whom she accompanied as a guest soloist for Ripon Music Festival.
As an oratorio soloist, Rachael recently sang the soprano solo for Bob Chilcott’s Requiem and Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem with Border Singers. Additionally she was the soprano solo for Cor Glyndwr in Mozart’s Vespers and Vivaldi’s Gloria.
Rachael has finalised in competitions such as Welsh Singers Showcase 2020/21 and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod’s Pendine Voice of the Future 2018.