Laura Sarti MBE FGS

Laura Sarti, mezzo-soprano, was born in Trieste, Northern Italy, where she heard many of the legendary singers such as Gigli, Schipa, Gina Cigna and Toti dal Monte so that the Bel Canto and Italianate style are, as it were, inbred. Moving to Britain after the second World War she began vocal studies with Emmy Heim and Lucy Manen.

Her operatic career began at Glyndebourne where she was chosen by Maestro Gui for the role of Berta in a production and EMI recording of 'The Barber of Seville', the cast including Victoria de Los Angeles and Luigi Alva. She also sang the role of 'Messaggera' in the Erato recording of Monteverdi’s 'L’Orfeo' which was awarded the International Disc Prize.

A founder cast member of Scottish Opera and Kent Opera, she also appeared at the Wexford, Bregenz and Aix-en-Provence International Festivals encompassing over thirty roles. Her extensive broadcasting experience included de Falla’s 'La Vida Breve' with Margaret Price in the first BBC colour television opera.

A noted recitalist both in her own right and as part of the 'Benvenuto Duo' (which she formed together with the soprano Claire Walmesley and accompanist Paul Hamburger), she built a reputation for innovative recital design. A Wigmore Hall recital by the Duo was singled out by a leading music journal as an example of 'consummate artistry'. 

A professor and Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama since the 1970s, she has developed an international reputation as a teacher and regularly gives Master Classes in Britain, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany and Ireland. Her students are drawn from all over Europe and many have gained acceptance on advanced courses at the Guildhall School and other leading Conservatories. Her pupils appear regularly with leading national and international opera companies as well as pursuing careers in concert and recital. Her long vocal teaching and performance career in opera has given her an especial insight into Italianate, French and Spanish styles and repertoire, for which she is particularly well known. Her other activities include lecturing and adjudication as well as publishing translations, in particular of 'Don Giovanni' and 'L’incoronazione di Poppea'.