Irving Stage Company are exceedingly proud to announce their new Patron – Clare Presland.

Clare has written us some words to mark the start of this very exciting partnership:

My life and MUSICAL life started in Suffolk and I pride myself on being a ‘good olde Suffolk gal’.

I started singing with the legendary Birgitta Kenyon and performed with The Voice Squad for years. I then spent many incredibly inspiring years with Suffolk Young Peoples Theatre. My first role with them was as Joanna in Sweeney Todd. It was such a moment for me, one which made me realise that I’d like to become a singer, professionally. I will always be thankful for my learnings from this time along with the memories of the laughs we kiddos had!

When I was 16 I enrolled at the Junior Royal Academy of Music and spent Saturdays, during my A Level years, travelling to London for tuition. It was there that I discovered the world of Opera. I started singing because I wanted to be an actress, so when I discovered that Opera was singing the most sublime music whilst playing different, fascinating characters, I was hooked!!

I then went on to get my Bachelor and Master of Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

I’ve since gone on to enjoy a truly wonderful and varied career. I’ve performed at many of the world’s largest opera houses including The Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Opéra de Lyon, Théatre des Champs Elysées – Paris, Gran Teatre del Liceu – Barcelona, as well as many others. I’ve also enjoyed a successful concert career. This year I’ll make my BBC Proms debut with the London Philharmonic Orchestra!

What has always stayed with me, is how supported I’ve felt by the folk of Suffolk. My mother died of cancer when I was 16, just as I started my operatic journey and I guess I’ve always felt as if everyone in my home county supported and believed in me. That’s really special. You need that, to drive you forward to do it!

It’s an enormous honour to be a Patron of the Irving Stage Company. I performed with so many Irving members while growing up and I can’t wait to see and work alongside you in some of your future projects.

For more information about Clare and her work, visit – www.clarepresland.com