Welsh Soprano Alys Mererid Roberts from Rhoslan in north Wales is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music Opera school where she studied with Elizabeth Richie, Iain Ledingham, Mary Nelson and Ingrid Surgenor. Alys started singing from a very young age in local and international Eisteddfodau accross Wales. Before joining the RAM, Alys was a Vice Chancellor’s Scholar for Music at Durham University and a Samling Academy scholar. Alys is now learning with Raymond Connell at his private studio.

 

Roles with Royal Academy Opera include Euridice in Offenbach’s Orfee auf Enfeers (2017), Barbarina in Mozart’s Le Nozze Di Figaro (2015), Pannochka in Rimsky-Korsakov’s May Night (2016), Amore and Damigella in Monteverdi’s L'Incoronatione di Poppea and Una Conversa in Puccini's Suor Angelica (2014). Opera scenes include Vixen in Janáček's Příhody lišky Bystroušky, First Niece in Britten's Peter Grimes, Gretel in Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel, Frasquita in Bizet's Carmen and Despina in Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte. 

 

During her time at RAM, Alys also performed with Mid-Wales Opera singing second spirit in Mozart's Magic Flute (2017). She was one of a six-piece semi-chorus in the world premiere of Pwyll ap Sion's Gair ar Gnawd for WNO in 2015. Alys also created the role of 'Muse' in  WNO's new commission opera-film, Hedd Wyn by Stephen McNeff.

 

After graduating, Alys made her debut at Opera Holland Park, singing ‘Sopranino’ in Puccini’s La Rondine, and Tweedle Dee in Will Todd and Maggie Gottlieb's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and creating the role of Tiny Tim and Fan in a world premiere of Will Todd's A Christmas Carol with Opera Holland Park in 2017.​ She was an OHP Young Artist in 2018, singing Annina in their young artist production of La Traviata and has worked extensively with their 'Inspire' project throughout the years, singing and participating in workshops for people living with Dementia in the local community.

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Alys returned to Mid Wales Opera in 2018 to sing the role of Shepherd Boy in Tosca and was then cast as Polly in their tour of 'Mrs Peachum's Guide to love and marriage' their own adaptation of The Beggar's Opera. She was due to sing Despina under Jonathan Lyness and Richard Struder in the Autumn of 2020 but this was sadly cancelled due to Covid19.

 

Alys is also a regular performer with Charles Court Opera, having appeared as Yum Yum in The Mikado at King's Head Theatre (2018), Josephine in H.M.S Pinnafore (2019) and Zorah in  Ruddigore (2019) at the Buxton Opera Festival. 

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Prior to Covid19, Alys was just about to open OperaGlass Works' production of The Turn of The Screw at Wilton's Music Hall making her debut as Flora. Despite all performances being cancelled, the production has since been resurrected as an innovative opera-film hybrid and will be available to stream on Marquee Tv from January the 30th 2021. 

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Alys is currently one of the many artists patiently waiting for the re-opening of theatres, and cannot wait until the time when she can sing for her supper once more. In the meantime, Alys has been teaching singing to pupils of all ages and abilities over zoom and in person and focuses on a breath based, mindful approach to singing. Please do get in touch if this would be of any interest to you.

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Alys' studies were kindly supported by The Bryn Terfel Foundation, the Michael and Sally Payton Scholarship, The Maple Harper Charitable trust, The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity and the Sickle Foundation.