Glaswegian Mezzo Beth Taylor, lauded for her “strong presence” and “intriguing depth”, is on the onset of a major international career.
This 2022 season, Beth made her role debuts as Erda, Schwertleite and Erste Norn in Wagner’s ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen’ at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and also an acclaimed debut as the title role in Rossini’s rarely performed melodrama, ‘Bianca e Falliero’ at Oper Frankfurt, whilst also performing the contralto solos in a staged version of J.S. Bach’s ‘Matthäus Passion’ at the Theater Basel. In Summer 2022, Beth makes her highly anticipated UK debut at the Glyndebourne Festival as Bradamante in their first ever production of Handel’s ‘Alcina’. Upcoming engagements include the role of Ursule in Berlioz’s ‘Béatrice et Bénédict’ at the Berlioz Festival in La Cote-Saint-André, the role of Arsace in Rossini’s ‘Semiramide’ at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and the role of Anna in Berlioz’s ‘Les Troyens’ with the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
Beth is grateful to be in very high demand across Europe’s concert platforms also in song and oratorio. She has performed numerous popular and lesser known works with notable ensembles including the Dunedin Consort, Capella Mediterranea, Netherlands Radio Filarmonorchestra, the Ricecar Ensemble and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Recent concert performances include the role of Argia in the first performance in modern times of Giacomelli’s ‘La Merope’ at Het Concertgebouw and the role of Cornelia in Handel’s ‘Giulio Cesare’ at the Auditorio Nacional de Madrid, both with La Cetra Barockorchester under the baton of Andrea Marcon. In song, her recent collaborations with notable pianists and chamber musicians Julius Drake, Jonathan Ware, Marcia Hadjimarkos, Mathieu Pordoy and rising star Hamish Brown have led to several celebrated recitals in Denmark, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy
Beth graduated with distinction from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (2012-2018) and from the Open University under the tutelage of Margaret Izatt and Iain Paton. She is currently refining her technique with the support of several coaches including the legendary mezzo-soprano, Jennifer Larmore.
She is also an enthusiastic ambassador for arts education in environments catering to individuals with additional support needs, having worked as a tutor and practitioner for Paragon Music in Glasgow and as a member of the Live Music Now Scotland scheme. She hopes to devote more time in the near future working to ensure more of Scotland’s musicians have access to quality arts educatio.
She is the 3rd prize winner of the 2019 Wigmore Hall Competition, the 1st prize winner of the 2018 Gianni Bergamo Classical Music Awards in Switzerland and grand winner of the prestigious 2022 Elizabeth Connell Prize for dramatic voices.
Beth is represented by Fischer Artists International.