Leaha-Marian is a contract singer at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. She was born in Wales and is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music. She then received scholarships which enabled her to attend a post-graduate opera-singersΓÇÖ course in London.
Joining a large opera company is a big step in a young singer's career. The work involves singing small r├┤les in various productions while learning and rehearsing larger r├┤les as a cover, or understudy. Sometimes, if a big name is unable to perform, a young singer like Leah-Marian gets an opportunity to go on in a leading r├┤le. This is a chance to be seen and heard by agents and managements, who might be impressed at how she handles the challenge.
The real advantage of the contract singer's job is in the constant, disciplined work it offers. Equally important are the learning opportunities inherent in working with more experienced performers, including stars of the calibre of Marilyn Horne and Placido Domingo. In the 1993/94 season, Leah-Marian's roles included the Second Lady in Mozart's The Magic Flute, Mercedes in Bizet's Carmen and Rosette in Massenet's Manon. She also obtained releases from the opera house to sing oratorio engagements and televised masterclasses.
Her future plans include continued work at the Royal Opera House, a r├┤le in Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana with Welsh National Opera, and Sir Edward Elgar's oratorio The Dream of Gerontius.
She has also been invited to sing the major r├┤le of Dorabella in a Royal Opera House production of Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte in 1997.
