(Credit: Christopher Pledger)

British Youth Opera has announced the appointment of a celebrated English mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly as its new president.

Connolly took to Twitter saying “Extremely proud to be involved with this brilliant opera company and in the futures of our wonderful young singers.”

Connolly will sing the Mahler’s “Rückert-Lieder” in a concert on Nov. 5, 2021. She will be joined by baritone Benedict Nelson who will interpret Vaughan Williams’ “Songs of Travel.” Jane Glover conducts the Southbank Sinfonia.

Connolly is one of the leading mezzo-sopranos of our time. She has appeared on the world’s greatest operatic stages, including the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera House, Opéra National de Paris, Teatro alla Scala, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Bayerische Staatsoper, Wiener Staatsoper, San Francisco Opera, Maggio Musicale, La Monnaie, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera, and English National Opera, among others.

Connolly has also taken part at the greatest opera festivals, including the Bayreuth Festival, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, among others.