Where Are They Now?

Since the wonderful experience at EBISC '24 I continued my work in the Zurich Opera House and have since premiered Jonathan Dove‘s new opera "Around The World In 80 Days“ as the main role, Phileas Fogg. I was also featured in the SWR Young Opera Stars concert in Germany and will be singing at both the Salzburg and Verbier Festivals this Summer.

The Eastbourne International Singing Competition provided a very friendly and comfortable environment that I have rarely experienced in a competition and the generous prize has helped me to continue my development.

Since taking part in last year's inaugural Eastbourne International Singing Competition, Shafali has completed English Touring Opera's 2024 tour of 'The Rake's Progress' and 'Manon Lescaut' with English Touring Opera. She joined both Vache Baroque as Argene in Pergolesi's 'L'Olimpiade and The Royal Ballet & Opera chorus in Tosca, Fidelio, Aida, and Turandot. Shafali will be performing as part of the 'Abolition Song and its Legacies' project - a joint project between the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the British Library, and Handel & Hendrix House. Shafali says that it has been been "a wonderful year of study and growth!" In her next project she will join Longborough Festival Opera as Berta in Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville'. 

Since competing at the inaugural Eastbourne International Singing Competition, Annabel has moved to Düsseldorf to take up a place at the 'Deutsche Oper am Rhein' Opera Studio. Annabel enjoys having the chance to work in a theatre full-time, creating characters and performing with talented colleagues. She has also participated in other international competitions - IVC in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and the Wigmore International Song Competition and has curated her first recital with the 97 Ensemble. 

After the inaugural Eastbourne International Singing Competition 2024 Felicitas joined the Verbier Festival in Switzerland as part of the Atelier Lyrique, which included many prestigious masterclasses and concert opportunities. Here Felicitas sang the role of Alice Ford in a performance of Verdi‘s 'Falstaff'.

She subsequently moved back to Germany where she has been busy with concerts including a performance of Verdi's 'Requiem' with full orchestra and chorus at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, in which she was the soprano soloist.

Currently Felicitas is preparing the role of Mimi (La Bohème) for performances at the ‚Schlossfestspiele Ettlingen‘ from June-August 2025.

Since taking part in the inaugural Eastbourne International Singing Competition 2024, Samuel has made his debut at some of the world's most important opera houses . Last summer, as a member of the Salzburg Festspiele Young Singers' Project, he performed the role of ‘First Croupier’ in Peter Sellars' new production of Prokofiev’s 'The Gambler' in the historic Felsenreitschule. He also performed in the YSP Final Concert in the Haus für Mozart with the Mozarteum Orchestra. In September 2024 Samuel joined the Opernstudio of the Bayerische Staatsoper and has appeared as Arturo (Lucia di Lammermoor), Second Priest/First Armed Man (Die Zauberflöte) and Parpignol (La Bohème). In the near future he will also sing roles in 'Der Rosenkavalier' and 'Don Carlo'. Samuel describes it as being "rather surreal" to appear alongside such artists as Asmik Grigorian, Angel Blue, Louise Alder, Simon Keenleyside, Brindley Sherratt, Piotr Beczała, Xavier Anduaga, and Pene Pati. Samuel has recently enjoyed collaborating with and learning from conductors Zubin Mehta, Carlo Rizzi, and Vladimir Jurowski. He is delighted to be continuing in the Opernstudio of the Bayerische Staatsoper for a second season in 2025-26 and has several more exciting role debut-roles on the horizon. 

Since last year’s competition, I have been fortunate to continue developing my vocal artistry through various performances and projects. I have been kindly supported by the Josephine Baker Trust, which has helped me grow both technically and artistically. Also, I have performed Opera Scenes, singing the title role in Handel's 'Rinaldo' and also Valentiniano in Gluck's 'Ezio'. The Eastbourne International Singing Competition was a valuable experience that motivated me to pursue new opportunities, and I am truly grateful for it.