Elizabeth Ritchie

Professor of Singing

Elizabeth Ritchie trained at the Royal Academy of Music, the London Opera Centre (now the National Opera Studio), and – with awards gained – at the Salzburg Mozarteum, before joining Glyndebourne Opera, where she graduated to solo roles during the main season and the tour.

Her operatic career continued, with performances at the major opera houses throughout the United Kingdom, working with conductors such as Sir Bernard Haitink, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Reginald Goodall, John Mauceri and Philippe Herreweghe, and with directors such as John Cox, Robert Carsen, and the late Sir Graham Vick, to name but a few.

As an Oratorio singer and recitalist, Elizabeth has performed at notable venues in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, including recitals at the Wigmore Hall and the South Bank, and at The Three Choirs and other festivals, as well as in Germany and Holland. Elizabeth has made several recordings of song and opera, and has been heard on Radio 3, Radio 4 and Classic FM.

Elizabeth taught for many years at the RAM, of which she became a Fellow in 2007, and many of Elizabeth’s students have had considerable success in prestigious national and international competitions, including the Cardiff Singer of the World (Winner of the Audience Prizle in 2019), Kathleen Ferrier, Handel and Mozart competitions. Those of Elizabeth’s students who have continued in the profession have obtained engagements in major Houses in the United Kingdom and across much of the world.

As well as teaching, Elizabeth has adjudicated at numerous festivals and competitions, and has given many masterclasses, in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe as well as in Iceland.

In July 2021 Elizabeth resigned from the RAM, thereafter joining the Royal Northern College of Music as a principal study tutor.