In the 2008-2009 season, contralto Meredith Arwady debuted at the Metropolitan Opera as Pasqualita in John Adam's Dr. Atomic, conducted by Alan Gilbert.

Claire Bloom was born in London and made her first appearance on the stage with the Oxford Repertory Company at the age of 16.

Musical America Grammy Award winning American soprano Christine Brewer's appearances in opera, concert and recital are marked with her own unique timbre, at once warm and brilliant, combined with a vibrant personality and emotional honesty reminiscent of the great sopranos of the past.

Praised for her thoughtful characterizations and musicality, Layla Claire's interpretations of Mozart's heroines have garnered accolades throughout North America and Europe.

Radiant American mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke caused a sensation as Kitty Oppenheimer in the Metropolitan Opera premiere of John Adams's Doctor Atomic.

Michelle DeYoung has already established herself as one of the most exciting artists of her generation.

This Canadian baritone has become one of the leading singers and dramatic interpreters of his generation, with award-winning performances and recordings on CD and DVD with major labels and performing at the world's major opera and concert venues in a wide variety of repertoire.

The Austrian bass Günther Groissböck studied voice at the Academy for Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where he also took part in Robert Holl's master class.

This season, rising star mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey returned to both the Metropolitan Opera as Nicklausse in Les Contes d'Hoffmann and the Seattle Opera as Rosina in Il Barbiere si Siviglia, made her debut at the Los Angeles Opera as Zaida in Il Turco in Italia.

Legendary bass-baritone James Morris is world famous for his performances in opera, concert, recital, and recording.

Hanno Müller-Brachmann began his musical training in Basel and in Freiburg. He attended Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's Lied classes in Berlin and he continues to study with Rudolf Piernay.

Simon O'Neill has rapidly established himself as one of the finest helden-tenors on the international stage.

Acclaimed for his commanding stage presence and inventive artistry, American bass-baritone Eric Owens has carved a unique place in the contemporary opera world as both an esteemed interpreter of classic works and a champion of new music.

Mark Padmore was born in London and grew up in Canterbury. After beginning his musical studies on the clarinet he gained a choral scholarship to King's College, Cambridge and graduated with an honours degree in music.

Anna Prohaska is one of the most exciting singers of her generation. She studied at the "Hanns Eisler" Hochschule für Musik with Norma Sharp, Brenda Mitchell and Wolfram Rieger.

Possessing a voice praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for its 'effortless precision and tonal luster,' Jessica Rivera is established as one of the most creatively inspired vocal artists before the public today.

Roberto Saccà is of Italo-German extraction, born and grown up in Germany. He studied voice in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, initial engagements first took him to Würzburg and Wiesbaden. His big breakthrough was in 1995 in Haydn's Orfeo ed Euridice with M° Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Cecilia Bartoli at the Vienna Festival.

Equally at home on the concert and opera stages, Carolyn Sampson has enjoyed notable successes in the UK as well as throughout Europe and the US.

Camilla Tilling was born in Linköping, Sweden, studied at the University of Gothenburg and graduated in 1998 from London's Royal College of Music.