Rising Stars

Three to look out for…

Lauren Fagan Soprano

Born: Sydney, Australia Career highlight: Singing Violetta in Verdi’s La traviata at Opera Holland Park last summer. It took such an incredible amount of preparation, so it was so exciting to eventually share it with an audience.

Career highlight: I continually turn for inspiration to sopranos Lucia Popp for Mozart and Mirella Freni for Romantic repertoire. Conductor Antonio Pappano also has the most ridiculous schedule but never gives less than 100 per cent to the music. I strive to be that committed!

Dream concert: Watching Lucia Popp sing Mozart arias, followed by the final trio from Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier. Jessye Norman would finish with Strauss’s Four Last Songs.

Gerard Aimontche Pianist

Born: Moscow, Russia Career highlight:

Playing with the Chineke! orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. It was a great illustration of how vibrant and diverse classical music can look, and it was truly inspiring to play with such top musicians.

Musical hero: Sergei Rachmaninov was a hugely authoritative performer, had a real gift for composition and was also a marvellous conductor.

Dream concert: When I studied at the

Royal College of Music I used to practise in rooms facing the Albert Hall, dreaming of performing there. Playing a dazzling piano concerto to 5,000 at a Prom would be ideal.

Margo Arsane Mezzo-soprano

Born: Lyons, France Career highlight: Having only graduated from Guildhall last year, my professional career is only just beginning.

Being selected to train at the National Opera Studio has given me the opportunity to learn from the likes of René Jacobs, Renée Fleming and Gerald Finley.

Musical hero: I admire mezzo Joyce Didonato for her fire, dedication and generosity as a performer and mentor to young artists.

Dream concert: I love the stage and the collaborative process involved in creating a show, so my dream is to spend my life telling stories through operas and songs.