Karen England - juror

Karen England is a British mezzo-soprano, a versatile soloist and acclaimed opera singer. She joined the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, introducing her to some of the greatest choral works and culminating in a world tour in the early 1990s performing in America, Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia. The experience gave her a real passion for choral singing and repertoire.

She proceeded to study music and performance at the University of Leeds, followed by a postgraduate opera course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with Janice Chapman, Gillian Knight, Jean Allister and Theresa Goble.

Since then, she has enjoyed an eclectic career in the world of classical crossover, touring extensively worldwide and recording three studio albums for Sony, Instant Karma and Warner Classics, alongside performing with some of the world’s leading orchestras and headlining at the Classical Brit Awards. The duo became the first classical act to perform at the legendary Stardust Casino in Las Vegas and performed alongside Placido Domingo at LA Opera.

She has also served as an ambassador for UNICEF and SOS Children’s Villages, and the pair have been the subject of several documentaries.

Alongside performing, Karen is in demand as a private singing teacher, teaching across Cambridgeshire at several secondary schools and from her home.

To mark 25 years since the formation of OperaBabes, there is an exciting new project on the horizon together with a tour planned for 2027. With over 30 years’ experience in the performance and recording industry, Karen has carved out a niche as a multi-faceted international performer and teacher.

Karen began her career at the Royal Opera House, appearing in many productions in the late 1990s. She performed her first BBC Prom under Sir Simon Rattle in Wagner’s Das Rheingold and was a regular singer with London Voices under Terry Edwards, singing in world premieres at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris of Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre and John Adams’ El Niño. She became a sought-after mezzo-soprano, appearing in the title role of Carmen for Opera Ireland among many other leading roles in the UK.

In 2001 she was spotted busking in Covent Garden with her friend Rebecca Knight and offered the chance to sing at the FA Cup Final and Champions League Final in Milan. She subsequently signed to Sony Records as one half of the OperaBabes, a duo who gained prominence through their innovative blend of operatic arias and popular arrangements.

Since then, she has enjoyed an eclectic career in the world of classical crossover, touring extensively worldwide and recording three studio albums for Sony, Instant Karma and Warner Classics, alongside performing with some of the world’s leading orchestras and headlining at the Classical Brit Awards.