Claire Watkins
graduated in with a DipRam from the Royal Academy Opera studying with Beatrice Unsworth and Audrey Hyland. Formerly Head Chorister of St. Davids Cathedral Choir, Pembrokeshire, Claire also has a Bmus (Hons), Cardiff University, and PGDip (Distinction) RWCMD. She participated in the Georg Solti Accademia di Bel Canto 2007 in Tuscany and is a 2009 Samling Scholar.
Operatic roles performed include Leïla The Pearl Fishers for English National Opera, Amelia Simon Boccanegra in Valladolid, Constance The Sorcerer Opera della Luna, Queen of the Night, Donna Anna, Lauretta, Venus Dardanus, Almirena Rinaldo, Arminda La finta giardiniera, Manon Manon Lescaut and Yvette La Rondine for RAO; the title role in The Cunning Little Vixen (RWCMD).
Other recent engagements include several cover roles, the title role in Manon and Giannetta in L'elisir d'amore both for Scottish Opera, Bronwyn Jones in Carbon 12 for Welsh National Opera, Gretchen The Poacher and Alison The Wandering Scholar for Buxton Festival. Claire also pariciapted in a series of masterclasses and with Sir Thomas Allen and was one of four finalists in the 2008 Welsh Singer Competition. Download full biography
"Claire Watkins was excellent as Leila, with a strong, powerful soprano and excellent diction, she also proved to be a capable actress and the scene in Act III between her and Zurga was the strongest moment of the opera dramatically."
Dickie and Butch website -
Leïla The Pearl Fishers, English National Opera, June 2010
LATEST NEWS: Claire has recently given her début performances with English National Opera as Leïla in their new production of The Pearl Fishers directed by Penny Woolcock and conducted by Rory Macdonald. She returns to Scottish Opera this autumn as Micäela in their production of Carmen.
Click here to download - CV, Biography, Reviews, Picture Gallery
Steven Swales Artist Management