Cheshire born Soprano Victoria Barbé is currently enjoying working on singing the role of Mrs Beguildy for the new musical, Harvest Home, which is written and composed by Bernard Irvin.
She performed the role of Zorah in Ruddigore and in the Ensemble of Yeomen of the Guard, (which were both Directed by Jeff Clarke and Conducted by John Owen Edwards) this summer 2011 at the Buxton Opera House for the G&S Opera Company as part of their International Festivals programme.
During 2010 she completed a run with the Thursford Christmas Spectacular (directed by Michele Thorne and Benjamin Ellin) in which she was a Featured Solo Singer as well as Ensemble. In December the show was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, this being their very first Royal Engagement as a betrothed couple!
Between August and November 2010 Victoria was the Cover Mimi in the Co Opera Co National Tour of La Boheme (directed by William Relton), and played Mimi in their London based production in August.
Victoria received a Philip Langridge Bursary Fund through the Co Opera Co to help with studying the role of Mimi with Mary Plazas. This donation was kindly made possible by Murray Hipkin of the ENO.
Other appearances have included the Charity Gala Concert in Celebration of Philip Langridge CBE, the Sally Burgess Masterclass at Vernon Ellis's Hall, Queen's Gate Terrace in London, Mrs Gobineau The Medium, Beggar Woman Sweeney Todd, Rossini's Messe Solennelle Handel's The Messiah, Chorus of Richard Hickox's Chandos recording of Trial by Jury, and many workshops including those led by Ian Judge, William Relton, Mary Plazas, Sally Burgess, Kate Flowers, Jacquie Crago, Fiona Bryan, Louise Winter, Stephen Wilder, John Hudson, Paul Nilon, and Pippa Ailion.
Performances have taken her to venues such as London Palladium, Royal Festival Hall, Hoffburg Palace, Vienna, and St David's Hall, Cardiff.
Victoria trained at the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama from where she gained her Masters, and has kept refreshing her skills through courses with the Estill Voice Model by Anne-Marie Speed & Associates, and Co Opera Co Workshops.
Awards for training included the Elias Singing Prize for Sopranos and a Sir Geraint Evans Scholarship.
Victoria is a full member of Equity and is a member of Spotlight., where her CV can be viewed. For a full CV, please contact Victoria via email as listed on the Contact Page of this website.
Reports following Victoria's performances:
"Highlights included ... a beautifully-sung performance of Climb Every Mountain" (Eastern Daily Press Review of the Thursford Christmas Spectacular Opening Show, for which Victoria was a featured soloist)
"... a natural stage person with excellent presentational skills and this was a very exciting performance...." (Sarah Walker commenting on Creative Voices Concert)
"...an impressive instrument.." (Clive Timms, GSMD)
"Straightforwardly strong and charming." (Robin Bowman commenting on Final Recital)
"... a full dramatic voice with a very good potential..." (Lada Valesova, GSMD)
"... a wonderfully communicative performing personality." (Linnhe Robertson, GSMD)