Anna Leese

Soprano Anna Leese graduated from the Royal College of Music Benjamin Britten Opera course in London, winning the coveted Queen Elizabeth Rose Bowl. In 2004 she was the winner of the Royal Overseas League Vocal competition.

Numerous operatic roles include Ilia in Mozart's Idomeneo with the Auckland Opera Studio, Juliette in Gounod's Roméo et Juliette with the British Youth Opera, and Tamiri in Mozart's Il Re Pastore at the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House (where she made her debut aged 24).

In 2006 Anna performed in her first Prom concert with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Norrington, and with the Royal Opera House, understudied Arminda in La Finta Giardiniera, Musetta in La Bohème and in January 2007 sang Michaela in Bizet's Carmen. Since then, at the Royal Opera House, she has performed Musetta in La Bohème, Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte and Echo in Ariadne auf Naxos. She has also appeared in principal roles with Oper Köln, Canadian Opera, Opera New Zealand, Vlaamse Opera in Belgium and Opera Holland Park.

On the concert stage Anna has sung with several of the world's most-loved singers: Andrea Bocelli in Auckland and José Carreras in Newcastle, Seoul and Taipei. Another highlight for this avid All Blacks fan was performing with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in Twickenham Stadium, 2005, for Jonah Lomu's return to rugby sevens.