Claire Booth

Claire Booth received a double 1st in Modern History from Oxford University before studying at GSMD. While there, she came to international attention performing the world premiere of Birtwistle’s Io Passion at the Bregenz and Aldeburgh Festivals, followed by her debut at Nationale Opera Amsterdam as Pakriti in Harvey’s Wagner Dream. For the Royal Opera she has sung the title role in Handel’s Berenice, Irene (Bajazet) and solo performances of both Kurtág’s Kafka Fragments and Haas’ Atthis. Other roles include Rossini heroines Rosina and Elcia (Mosè in Egitto) for WNO, Nora (Riders to the Sea) for ENO, the title role of The Cunning Little Vixen for Garsington Opera and critically acclaimed performances of La Voix Humaine at WNO and Wigmore Hall, earning her Best Actress at the Welsh Theatre Awards.

Booth’s extensive collaboration with the late Oliver Knussen included her portrayal of Max in Where the Wild Things Are with the LA Philharmonic, performing under his baton with the Stockholm and Tokyo Philharmonics, BBCSO, London Sinfonietta and Boston Symphony Orchestra. Other selected concert performances include Erwartung with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchester, Vier Letzte Lieder with Boston Philharmonic, Tippett’s Child of Our Time with CBSO at Elbphilharmonie, Anne Truelove in Rakes Progress with the CBSO, and Miranda in Adès’ Tempest with the Royal Concertgebauw Orchestra Amsterdam.

 She is a director of the BPA Composition and Performance Course, coaches modern operatic repertoire at RAM and RWCMD, and works with composers on the Opera Makers program at GSMD. Her recent award-winning Masters’ dissertation on the continuing relevance of opera in English translation has led to strategic discussions with ENO as to the company’s future direction. She takes up a Creative Fellowship post at Merton College, Oxford in 2026.