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Wigmore Hall/Independent Opera Voice Fellowship 2009-2011

In October 2009, Wigmore Hall and Independent Opera announced Gaëlle Arquez as the recipient of the £20,000 Wigmore Hall/Independent Opera Voice Fellowship 2009-2011 and Clara Mouriz as the recipient of the £10,000 Wigmore Hall/Independent Opera Voice Fellowship 2009-2011.

Following nominations by the jury of the Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song Competition, six singers were auditioned and interviewed by a selection panel consisting of representatives from Wigmore Hall and Independent Opera. The panel were looking for singers that demonstrated a commitment to both opera and song, with the potential to develop in both areas.

Gaëlle Arquez and Clara Mouriz – competitors of the 2009 and 2007 Song Competitions respectively – were selected by the panel for the Fellowship.

Independent Opera has provided funds for Wigmore Hall to invest a total of £30,000 over two years in the selected singers. A significant feature of the Fellowship includes career guidance from the Director of Wigmore Hall and the possibility of receiving coaching sessions from one or more established Wigmore artists. With Wigmore Hall’s regular access to nearly 20 young artist organisations, as well as a unique relationship to the finest recitalists performing in London, the mentoring scheme developed with Independent Opera is an exceptional opportunity.

“We have awarded these bursaries to two very promising young singers and we look forward to working with them over the years ahead” said John Gilhooly, Director of Wigmore Hall.

The Wigmore Hall/Independent Opera Voice Fellowship began in 2007. The first recipient of the award, Matthew Rose (bass), already has an impressive operatic career and gave his debut recital at Wigmore Hall in November 2010, following coaching sessions during his 2-year Fellowship from some of the world’s leading song recital artists.

Independent Opera Artist Support, created in 2007, is a comprehensive programme of scholarships, fellowships and partnerships designed to continue the work of Independent Opera by providing ongoing financial assistance to young professionals involved in the production of opera. The programme of scholarships and fellowships has in the past been available to singers, directors, designers and choreographers, and is an integral component of the company’s objective: to give those involved in the staging and production of opera the support they need at the outset of their careers.

Fellowship Recipient Biographies:

Gaëlle Arquez

French soprano Gaëlle Arquez has a degree in Musicology from Poitiers University. She continued her vocal studies with Malcolm Walker and Jeff Cohen at the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP) where she graduated in June 2009. Gaëlle won the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe vocal competition and the Pierre Bernac Prize for the best singer at the Ravel International Music Academy. She has participated in masterclasses with Elliott Carter, Philippe Huttenlocher, Dalton Baldwin, François Le Roux and Julius Drake. At the invitation of Pierre Boulez she performed a recital of Messiaen, Debussy and Wagner with Anne Le Bozec at the Messiaen Festival au Pays de la Meije (France) in summer 2010.

Clara Mouriz

Spanish born, Clara Mouriz (mezzo-soprano) graduated from the Royal Academy Opera with Distinction and the prestigious Outstanding Diploma of RAM, the Vice-Principal’s Award and the celebrated Richard Lewis Award. She was also a winner of the Friends of the RAM Wigmore Award 2006. A student of Noelle Barker, Clara has had the opportunity to further her studies at the Academia Rossiniana in Pesaro, Sir George Solti Academy in Tuscany, Cardiff International Academy of Voice and Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme. Clara is also a Samling Foundation Scholar. Recent operatic engagements include the role of Olga in Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin' for British Youth Opera and Tirinto in Handel’s 'Imeneo' for the Cambridge Handel Opera Group. A committed recital singer, Clara Mouriz made her debut in Wigmore Hall in 2007 in a recital presented by the Kirckman Concert Society.

Visit Clara Mouriz's website to find out more about her.