La Traviata - Family Matinee

London-based spinto soprano Lizzie Ryder performs across opera and concert, with a particular passion for Verdi and the Italian Romantic repertoire. Roles include Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) with Hurn Court Opera, Micaëla (Carmen) with St Paul’s Opera, covering Nedda (Pagliacci) for West Green House Opera, Röschen (Der Wald) with The Opera Makers, and Countess Ceprano (Rigoletto) with Nevill Holt Opera. As a concert soloist, she has performed with the Hallé Orchestra and CBSO. She is the founder of Re.opera, most recently presenting a concert performance of Don Carlo.

Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, the tenor Christian Joel is an up-and-coming artist of great promise, particularly in French and bel canto repertoire, and new opera. Following studies at HEMU de Lausanne and the Zurich University of the Arts, he was an artist of the International Opera Studio at Opéra de Lyon during the 2019-2020 season. Christian’s recent operatic roles have included David in John Adams’ I was looking at the ceiling and then I saw the Sky (Opéra de Lyon), Dr Sachs in Michael Nyman’s The Man who mistook his wife for a hat (Theatre Oriental de Vevey), Prince Paul (La Grande Duchesse de Gérolstein – Offenbach) with the Lucerne Theatre. He is highly experienced as a concert soloist, appearing in Handel’s Israel in Egypt under the baton of Leonardo García Alarcón, Mozart’s Requiem at the Herkulessaal in Munich, and in numerous Bach cantatas all over Switzerland & France.

Salome Siu is a Hong Kong-born dramatic mezzo-soprano based in London. She graduated with distinction from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where she was a finalist in the Gold Medal Competition.

Recent roles include Cornelia in Handel’s Giulio Cesare, Mutter in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel, and Eboli in Verdi’s Don Carlo. Her performances have drawn strong critical acclaim, including “Salome grabbed the show” (Opera Magazine), “Cornelia’s anguish is beautifully done by Salome Siu” (Fine Times Recorder), and “Salome Siu is perfectly statuesque as Cornelia – her beautiful voice has a tender but mournful quality which fits the role perfectly” (Theatre Plays UK).
Upcoming engagements include covering Amneris in Aida and her selection as a mentee on the Pegasus Opera Mentoring Programme 2026/2027

Originally from Sydney, French‑Australian mezzo‑soprano Rebecca Hart is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Operatic roles include Hänsel, Mercédès, Prince Orlofsky, Radamisto, Polinesso, Baba the Turk, Ramiro, Marcelina and Nancy. Rebecca has performed with orchestras and choral societies in concerts and recitals across the UK, Europe and Australia. She will be performing with Opéra de Baugé in their production of Suor Angelica and Acis and Galatea this summer.

Valerija Iljin is a Lithuanian spinto soprano. She completed her Master with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music and a Bmus degree from Trinity Laban In 2023, Valerija was a semi-finalist of the Kathleen Ferrier Awards 2023 and a runner-up of the Clara Schumann lieder competition. Upcoming roles: Eva (Die Meistersinger). Recent credits include Fiordiligi in Cosi fan Tutte (VOF), Larina in Onegin (HGO), Chrysothemis in Elektra (DVPB), Elsa in Lohengrin (RAM), Norma in Norma (RAM), 1st Lady in Die Zauberflöte (MOS) Maria in the Westside Story (Vilnius Philharmonic), Susanna and Emma (R&D with Bolshoi theatre).

Tom is a young British tenor who has recently graduated from his master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music, studying under Adrian Thompson, with whom he also studied with at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  

Tom’s experience includes singing Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème (Aquarian Opera Company), Alfred in Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus (Aquarian Opera Company), performing in the annual charity concert series, Monday at the Musicals, with the most recent being at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave., helping to raise over £40,000 for children’s cancer charities. Tom has also performed with the Guizhou Chinese Orchestra in Guiyang, China as part of a cultural exchange programme, called ‘My Music Paradise’.

When not singing, Tom works on a family farm, selling produce and looking after livestock, volunteers at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and enjoys Ballroom and Latin dancing in which he has competed at a national level.

Emil began his musical studies at age five and graduated in guitar at 18. He later trained in voice in London with Raymond Connell. His roles include  Scarpia (Tosca), Nabucco, Harlekin (Ariadne auf Naxos), Macbeth, Seid (Il Corsaro), Michele (Il Tabarro), and Rodrigo (Don Carlo).

He recently was awarded both the 3rd Prize and the Critics’ Special Prize at the “Lonato del Garda” International Singing Competition.

Cecilia Cole is a mezzo soprano currently studying with Jonathan Lemalu. She completed her masters degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and will begin the Guildhall opera course in the fall. She was a John S. Cohen foundation scholar as well as being a recipient of The Kathleen Trust in 2024. In 2025 she was the mezzo soloist with the Slough Philharmonic orchestra performing Verdi’s requiem.

Soprano Abigail Baylis is passionate about opera with her roles including Miss Wordsworth (Albert Herring, Britten, RBC), Cousin (Madame Butterfly, Puccini, CBSO), Dew Fairy (Hansel and Gretel, Humperdinck, RBC). In 2024, Abigail was awarded first place in the Edward Brookes lieder prize. Abigail is an avid oratorio soloist, with her repertoire including Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Bach’s St John Passion. In October Abigail will be performing Mahler Symphony 4 and selections of Des Knaben Wunderhorn with Eroica Camerata.

Naveen is a tenor from Swansea, pursuing third-year undergraduate Vocal Studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire taught by Lynton Atkinson. He holds a choral scholarship at Queen’s Park Singers. Recent roles include Phoebus in Fairy Queen(King’s Opera Society); Second Phaeacian in Monteverdi’s Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria(Trinity Laban). Chorus roles include Magic Flute(Greenwich Theatre), Turandot(Instant Opera) and Tosca (Rose Opera) productions. Naveen was selected for the national opera development programme, Glyndebourne Academy 2025 led by Mary King

Ted Day is an emerging artist recently graduated from the Royal College of Music. His recent performances include Junius in The Rape of Lucretia with Hampstead Garden Opera, Mourner in A Requiem for Mozart with Scherzo Ensemble and Belcore in L’Elisir d’amore with St Paul’s Opera. This summer, Ted will reprise the role of Junius, and begin work on the new opera Hidden Star – The Story of Annie Walker, which will premiere at the Tête à Tête opera festival in October. Ted appears frequently as a soloist in concerts and masterclasses.

Thomas read Music at Durham University, where he was active as a solo and choral singer; since graduating he has been a student of British soprano Jenny Hill in London. Recently he has worked covering roles for Midsummer Opera (Pagliacci, Simon Boccanegra), and will be appearing with other emerging artists in a concert of Mozart scenes this Autumn. 

Isobel Hughes is mezzo-soprano from North London and recent graduate of the David Seligman Opera School at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Described by Opera Magazine as a "striking" performer, their recent roles include Sesto in Somerset Opera’s CESARE, a comic reimagining of Handel's Giulio Cesare, and Prince Orlofsky in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus with New Aquarian Opera. In summer 2025, Isobel was the recipient of the Best Female Singer Award at the Hertfordshire Opera Gala Awards

Megan Artemova-Thomas has recently completed a Professional Diploma at Trinity Laban, studying with Neil Baker and Panaretos Kyriatzidis, where she performed as Vitellia (La clemenza di Tito), Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte), Miss Jessel (The turn of the screw), and Mother (Hansel & Gretel) in a selection of scenes. Other recent performances include Zweite Dame (Die Zauberflöte) for Opera Greenwich, Sandman (Hänsel & Gretel) for Uncovered Opera Company, and chorus in HGO’s Offie award-winning production of Eugene Onegin.

Originally training as an actor, roles included Dr Faustus, the Duke of Malfi and Strindberg’s The Father.

He found his singing voice shortly after the pandemic and joined St Paul’s Opera for Die Fledermaus, followed by L’Elisir D’Amore last year.

He is a student of Jenni Hill and recently joined the Philharmonia Chorus. Forthcoming concerts include Beethoven’s 9th at the Proms and Verdi’s Requiem at St Paul’s Cathedral in September.

Patricia began her solo career a few decades ago in Westminster Abbey, but more recently, she completed the Morley College Opera Performance Programme. In 2013, she founded St Paul’s Opera (SPO) and sang Madame Goldentrill (Der Schauspieldirektor) and Nella (Gianni Schicchi) in the inaugural production. Other roles include Liu (Turandot), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte), Eurydice (Orpheus in the Underworld), Despina (Così fan tutte), Marcellina (Le nozze di Figaro) and Miss Wordsworth (Albert Herring). In the 2024 SPO production of Die Fledermaus, Patricia made a guest appearance in the role of Tawdry Hepburn! Patricia continues to sing regularly with SPO at galas, Christmas pantos and oratorio concerts, as well as being a regular cantor for St Paul’s Church. However, she gains as much enjoyment in being part of the company development, particularly in seeing singers joining SPO, developing their talent through the production process and taking that experience into the wider world, as well as nurturing the opera community of the future through the Schools Outreach Programme.

Former Guardian picture editor, journalist, and director of Troika Photos, Clapham-based soprano Bridget Coaker brings a lifetime of musical passion to La Traviata. Singing since age four—debuting at eleven as a primary school fishwife—Bridget has performed with the Chandos Chamber Choir and Constanza Chorus. Notable chorus credits include Carmen, Die Fledermaus, and L’elisir d’amore (SPO), plus The Flying Dutchman and Die Meistersinger (Saffron Opera). When not singing or teaching Pilates, she enjoys running 10Ks from Venice to Barry Island.

Sue is a long time member of the St Paul’s Church congregation becoming involved with St Paul’s Opera from its inception. She sings with both, the church choir, and with the South West London Choral Society (SWLCS). She has performed previously in the SPO chorus in Turandot, Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte, Orpheus and the Underworld, Cosi fan Tutti, Cinderella, Gianni Schicci, Albert Herring, Carmen and Die Fledermaus. Her next concert with SWLCS is on 11 July 2026 at St Paul’s Church, Clapham!

Edwina Strobl is an Austrian/Australian director working in theatre and opera. Trained in directing and dramaturgy at RADA and through the Royal Opera House JPYAP training for stage directors, she served as Young Artist Director at Opera Holland Park in 2025. From the second half of 2026 she will be resident at Opera Australia as Young Artist Program Director. Recent work includes CESARE for Somerset Opera, Opera Scenes at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Assistant Directing at Opera Holland Park, Staatsoper Hannover, and Schauspielhaus Zurich.

Adrian is a London-based Basque Spanish pianist and music director. He led St Paul’s Opera’s OffWestEnd award-winning production of L’Elisir d’Amore, and has recently worked as repetiteur with Grange Park Opera and English Touring Opera. In 2026, he joins Thames Opera Company as Assistant Music Director and makes his Spanish debut as repetiteur and orchestra player in Calixto Bieito’s Shostakovich 14th Symphony at Teatro Arriaga.

Pin Chen is a Set and Costume Designer and Scenographer whose work explores imaginative, open‑ended visual worlds. Her practice foregrounds diversity, inclusivity, and perspective‑driven storytelling, aiming to create resonant designs that broaden audience experience. Recent credits include King Charles III (Set and Costume Designer, Michael Frayn Theatre, 2025), After Life (Set Designer, Michael Frayn Theatre, 2024), and Blossoming (You Undo Me) (Set and Costume Designer, The Other Palace Studio / Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 2023).

Born in Bilbao, Spain, Agur trained at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música y Danza de Madrid and holds a Law degree from the Universidad de Deusto. Based in London, she has performed in opera productions at the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells, the Banqueting House and Glyndebourne, and is a long-standing collaborator with the English Bach Festival and Baroque Encounters. Beyond the stage, Agur co-directs Mbodied and Pilates Sanctuary in Clapham alongside Alice Croucher, where she brings more than 20 years of experience in health, movement and wellbeing. In 2024, her debut as revival choreographer for Andrea Chénier at the Royal Opera House earned five-star reviews.

Patricia is a Spanish director based in London. She will direct Lucia di Lammermoor for Southgate Opera in June 2027. Trained at RADA, she completed a directing observership with Cecilia Stinton at Opera Holland Park. Directing credits include Patience (Southgate Opera), L’Orfeo (Richmond Opera), and Carmen (Opera Integra). Previous assistant directing credits include La Bohème (Greenwich Opera), La Vie Parisienne (Southgate Opera), Semele, Venus and Adonis (Richmond Opera), l’Elisir d’Amore (Brent Opera) and La Traviata (Instant Opera).