Meet the Artists: Claire Ward (soprano)

November 10, 2022

Soprano, Claire Ward

In this new series, we’re meeting the 2022 CMF Artists and getting to know a little bit about them as musicians and find out what they get up to away from music.

Claire Ward is a British/Irish soprano based in London. In 2022 Claire became an Opera Prelude Young Artist and returned to perform with Opera Holland Park in the chorus of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.

How long have you been singing for?

I have been singing my whole life. I apparently asked my parents for singing lessons when I was three; they, rather wisely, waited until I was a little older.

What is the best thing about being a musician?

I love the varied lifestyle. Every week, music brings new opportunities and new people into my life.

Can you tell us a little bit about the kind of music you sing?

I sing mostly classical song, baroque music and opera.

Favourite composer?

My favourite composers are Poulenc for vocal music and Rachmaninoff for his choral, piano and orchestral works.

What are you most looking forward to about being a CMF Artist?

I’m most looking forward to the guidance – being a freelance musician can feel quite terrifying in that you’re navigating a career that doesn’t have a set path. Having such knowledge and support around will be really valuable to building a sustainable and varied career.

Which tracks would you take to your desert island?

The Rachmaninoff Vespers.

What do you do in your down time?

I have recently taken up triathlon – so I mostly swim, run or cycle when I have time off. I find it so helpful to have the sporting events as goals to target, as it stops me putting all that pressure on my musical output.

Which TV shows are you binging at the moment?

Workin Moms and Saving Lives at Sea.

If you were only allowed to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Shepherd’s Pie.

You can see Claire performing in our lunchtime concert series at the Great Hall, Barts Heritage in January 2023.