Leila Zanette
Leila is a mezzo-soprano of English and Italian origin. She completed her training on the Royal Academy Opera Programme as well as completing her Master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of Sarah Walker, Nuccia Focile and Joseph Middleton Leila was kindly supported by the Charles Mackerras Opera Scholarship, PF Charitable Trust Award, the Patricia Kris Wolfe Prize and is currently supported by the Josephine Baker Trust and Opera Prelude, with whom she is a Young Artist.
Leila will be joining Grasigton Opera this summer for the third time, as an Alvarez Young Artist, covering the role of Rosina in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia as well as performing in the chorus of Smenata's The Bartered Bride. Last season with Garsington Opera Leila performed in the chorus of Mozart’s Così fan tutte and Dvorjak’s Rusalka, as well coving the role of the 2nd Nymph in Rusalka. in 2021, Leila performed in the chorus of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin and Rossini’s Le Comte Ory, in which she also sung the role of Mezzo Corypheè.
After 2 years of postponement, in April 2022, Leila performed the role of Irene, with Cambridge Handel Opera Company for their production of Handel's Tamerlano in Cambridge at the Leys Great Hall. In October 2021, Leila performed the role of Romeo in Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi, with Wexford Festival Opera and the Wexford Factory Young Artists, as well as performing in the chorus for the Festival.
Leila spent the beginning of 2020 working with Scottish Opera in the chorus for their production of John Adams' Nixon in China. in 2019 after graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Leila performed the role of La Ciesca in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi with LunchBreak Opera. During her time with the Royal Academy Opera Leila performed the roles of Marta in Tchaikovsky's Iolanta, Juno in Handel's Semele, Véronique in Bizet’s Le Docteur Miracle and Older Woman in Jonathan Dove’s Flight, and Medea in Handel’s Teseo at the London Handel Festival in conjunction with the Royal Academy Opera. In Academy Opera Scenes she has played Dorabella in Così fan tutte and Idamante in Idomeneo.
Leila first appeared at the Grange Festival in the summer of 2017, both as the cover of the title role and in the chorus of Bizet’s Carmen, and of Granados’s Goyescas. She has recently completed another season with the Grange Festival chorus in Verdi's Falstaff and Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro where she appeared also as one of the Bridesmaids.
Other roles in scenes include Tisbe (La Cenerentola), Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte), Sorceress (Dido and Aeneas), Judith (Bluebeard’s Castle), Lucretia (The Rape of Lucretia), Mistress Quickly (Sir John in Love) and Minskwoman (Flight).
Leila is a Young Artist with London based charity Opera Prelude. She is grateful for their continuous support and has benefited from several performance opportunities and masterclasses provided by Opera Prelude. Masterclasses include: Sir Thomas Allen and Della Jones.
