Since it was founded in 1987, British Youth Opera (BYO) has enabled over a thousand singers, instrumentalists, conductors, directors and production staff to gain experience through its annual September performances and workshop and masterclass series.

The company provides training opportunities for highly gifted young people embarking on a career in opera, and many former members of British Youth Opera are now working with major opera companies both in this country and abroad. The company performed the first London performances of Flight by Jonathan Dove

Jonathan Dove

Jonathan Dove is a British composer of opera, choral works, plays, films, and orchestral and chamber music. He has arranged a number of operas for English Touring Opera and the City of Birmingham Touring Opera , including in 1990 a famous 18-player two-evening adaptation of Wagner's Der Ring des...

 in 2008.

A Brief History

British Youth Opera was started by Denis Coe MP in 1987 as at that time he perceived a lack of experience on offer for opera singers who were completing their vocal training to actually perform. He felt there was a gap which was being addressed for talented orchestral musicians and actors but not for opera singers. Since that time many of British Youth Opera alumni have gone on to successful careers in opera houses all over the world and are always main prize winners at international competitions. BYO are a stepping stone not only into the profession but also on to the advanced training courses at the Royal Opera House and the National Opera Studio. Successful alumni include Rebecca Bottone, Lucy Crowe, Rosemary Joshua

Rosemary Joshua

Rosemary Joshua a British soprano, particularly known for her performances in Handel's operas.Joshua was born in Cardiff and studied at the Royal College of Music. After completing her studies there, she made her debut at the Aix-en-Provence Festival as Angelica in Handel's Orlando...

, Sally Matthews, Victoria Simmonds, Peter Auty

Peter Auty

Peter Auty is an English operatic tenor who has worked with most of the major opera companies in Britain and a number of companies in continental Europe.-Choirboy:...

, Christopher Maltman, and Mark Stone.

Funding and Partnerships

Since 2002 British Youth Opera has been core funded by Arts Council England in addition to raising its funding from Trusts and Foundations and many individual donor schemes. British Youth Opera work in close collaboration with the major music colleges and conservatoires and work in partnership with Southbank Sinfonia

Southbank Sinfonia

Southbank Sinfonia describes itself as "Britain's Newest Orchestra and one of the most exciting projects in music for decades."...

. British Youth Opera is a Charity with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as its Patron. The President is Sir Thomas Allen and Vice-Presidents include Dame Felicity Lott

Felicity Lott

Dame Felicity Ann Emwhyla Lott, DBE, FRCM is an English soprano.-Education:From her earliest years she was musical, having started studying piano at age 5. She also played violin and began singing lessons at 12. She is an alumna of Royal Holloway, University of London, obtaining a BA in French and...

, Maestro José Cura

José Cura

José Cura is a prominent operatic tenor known for his intense and original interpretations of his characters, notably Verdi’s Otello and Saint-Saëns’ Samson, as well as for his unconventional and innovative concert performances. He is also able to perform high baritone roles with the extended...

 and Bryn Terfel.

British Youth Opera is sponsored by London South Bank University

London South Bank University

London South Bank University is a university in south London. With over 25,000 students and 1,700 staff, it is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name...

in the form of accommodation, rehearsal space and services. Its annual September performances are held at the Peacock Theatre, Kingsway.