Elizabeth Watts
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Watts is a British
soprano
.
Watts studied archaeology
at Sheffield University and graduated with first class honours. Beginning in 2002, she studied music at the Royal College of Music
with Lillian Watson. She graduated in 2005 with distinction and the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Rose Bowl, awarded annually for outstanding achievement. From 2005 to 2007, she was a member of the Young Singers’ Programme at English National Opera
. In the 10/11 season she was Pamina/Die Zauberflöte for Welsh National Opera
and Marzelline/Fidelio for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
In 2006, Watts won the Kathleen Ferrier Award
. She represented England at the 2007 Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, reaching the final and winning the prestigious Rosenblatt Song Prize Competition. She was chosen as a BBC New Generation Artist beginning in 2007. In 2011 she won a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award..
Her earliest US appearances were in Boston with the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston in 2006 and with Cal Performances in San Francisco. She made her debut at Santa Fe Opera
in July 2008. Recently Watts sang Mozart Requiem with the Boston Handel & Haydn Society and Harry Christophers
which will be released on CD.
Watts’ other recordings include discs of Schubert Lieder and Bach Arias, both of which were chosen as Gramophone Magazine Editor’s Choice. She has also released recordings of Thomas Arne’s Artaxerxes, Handel’s Messiah with the Huddersfield Choral Society
and Brahms Requiem with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
.
In January 2011, Watts was appointed as an Artist in Residence at London's Southbank Centre for the 2011-12 season.
Watts is currently represented by Maxine Robertson Management (http://www.maxinerobertson.com/index.php?load=artists&artist=ew)
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
.
Watts studied archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
at Sheffield University and graduated with first class honours. Beginning in 2002, she studied music at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
with Lillian Watson. She graduated in 2005 with distinction and the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Rose Bowl, awarded annually for outstanding achievement. From 2005 to 2007, she was a member of the Young Singers’ Programme at English National Opera
English National Opera
English National Opera is an opera company based in London, resident at the London Coliseum in St. Martin's Lane. It is one of the two principal opera companies in London, along with the Royal Opera, Covent Garden...
. In the 10/11 season she was Pamina/Die Zauberflöte for Welsh National Opera
Welsh National Opera
Welsh National Opera is an opera company founded in Cardiff, Wales in 1943. The WNO tours Wales, the United Kingdom and the rest of the world extensively. Annually, it gives more than 120 performances of eight main stage operas to a combined audience of around 150,000 people...
and Marzelline/Fidelio for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
In 2006, Watts won the Kathleen Ferrier Award
Kathleen Ferrier Award
The Kathleen Ferrier Award is a prestigious contest for Opera singers held each April in London, England. The first competition was held in 1956. Originally conceived to offer a prize equivalent to a year's tuition plus support, the competition now offers a first prize of £10,000, a second prize...
. She represented England at the 2007 Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, reaching the final and winning the prestigious Rosenblatt Song Prize Competition. She was chosen as a BBC New Generation Artist beginning in 2007. In 2011 she won a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award..
Her earliest US appearances were in Boston with the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston in 2006 and with Cal Performances in San Francisco. She made her debut at Santa Fe Opera
Santa Fe Opera
The Santa Fe Opera is an American opera company, located north of Santa Fe in the U.S. state of New Mexico, headquartered on a former guest ranch of .-General history:...
in July 2008. Recently Watts sang Mozart Requiem with the Boston Handel & Haydn Society and Harry Christophers
Harry Christophers
Harry Christophers is an English conductor. He attended the King's School, Canterbury and was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral under choirmaster Allan Wicks and played clarinet in the school orchestra alongside Andrew Marriner...
which will be released on CD.
Watts’ other recordings include discs of Schubert Lieder and Bach Arias, both of which were chosen as Gramophone Magazine Editor’s Choice. She has also released recordings of Thomas Arne’s Artaxerxes, Handel’s Messiah with the Huddersfield Choral Society
Huddersfield Choral Society
Huddersfield Choral Society is an internationally famous choir based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. It was founded in 1836, and is recognised as one of Britain's leading choirs...
and Brahms Requiem with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
.
In January 2011, Watts was appointed as an Artist in Residence at London's Southbank Centre for the 2011-12 season.
Watts is currently represented by Maxine Robertson Management (http://www.maxinerobertson.com/index.php?load=artists&artist=ew)