Help Musicians Presents:

Join us for a special evening celebrating the artistry and talent of some of the finest singers working in opera today, while supporting the next generation of musicians through the work of acclaimed charity, Help Musicians.

A Night at the Help Musicians Opera brings together an exceptional cast of artists whose careers have been supported by Help Musicians at different stages of their professional development. Through a programme of much-loved opera arias and duets, the evening will showcase not only artistic excellence, but also the transformative impact that sustained support can have throughout a musician’s career.

The Programme

The evening’s programme celebrates some of the most beloved music in the operatic repertoire, featuring a rich selection of arias, duets and ensembles by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Rossini, Bellini, Handel and Sullivan.

Performed by outstanding singers who are all personally connected to Help Musicians, the programme journeys through passion, romance, humour and drama, from Bellini’s sublime Casta Diva and Bizet’s fiery Habanera to Verdi’s exhilarating La donna è mobileand Mozart’s charming Birdcatcher’s Song. Alongside these celebrated solo works, audiences will enjoy a series of beautiful duets and ensembles, including the evocative Au fond du temple saint from The Pearl Fishers, the exquisite Flower Duet from Madama Butterfly, and Mozart’s serene Soave sia il vento.

The evening concludes with one of opera’s most joyful and recognisable finales, Verdi’s famous Brindisi from La Traviata, bringing the full company together in a fitting celebration of music, friendship and artistic collaboration.

Whether you are a lifelong opera enthusiast or discovering the artform for the first time, this programme offers a wonderful introduction to the beauty, emotion and enduring appeal of opera’s greatest masterpieces.

Featuring Artists Supported by Help Musicians

Sophie Bevan MBE – Soprano

Sophie Bevan is recognised as one of the leading lyric sopranos of her generation, working regularly with leading orchestras and conductors worldwide. An acclaimed recitalist, she performs at many prestigious venues including the Concertgebouw and Wigmore Hall. Her work in opera has seen her performing many leading lyric roles at houses including Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, WNO, ENO, Teatro Real and the Metropolitan Opera.  She was awarded the MBE for services to music in 2019.

Heather Lowe – Mezzo soprano

This season saw Heather Lowe make her house debut at the Teatro de la Maestranza singing Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Upcoming highlights include her debut at Grange Park Opera and a return to her celebrated interpretation of Rosina Barber of Seville which she will cover at Glyndebourne this Autumn.

Elgan Llŷr Thomas – Tenor

Elgan Llŷr Thomas hails from Llandudno, North Wales. Following studies at the Guildhall School, generously supported by a HMUK Sybil Tutton grant, he has gone on to sing leading roles with companies and orchestras that include ENO, Royal Opera, Grange Park Opera, Scottish Opera, Boston Symphony, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Singapore Symphony and Royal Danish Orchestra.

Leigh Melrose – Baritone

Leigh Melrose, “the specialist of 20th-century opera’ (The Financial Times), has carved out a formidable reputation for the performance of new works and dramatic 20th century repertoire. A wonderfully dynamic artist in both operas and concerts, his performances as Wozzeck(Opernhaus Zürich and English National Opera); Enescu’s Œdipe (Komische Oper Berlin), Alberich Das Rheingold (Wiener Staatsoper, Ruhrtriennale and English National Opera) Clov in the world premiere of György Kurtág’s Fin de Partie (Teatro alla Scala, Opéra de Paris and Dutch National Opera) and Prospero in Thomas Adès’ The Tempest (Teatro Alla Scala) have earned wide critical and public acclaim.

David Shipley – Bass

British bass David Shipley is a graduate of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Highlights of the 2025-26 season see David make his house debut with the Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier as Pistola in Falstaff, a further house and role debutat English National Opera as Alaska Wolf Joe in Jamie Manton’s new production of Rise & Fall of the City of Mahagonny along with a return to Grange Park Opera as Fafner in Das Rheingold. On the concert platform Shipley will debut with Opera Rara in a recording and performance of La Rondinein the role of Perichaud.

Murray Sipkin – Accompanist*

Murray Hipkin studied at the University of York, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the National Opera Studio. A long-standing member of English National Opera, he has conducted and coached numerous acclaimed productions over four decades. He has also worked internationally with leading opera companies and festivals and is widely respected as a conductor, répétiteur and musical director.

*This artist is not supported by Help Musicians.

Supporting Help Musicians

As the leading charity for professional musicians in the UK, Help Musicians has supported generations of artists to build sustainable and fulfilling careers. This special event offers a unique opportunity to experience outstanding music while gaining a deeper understanding of the charity’s national significance and raising vital funds to support the enduring impact across the music profession.

By purchasing a ticket, you will be directly supporting Help Musicians’ charitable work. Every ticket sold helps ensure that musicians across the UK can continue to access the support they need to thrive artistically, professionally and personally. To find out more about Help Musicians, please visit our website (external link).

Acknowledgement

Help Musicians is grateful to Graham Brookman, whose generous philanthropic support has made this event possible.

This event is organised by Help Musicians

Registered charity number 228089

Join us for a drink! The bar is open before and after the performance.
Serving until 22:00.