Ellie Forrester is a Scottish soprano currently pursuing a Master of Music at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), where she studies under the tutelage of Mary Plazas. She graduated with Distinction from her BMus in 2024. Her postgraduate studies are generously supported by Help Musicians' Dick Maidment and Peggy Cooper Award, the Sylvia Wyndham Bursary, the Dame Eva Turner Award, the McGlashan Trust, SIET, the Elizabeth Izatt Trust, and the Sir James Caird Scholarship.

 

Ellie’s operatic roles include The Fox in Janáček's The Cunning Little Vixen (RNCM Opera, Upcoming), Fata Morgana in Prokofiev’s L’amour des trois oranges (RNCM Opera), Elettra in an abridged version of Mozart’s Idomeneo (RNCM Spotlight Series), Miss Wingrave in Britten’s Owen Wingrave (RNCM Opera), La Contessa in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (Kleine Opera), and Asphodèle in Chabrier’s L’étoile (RNCM Opera). In opera scene performances, she has embodied a wide range of characters, including Arabella (Arabella), Penelope Rich (Gloriana), Venere (Ascanio in Alba), Arminda (La finta giardiniera), Aunt Norris (Mansfield Park), and Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte). Her chorus experience includes productions of Carmen, Don Carlos, L’elisir d’amore, Die Fledermaus, Manon Lescaut, The Magic Flute, and Le nozze di Figaro for companies such as Dorset Opera, Opera de Baugé and RNCM Opera.

 

A passionate concert performer, Ellie recently made her Bridgewater Hall debut as the soprano soloist in Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, alongside mezzo-soprano Yvonne Howard and conductor Anthony Hermus, as part of Manchester Classical Festival. She also recently appeared as Queen/Second Harlot in Handel's Solomon and as the soprano soloist in Vivaldi’s Dixit Dominus and Magnificat, both with Bolton Festival Choir. In the new year, Ellie looks forward to performing Isolde in Wagner's Prelude & Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde (RNCM Spotlight Series).

 

At RNCM, Ellie was awarded second prize in The Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the Singing of Strauss, was a finalist in The Frederic Cox Award, and continues to receive support from the Dame Eva Turner Award.​ A dedicated advocate for art song, Ellie is a current RNCM Songster - a select group of singers and pianists presenting recitals across the UK. Through this platform, she has performed at venues including The Civic Hall, Elizabeth Gaskell House, and St Ann’s Church, offering audiences a wide-ranging recital repertoire. This autumn, she was praised for being 'vocally rich but also emotionally truthful' in an evening recital for Dolgellau Music Club in Wales, .

 

Whether on the operatic stage, concert platform or in the intimacy of song recital, Ellie brings a distinctive warmth and intelligence to her performances. She remains dedicated to sharing music that moves and connects to her audiences, with a deep commitment to storytelling through music.