Wigmore French Song Exchange 2026 at the Salle Cortot in Paris
The prestigious Wigmore French Song Exchange, led by Dame Felicity Lott, François Le Roux and Sebastian Wybrew, returns for its sixth edition. Following a year of mentorship in French mélodie, the scheme culminates with showcase performances, including one in the historic Salle Cortot in Paris. This intimate venue, akin to Wigmore Hall, hosts all eight singers and selected pianists in ensemble works and expressive solo interpretations of mélodies, showcasing the next generation of French-song talent.
This year we celebrate a rich cross-Channel dialogue, exploring English settings of French poetry and French songs on English texts, including works by English composers such as Maud Valerie White, Adela Maddison, Britten and Berkeley setting words by Hugo, Verlaine and Baudelaire, alongside French composers including Gounod, Hahn, Massenet and Poulenc inspired by Shakespeare, Tennyson and Byron – a true ‘exchange’ of language, culture and song.
Wigmore French Song Exchange 2026
After a year of teaching from Dame Felicity Lott, François Le Roux and Sebastian Wybrew, experts in French mélodie, the singers take on keystone works of the genre. This year we also explore English songs inspired by French poetry and French songs inspired by English texts, featuring English composers such as Maud Valerie White, Britten and John Casken setting words by Hugo, Verlaine and Cocteau, alongside French composers like Gounod, Hahn and Poulenc responding to Shakespeare, Byron and Kipling – a true cross-Channel dialogue in song.
More information and tickets here.
Opera Prelude: Trouble in Tahiti & Seven Deadly Sins
Trouble in Tahiti by Leonard Bernstein and The Seven Deadly Sins (Die sieben Todsünden) by Kurt Weill starring Alison Langer as Anna. A compelling double bill of iconic 20th-century operas. Sam and Dinah - Trouble in Tahiti - are the perfect couple with all the trappings of marital bliss - but is everything as it seems? Anna - Seven Deadly Sins - must journey across America to support her family - but is she ready for what she'll encounter?
The Mezzo soprano en travesti: A Body in Disguise, a Song of Sexuality
This lecture-recital with mezzo soprano, Clover Kayne, explores how opera reflects long-standing social roles and character traditions — particularly through the mezzo-soprano voice. Often cast as boys, witches, confidantes, or outcasts, mezzos frequently exist on the edges of operatic society: neither heroine nor villain, lover nor beloved. This “in-betweenness” is what makes the voice type so dramatically rich — and so revealing.
Repertoire to include Handel, Massenet and Strauss
National Opera Studio Showcase at Welsh National Opera
Bold, proud, and inspirational, the National Opera Studio offers an intensive and bespoke training programme for the next generation of talent.
Continuing Welsh National Opera’s long-standing partnership with the programme, the latest influx of singers from their Young Artists’ Programme joins WNO in March 2026 for their annual week-long residency, culminating in a not-to-be-missed showcase at the beautiful Donald Gordon Theatre within Wales Millennium Centre, under the accompaniment of WNO Orchestra.
OperaBites Hampstead
Muses, Echoes and Songs of Love
Join Opera Prelude mezzo soprano Clover Kayne, for an enchanting musical journey celebrating love, longing, and lyrical expression. The programme features some of opera’s most beautiful and evocative arias, including:
Va ! Laisse couler mes larmes from Werther – Jules Massenet
Che farò senza Euridice from Orfeo ed Euridice – Christoph Willibald Gluck
Ô mon cher amant from La Périchole – Jacques Offenbach
Connais-tu le pays ? from Mignon – Ambroise Thomas
Each bite-sized performance features an up-and-coming young opera star sharing their passion through exquisite arias and personal insights. It’s the perfect way to experience the magic of opera in an intimate setting.
L'incoronazione di Poppea – HGO
When Emperor Nero falls obsessively in love with the ambitious Poppea, their toxic romance becomes Rome’s ultimate power play. She’s ruthless, he’s unhinged, and together they’re unstoppable. Around them: gossiping servants, doomed philosophers, vengeful wives, scheming exes, and a chorus of opportunists, all pulled into the chaos of Poppea’s ascent.
As Ancient Rome collides with modern decadence, and marble deities oversee a glittering empire of excess and golden opulence, two people’s all-consuming lust can bring down an empire. With pace, punch, and panache – even the Gods can’t look away.
Sung in Italian with full English surtitles
Running time: c. 2 hrs 30 min incuding interval.
Schwanengesang – Academy Song Circle
Students from the Royal Academy of Music join forces with singers from the Glenn Gould School in Toronto to present a fresh take on Schubert’s Schwanengesang, accompanied by Daniel Silcock.
Masterclass with Fiona Kimm
Mezzo-soprano and winner of the John Christie Award Fionna Kimm celebrates fifty years in the profession, sharing her insight with Vocal Studies students.
The Eastbourne International Singing Competition
Eastbourne International Singing Competition - First Round
