Lesley Garrett

Lesley Garrett
source
Name	Lesley Garrett
Birth date	10 February 1955
Birth place	Thorne, South Yorkshire, England
Occupation	Soprano, broadcaster, presenter
Years active	1977–present
Spouse	Christopher Maltman (separated)

Lesley Garrett is an English lyric soprano, broadcaster and entertainer noted for a diverse career spanning opera, concert performance, recordings and television. She has appeared with major companies and orchestras, collaborated with conductors and composers, and become a public figure through broadcasting and crossover projects. Her career has connected the worlds of Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Classic FM, and popular media outlets.

Early life and education

Born in Thorne, South Yorkshire, Garrett studied at local institutions before training at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. During her formative years she worked with teachers linked to the English National Opera network and participated in competitions associated with the Wigmore Hall and the Carl Rosa Opera Company. Early influences included performances at venues such as the Buxton Festival and contacts with figures from the Royal Opera House community, fostering links with conductors from the London Symphony Orchestra and choristers from the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.

Operatic career

Garrett made professional debuts in roles tied to lyric soprano repertoire with companies including the English National Opera and the Scottish Opera. Her roles have ranged from light Mozart heroines associated with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart operas staged at Glyndebourne to English-language productions of works by Gioachino Rossini and Gaetano Donizetti presented by touring companies such as the Sadler's Wells Theatre troupe. She has sung under conductors linked to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, collaborated with directors from Covent Garden and performed at festivals like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Aix-en-Provence Festival.

Concerts, recordings and broadcasts

Garrett has recorded for labels that engage with repertoires spanning George Frideric Handel, Giuseppe Verdi, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and lighter repertoire associated with Jerome Kern and George Gershwin. She has appeared with ensembles including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic, the Philharmonia Orchestra and chamber groups linked to the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Broadcast credits include live concerts on BBC Radio 3, performances for Classic FM broadcasts, collaborations with presenters from the BBC Proms and televised gala appearances associated with the Last Night of the Proms. Her discography includes crossover albums that brought her into contact with producers from the Decca Records and EMI Records rosters, and duet projects with artists connected to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and popular musicians who've appeared on Top of the Pops-adjacent programmes.

Television, film and stage appearances

Beyond opera, Garrett has featured on television series and entertainment programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, themed specials on BBC One, and variety formats linked to ITV and Channel 4. She has performed in musical theatre contexts at venues like the London Palladium and participated in stage productions that intersect with works by composers featured at the West End and touring circuits related to the National Theatre. Film and television credits include cameo performances and soundtrack contributions for productions supported by the British Film Institute and broadcasts associated with festivals such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Hay Festival.

Honors, awards and recognition

Garrett's recognition includes honours associated with institutions such as the Order of the British Empire, listings in publications like the Gramophone (magazine) and awards from bodies connected with the Royal Philharmonic Society and the Classic BRIT Awards. She has been invited to perform at state and celebratory events featuring ensembles from the House of Commons and the House of Lords and has been acknowledged by academic institutions including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge through honorary appointments or guest lectures. Her public profile has led to features in outlets linked to the BBC, ITV and leading newspapers with cultural pages.

Personal life and philanthropy

Garrett's personal associations include collaborations with musicians who have ties to the Royal Academy of Music and vocal coaches from institutions such as the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has supported charities connected to performing arts education, health-related music therapy programmes endorsed by the NHS and fundraisers run with organisations like the Prince's Trust and arts-supporting trusts associated with the Arts Council England. Garrett has taken part in benefit concerts alongside personalities from the Royal Family patronage network and worked with educational outreach projects linked to conservatoires such as the Royal College of Music.

Category:English sopranos Category:1955 births Category:Living people