An orchestra in Carlisle will be joined by two exciting young classical singers to bring opera to the city.

Pieces will be performed with full orchestral accompaniment from the City of Carlisle Orchestra by singers Marie Cayeux and Hanna de Bruin, both graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).

French coloratura Marie Cayeux debuted recently at Opera de Monte-Carlo as a guest artist at the Festival Lyrique-en-Mer, amongst many other acclaimed performances. 

A committed performer of contemporary music, Marie received the Tracey Chadwell Memorial Award for the Best Performance of a New Work for Voice during the 2021 Wigmore Voiceworks.

Dutch mezzo-soprano Hanna de Bruin graduated last with a Master of Music Vocal Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).

In 2023, she received the Wagner Society of Scotland Bayreuth Stipendium, enabling her to attend the Bayreuther Festspiele, culminating in a lecture-recital for the society.

Oliver Cope is the musical director/conductor for this concert and is currently studying MMus Conducting at the RCS, having graduated with a scholarship and first class honours from Clare College, Cambridge.

He has worked with orchestras and opera companies across the United Kingdom and has studied with prominent conductors including Ryan Bancroft (musical director of City of Carlisle Orchestra for the 2014/15 season), Jonathan Heyward, Ryan Wigglesworth and Antony Hermus.

Marie and Hanna will perform a selection of arias and duets including Lakmé’s Flower Duet, brought to the attention of non-opera goers through the British Airways advert in 1989.

The orchestra will also present a varied programme of overtures and suites from well-known operas to complete the evening, like Carmen, Eugene Onegin, and Die Flendermaus.

The concert, which will take place at St John’s Church, London Road, Carlisle, on Saturday, March 23, starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from orchestra members, Bookcase on Castle Street, and the tourist information centre at the Old Town Hall.

They are £10 in advance, £12 on the door, and free for under-18s.