The first recipients of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Sarah Brightman Scholarships have been announced.
The scholarships have been awarded to tenor Alexander Grainger and soprano Alexandra Lowe, who have just graduated from the BMus at Royal Northern College of Music, to support them on the two-year Master of Music Programme at RNCM.
Earlier this year, Sarah Brightman donated the proceeds from the sale of two pieces of tiger jewellery by Cartier, formerly from the collection of the Duchess of Windsor, which had been given to her by her then husband Andrew Lloyd Webber to the foundation that bears his name. The Foundation decided to use this donation towards music scholarships supporting a soprano and a tenor in their studies.
Both Grainger and Lowe will study on the two-year Master of Music course, which offers intensive advanced study, masterclasses with leading performers, coaches and directors, a range of performance opportunities including two fully staged operas and varied professional experience with RNCM partners such as Opera North.
While at RNCM, Grainger has played Camille in the RNCM production of The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar and performed in the chorus of Paradise Moscow (Shostakovich) and Orfeo ed Euridice (Gluck). He is currently performing in the Buxton Festival Chorus in productions of Donizetti’s Lucia Di Lammermoor and Verdi’s Giovanna D’arco.
Lowe began her classical training at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music on a scholarship, and she was awarded the Singer of the Year in 2011. She then secured a scholarship to RNCM for her undergraduate degree. RNCM roles include Helena in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hélène de Solanges (Véronique) and Giulia (La Scala di Seta). In December 2014 she played the role of Sylvaine in the RNCM’s production of The Merry Widow.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said, "‘it is crucial that proper training is available for the performers of the future. I am grateful for Sarah’s donation and it fills me with great joy that my Foundation can help Alexandra and Alexander’s fulfil their potential at RNCM and take vital steps towards a professional career."
Sarah Brightman added, "it’s wonderful to see these two talented stars of the future being supported. The jewels which Andrew bought gave me immense pleasure and I’m so pleased proceeds from their sale will now play a part in enabling Alexandra and Alexander to enjoy their training without the additional financial concerns that are a burden on young singers."
RNCM's Head of Opera, Stefan Janski, said, "having recently completed undergraduate degrees at the College, Alexandra and Alexander demonstrate exceptional professional potential, and the vital support provided by these prestigious awards will prove invaluable, both financially and in nurturing their early careers."