The Royal Opera has announced its new cohort of Jette Parker Artists for the 2024/25 Season. The two-year JPA programme was founded 22 years ago to support the next generation of conductors, directors, répétiteurs and singers by offering career-changing opportunities across the Royal Opera House stages.

Mezzo-soprano Jingwen Cai, soprano Marianna Hovanisyan, bass-baritone Ossian Huskinson and baritone Siphe Kwani will join the JPA community in Summer 2024. They will be joined by pianist Richard Fu, director Sophie Gilpin (for the 2024/2025 Season only), and conductor Peggy Wu.

Oliver Mears, Director of The Royal Opera, said 'I am delighted to have a Jette Parker Artists cohort for the 24/25 programme that represents the plethora of homegrown operatic talent the UK has to offer, alongside exceptional international artists. Our long history of developing artists, with alumni enjoying flourishing international careers, continues in hugely exciting fashion and I am looking forward to seeing the new cohort develop over the next two years.’

Head of the Jette Parker Artists Programme Elaine Kidd added: ‘It’s encouraging to see successful applications from those who have participated in our Royal Opera House coaching schemes in Armenia and South Africa as well as others, such as Peggy Wu, who have completed other courses with us. It is all about recognising extraordinary potential and enabling it to develop at just the right pace.'

As well as performing repertory roles, singers on the JPA programme may also cover roles for more established cast members, stepping into another artist’s shoes at short notice. Graduates of the JPA programme have starred in roles across the current Season including Yaritza Véliz (La bohème), Aigul Akhmetshina (Carmen), and Hongni Wu (Madama Butterfly).

roh.org.uk