Ruth Kerr studied music at Cambridge University, where she held Choral and Instrumental Scholarships, and Singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  Since leaving the Guildhall she has performed many leading operatic roles throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has worked for several of the UK’s best companies.

Operatic roles

Ruth has performed the role of Mimi (La Boheme) in several productions in England, France, Belgium and, most notably, Italy, where she sang the role for the Puccini Festival at Torre del Lago.  Other roles include Violetta (La traviata) for Kentish Opera and Riverside Opera and as a cover for English National Opera; the title role in Madame Butterfly for Scottish Opera Unwrapped and Court Opera; the title roles in Tosca and Aida, Mimi (La Boheme) and Gilda (Rigoletto) for Kentish Opera, Michaela (Carmen) for Opera Brava; Tatyana (Eugene Onegin) for Opera-for-All; the cover of Kristina (The Makropulos Case) for English National Opera and the cover of Little Moon (A Night at the Chinese Opera, by Judith Weir) for Scottish Opera.  She has also ventured into comedy, singing the role of Susanna (Marriage of Figaro) for the Belgian company Idee Fixe in performances in Belgium and Northern France and performing a variety of Gilbert & Sullivan roles in concert and on stage.  Prior to beginning her solo career Ruth was also a member of the Glyndebourne Festival Chorus. 

Oratorio work

Ruth has performed extensively as an oratorio soloist, singing a great variety of works including Brahms’ Requiem, Verdi Requiem,

Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Rossini’s Messe Solennelle, Britten’s Company of Heaven, Bach’s Magnificat, Carmina Burana and several of the Masses by Haydn and Mozart.  She has also performed regularly in contemporary music, most notably singing the lead soprano solo role of Kristel in James MacMillan’s Parthenogenesis, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and was staged at the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House.               

Current Work

Ruth combines a busy performing career with, choral conducting and workshops, piano accompanying, singing teaching, and examining for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.  Recent and future plans include: the title role in Madame Butterfly for Scottish Opera Outreach Tour; the title role in Aida for Kentish Opera; Music examining for the ABRSM in Malaysia, and concerts with her choir, The Paddock Singers. In 2019 she was also appointed Director of Brighton Chamber Choir.

For further information, production photos and future performance dates please visit my website www.ruthkerr.co.uk