The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme (JPYAP) has announced the four new singers who will join the programme in September 2020.
Selected from more than 424 applicants from more than 25 countries around the globe, the four young artists are British soprano Alexandra Lowe, Ukrainian mezzo-soprano Kseniia Nikolaieva, Russian tenor Egor Zhuravskii and Congolese bass Blaise Malaba.
The JPYAP aims to support the artistic development of talented singers at the beginning of their careers. It offers a specially tailored programme of extensive coaching in languages, stagecraft and vocal techniques, alongside training for cover roles, performing in concerts and for smaller roles on the main stage. The Young Artists are employed as salaried members of the Royal Opera and immersed in the life of the Royal Opera House over a two-year period.
The four young singers follow in the footsteps of 116 JPYAP alumni who have successfully completed the programme since its inception in 2001. Following their graduation, 86% of JPYAP singers have gone on to enjoy successful international careers, appearing on stages around the world.
Oliver Mears, director of opera at the Royal Opera House, commented: “The Royal Opera has always sought to provide the best opportunities for talented young singers and directors from across the globe. Our vision is to provide these young artists access to all areas of opera production while immersing them in life at the Royal Opera House.”
Both Alexandra Lowe and Kseniia Nikolaieva are currently National Opera Studio Young Artists. Alexandra recently completed her Artist Diploma with distinction on the opera course at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She is the previous recipient of a number of awards and scholarships.
Kseniia studied at the Kherson Music School and at the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy in Kiev. The prize-winning mezzo-soprano is already known for singing a wide variety of roles at the National Music Academy of Ukraine.
Winner of several singing competitions in his native Russia, Egor Zhuravskii has previously performed with the Astrakhan State Theatre of Opera and Ballet and Astrakhan Drama Theatre. Blaise Malaba is currently a Link Artist on the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme. He has performed with WNO Orchestra, RWCMD and Lviv National Opera. He was a finalist in the 2015 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.
“We are delighted to welcome the 2020-21 intake of Jette Parker Young Artists, and look forward to helping them become the opera names of the future and working with each of them over the coming years,” Mears added.
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Congolese bass Blaise Malaba (centre, with Yaritza Veliz and Hongni Wu) will join the Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme in September (Gavin Smart).