Elinor Popham

Having read English Literature at Warwick University, Elinor completed her Vocal Studies with Distinction at the Royal Academy of Music, working with Nuccia Focile and generously supported by both the John Clemence Trust and Sophie’s Silver Lining Fund. She took on such roles as Violetta, Louise and Mme Herz in faculty scenes, having previously performed as Geraldine (Grimebourne), Rosalinda and The Countess (Opera Warwick). She was named joint-winner of the Isabel Jay Opera Prize in her first term, having previously been awarded the runner-up prize in the inaugural Isobel Buchanan Award and Opera Unmasked Prize. She also competed in the National Mozart Competition, Somerset Song Prize and Bampton Classical Opera semi-finals, having previously won the John Miller Young Recitalist Award.

Since graduating, she has tackled challenging new roles such as Lucia (Opera Integra), Lucy (The Telephone, cover - Opera on the Move), Pamina (St. Albans Opera), Najade (Uncovered Opera) and Violetta (Instant Opera - cover). She will soon cover the role of Musetta with Aylesbury Opera. Her concert work includes the Mozart and Fauré Requiem (the latter performed while a SSCS Scholar), Handel’s Messiah and Tippett’s Child of Our Time.

Her love of song has grown through masterclasses with Hartmut Höll, Graham Johnson and Roderick Williams. This was further reinforced at college, working regularly with Anna Tilbrook and Richard Stokes, who invited her to perform a recital of Schubert songs at Bob Boas and Lauderdale House. He also introduced her to her duo partner, Stella Marie Lorenz; they have been devising and performing programmes together ever since! She also works regularly for the ROH Learning & Participation team, and is a committed advocate for inclusion in classical music. Making use of her English degree, she writes libretti for opera and song; a recent commission was performed at the Oxford International Son gFestival last year!