EMERGING ARTISTS JOIN SCOTTISH OPERA FOR THE NEW SEASON

Scottish Opera welcomes a talented group of Emerging Artists for 2025/26, with baritone Daniel Barrett, tenor Luvo Maranti, repetiteur Toby Stanford, casting officer Joseph Hookway and wigs trainee Mia Newman joining the Company. Returning for a second Season are soprano Kira Kaplan, mezzo-soprano Chloe Harris, bass-baritone Edward Jowle and repetiteur Meghan Rhoades.

The Scottish Opera Emerging Artists programme, launched in 2009, offers promising talent a period of full-time work with the Company to help launch their careers. They have opportunities to work on and perform in Scottish Opera live productions and tours throughout the Season, including Tchaikovsky’s Heroines & Heroes, The Great Wave and The Marriage of Figaro, as well as work in-house with staff and visiting coaches to develop their skills. They are supported by Scottish Opera’s Emerging Artist Benefactors, and Elizabeth Salvesen.

The singers have already appeared this Season in the acclaimed double-bill performances of L’heure espagnole & The Bear, in Lammermuir, Glasgow and Edinburgh and the Autumn Opera Highlights tour, with a packed schedule ahead of them.

Initially set up to nurture outstanding early career singers, the Emerging Artists programme this year includes positions for repetiteurs, and for the very first time, a casting officer and wigs trainee.

Joseph, the casting officer, works closely with Scottish Opera’s Head of Casting, Sarah-Jane Davies and the wider Music and Planning Department to help deliver both the current and upcoming Seasons. This involves a mix of creative and administrative responsibilities such as collating and identifying artists for future productions, supporting the Emerging Artist singers and joining the panel for auditions.

Casting an opera is a collaborative process that begins with understanding the artistic and vocal requirements of each production. It involves close discussion across the Creative and Music Teams to bring together exceptional artists who will excite and move audiences.

Joseph said that it is ‘a privilege to work for a national company and to learn from such an experienced and supportive team.’ He added: ‘I’m excited to play a part in shaping future Seasons and supporting the incredible artists who bring these productions to life.’

Mia, the wigs trainee, has the chance to do hands on training in all areas of the Wigs and Make up department, headed by Laurie Rankin, and work on Scottish Opera’s upcoming productions. She has refined her knotting skills and made facial hair for La bohème, is now learning how to dress men’s 18th Century wigs for The Marriage of Figaro and will supervise on Opera Highlights in Autumn 2026.

A record number of applications was received for this Season’s Emerging Artist programme, with 360 people in total getting in touch.

Fiona MacSherry, Head of Music at Scottish Opera said: ‘I am delighted to welcome our new Emerging Artist repetiteur, Toby Stanford. Toby will be joining Meghan Rhoades who returns for a second year.

‘They have interesting and challenging repertoire to tackle this Season. Meghan toured with Opera Highlights in the autumn, and worked on the double bill of L’heure espagnole & The Bear. They were repetiteur on the world premiere of The Great Wave, and the upcoming Tristan und Isolde concert performances.

‘Toby is Music Director on the Spring Opera Highlights tour and worked on La bohème, and Tchaikovsky’s Heroines & Heroes concert. Both will be involved in Sir Thomas Allen’s production of The Marriage of Figaro at the end of the Season. It’s an exciting year ahead for their development.’

Sarah-Jane Davies, Head of Casting at Scottish Opera said: ‘I am thrilled to welcome Joseph Hookway,  Daniel Barrett and Luvo Maranti to our Emerging Artist programme, along with Kira Kaplan, Chloe Harris, and Edward Jowle, who are returning for a second Season. Audiences have recently seen Kira, Chloe and Edward in our UK Theatre Award-nominated double bill of Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct!, and in last Season’s production of Albert Herring. Chloe, Luvo, Daniel and Edward starred in our much-praised opera in concert performances of L’heure espagnole & The Bear.

‘Chloe and Luvo have been on the road with Opera Highlights and are currently starring in Dai Fujikura’s The Great Wave. Kira is part of the Spring Opera Highlights tour, as is Daniel, who appeared in Tchaikovsky’s Heroines & Heroes concert in December. Edward was in our 5-star production of La bohème, has a small role in Tristan und Isolde, and we are thrilled that he will be taking on the title role in The Marriage of Figaro, which is a huge moment in any opera singer’s career.

‘Indeed all the Emerging Artists will variously have opportunity for performances in The Marriage of Figaro.

‘Joseph, in the newly created role of casting officer, has already provided invaluable support helping us find and select the very best talent for our productions, and will coordinate the diaries of his fellow Emerging Artists.’

Previous Emerging Artists include soprano Jennifer France, baritone Ben McAteer, repetiteur Jonathon Swinard, and composers Gareth Williams and Lliam Paterson.

More information is available from Emerging Artists | Scottish Opera