Artists on the 2025 Waterperry Opera Festival’s Young Artists Programme

In just seven years, the Waterperry Opera Festival Company has achieved an enviable reputation for producing high-quality affordable opera, showcasing some of the finest young talent the UK has to offer. Through its work, the company seeks to explore contemporary social issues and timeless themes that touch the very nature of the human condition. An important part of the festival is its highly acclaimed Young Artist Programme, which gives those who are looking to start a career in opera the chance to break into the industry, whether they be singers, directors, producers, costume designers or choreographers. The programme is open to all young artists, whatever financial hardships they might face. The Leon MacLaren Art Trust is looking to raise enough sponsorship to meet the cost of travel, food, accommodation and subsistence to enable 3 artists – two singers and one director – to participate in this summer’s programme.

Waterperry… proves that opera does not have to be grand to be successful. There is a substantial potential audience for opera among those not lucky enough to be on the receiving end of corporate hospitality, and who find the expense of a major opera house prohibitive. That is one of the great attractions of a festival such as Waterperry.
The Telegraph, 2022

… young talent, with internships and training gives the event an atmosphere of infectious, can-do energy.
The Observer, 2024

The Leon MacLaren Art Trust - Artists on the 2025 Waterperry Opera Festival’s Young Artists Programme Page Image

2024 Young Artists in The Barber of Seville

Molly Owen, Director
Molly Owen trained as an actor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Whilst there she had the opportunity to direct some scenes from the Oresteia which gave her a first taste of directing. However, it wasn’t until she saw Jenufa in March of last year that she fell completely in love with the world of opera and had an epiphany that opera too must have directors. She had her first assisting job at the beginning of the year on the Flying Dutchman in Norway and is excited to take part in the Waterperry Young Artists programme.

Clementine Thompson, Soprano
South London born soprano Clementine Thompson has enjoyed success as a soloist such as with the Manchester Bach Choir, at the Wimbledon International Festival and alongside Dame Emma Kirkby. She has been the recipient of numerous accolades, most notably the Pamela Hart Third Prize at the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary Competition, the Alexander Young Prize and at the David Clover Festival of Singing. She has performed roles in both classical and contemporary opera and premiered the Philosopher in Bicarregui’s ‘Capsule’. She also enjoys folk music with Ventis Vocal Ensemble. She is currently an undergraduate at the RNCM with Elizabeth Ritchie.

Maximilian Catalano, Baritone
Maximilian Catalano is a British/Italian baritone studying a Master’s at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with David Pollard. Having completed a Politics degree at Cardiff University, he decided to pursue a career in classical singing, so joined GSMD. Maximilian made his operatic debut in Aylesbury Opera’s ‘La Bohème’ as Schaunard and has performed in Regent’s Opera’s ‘Götterdämmerung”” and Opera Holland Parks ‘The Flying Dutchman’ as chorus. He has also had the honour of debuting Haydn’s ‘The Creation’ in India as Raffael and Adam. Maximilian is also part of the SongEasle Young Artist Program for 2024/25.

This programme has been incredibly nurturing for my artistic development. I feel the company have prioritised creating a safe and energised space for us to bring out our best selves, explore the voice and learn through interacting with professionals in opera.
2024 Young Artist

The idea of the Young Artist Programme is to give the next generation of opera artists the confidence and essential skills they need to enter the world of opera. The legacy of the programme is impressive, with several young artists having gone on to perform in major opera houses and win national and international prizes.

The Young Artist programme offers so many amazing opportunities that we don’t find elsewhere even in formal conservatoire training … I have gained so much confidence and feel surprisingly ready to face the world as a young professional.
2023 Young Artist

The Leon MacLaren Art Trust is raising enough sponsorship to meet the cost of travel, food, accommodation and subsistence for two singers in this summer’s programme

As part of the programme, they will participate in workshops on stagecraft, movement, acting, physical theatre, audition techniques and tax matters, perform as the chorus in a main stage production and put on their own Young Artist Gala of opera scenes to a public audience.

Fundraising target: £1,500.
Raised so far: £1,000.

You have an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of three highly talented artists who are looking to break into the world of opera.

You can donate using our ‘Gocardless’ facility, which will take you to your Banking App on your phone (using a QR Code), or your online Banking Portal. Simply select the amount you wish to give, and follow the instructions.
Alternatively, you can donate by making a bank transfer in whatever way you would normally do it, i.e. using your Banking App or your online Banking Portal or phoning or visiting your bank. Here are the details you need:
The Leon MacLaren Art Trust
Lloyds BankSort code: 30 97 86
Account number: 07427992
BIC LOYDGB21051
IBAN GB44 LOYD 3097 8607 4279 92
If you wish to make a one-off donation for a larger amount, please do this by a bank transfer

waterperryoperafestival.co.uk

Artists on the 2025 Waterperry Opera Festival’s Young Artists Programme

Current Project

Artists on the 2025 Waterperry Opera Festival’s Young Artists Programme.

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