Getting to know you: Q & A with CLB's newest artist Rebecca Leggett
meet the latest addition to our roster, sussex born mezzo-soprano rebecca leggett
Q: What made you decide to become a singer?
A: I don’t think I ever ‘decided’ to be a singer, if I did then it was probably only in the last couple of years or so when I asked myself ‘Do you want this to be your job?’ It’s the classic story of I’ve just always been singing, in one form or another, and the performing arts were always an obvious and natural road for me. At sixth form I do remember making a conscious choice one day to put all my eggs in one basket; focus solely on performing arts and musical studies - it left me with no backups but I knew that that is where I wanted to focus all my energy.
Q: Well we are certainly happy you made that choice! Who are the artists that you admire and that have had a big impact on you?
A: From the none ‘classical’ world, the artists that I admire and could listen to all day are people like Ella Fitzgerald, Julie Andrews, Judy Garland, Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand and Elvis. I’m also not afraid to say that I’m a massive ABBA fan…!
For me, when I’m learning a piece I usually go to recordings of Anne Sofie von Otter or Sarah Connolly and that must have had an impact on me somehow; their voices are brilliant, warm, and vibrant, very polished. However, it’s the voices of Janet Baker, Cecilia Bartoli and Maria Callas that make me feel anything is possible. I suppose that because I sometimes struggle with my identity as a singer, where my voice fits in to the classical world, I love listening to the uniqueness and sometimes oddness/strangeness of their voices. It’s a very welcome reminder that I don’t need to sound like the mezzo who just went before me in an audition - I just need to sound like myself.
“Mezzo-soprano Rebecca Leggett...it was thrilling to see and hear a fine career blossoming before one’s eyes and ears.”
Q: Very wise words! Do you have a favourite performance memory or role you have done that particularly stands out?
A: The most memorable performance that is fresh in my memory is stepping in at the Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam for Bach’s St. John Passion with the OAE - terrifying and wonderful in equal measure!
I think the most special operatic performance has to be the very first professional opera I did back in 2015 as Flora in Britten’s ‘Turn of the Screw’ for Opera di Firenze. I was 18 and hadn’t been away from home that much so living out in Italy on my own was definitely a bit daunting! I had the most magical time, I learnt a great deal about myself and the company were very supportive and fun to work with. It also solidified my love for Britten’s music…and limone gelato!
Q: When not singing or eating limone gelato, how do you like to spend your time?
I don’t have the most exciting or thrill-seeking hobbies (and I’m definitely not sporty!) but I like to play basic guitar and even more basic piano, knit & crochet, read Penguin classics, mainly D.H Lawrence, go for walks with my camera, watch Cheers and eat nice food with my lovely boyfriend Hugh, oh and watch Star Trek when no one else is around!