Laura Wright (singer)

Laura Kathryn Wright (born 17 June 1990) is an English soprano. She is a classical-popular crossover singer who performs classical and operatic music, popular songs, musical theatre and folk songs.

Early life

Wright was born in Suffolk; her father is Paul Wright (a financial adviser) and her mother Caroline (an artist and lecturer). She has three older brothers; Seamus, Patrick and Liam. Her eldest brother Seamus works as a Marketing Director and also fronts his own alternative band Young Poets. Patrick is a teacher at St George's School (Windsor Castle) and Liam is currently working as an Architect. Wright and her family grew up in Framlingham, Suffolk. She won scholarships to attend the fee-paying Framlingham College along with her three brothers.^[1][2]

Career

In 2005, at the age of 15, Wright won the BBC Radio 2 Chorister of the Year award for female voice.^[3] She then soon became a member of quartet All Angels from its formation until June 2010 and thus performed on three of their albums^[4] while also still studying at school. (Her place in the quartet was then taken — in July 2010 — by Rachel Fabri.)

With over a million cumulative album sales under her belt, Wright is one of the biggest selling classical artists this decade. She is best known for her debut solo album of folk (and folk style) songs, The Last Rose, released in 2011.^[5][6] It reached the #1 album position on the Classical Compilation Albums Chart of Official Charts.^[7] The Last Rose was also was nominated for a Classical Brit Award in 2012. Her inspiration for the album, which was her own idea, was a Christmas gift in 2010 of a book of traditional songs of the British Isles.

In April 2013, Wright sold out her first Headline show's at The Royal Albert Hall's 'Elgar Rooms'. She was also a guest artist on the 2011/2012 UK tour of English tenor Alfie Boe.^[8] and the Queens's Jubilee tour with Russell Watson. She became the first soprano to perform at the Olympic Stadium as well as giving a critically acclaimed performance of Ravel’s ‘Bolero‘ with Noah Stewart on the ITV Dancing On Ice 2012 final. She opened the iTunes Festival for Andrea Bocelli in the Autumn and performed Faure’s Requiem at the Royal Opera House for the Royal Ballet.

She was selected to record the new Diamond Jubilee song, Stronger As One, which HM The Queen mentioned in her Commonwealth Day Message at Westminster Abbey in March 2012 where the song was premiered.^[9] The song is featured as a track on the number one single Sing by Gary Barlow, as well as her rendition of God Save the Queen.

Wright received the PPL Classical Award at the Nordoff Robbins 02 Silver Clef Awards. Following her work with Nordoff Robbins, she was asked to be an Ambassador of Arthritis Research UK, having battled her own debilitating condition at a young age. She appeared as a competitor in the Blue Peter Olympic Challenge in June and July 2012, finishing with a bronze medal.^[10]

In June 2012 she received the PPL Classical Award^[11] and in August 2012 sang at the Rugby League 2012 Challenge Cup Final.

In November 2012, the RFU announced that Wright as their first official anthem singer, supporting the England Rugby team at their international and 6 Nations rugby matches, most recently the 2013 QBE Autumn Internationals. In February 2013 Laura sang the National Anthem live at all of the Six Nations Championship matches held at Twickenham.^[12] A firm sporting favourite, Laura has also sung at the FA Cup Final, Carling Cup Final, The Carnegie Challenge Cup Final, WSB Boxing, Polo in the Park and most recently the two NFL games held at Wembley in 2013.

A dedicated follower of fashion, Laura opened the London Fashion Gala at Mansion House at the request of Fashion entrepreneur Sir Harold Tillman ahead of London Fashion Week in September 2013.

On Friday 3 January 2014 BBC4 broadcast a special tribute programme to the lyricist Don Black, "Diamonds are Forever: A tribute to Don Black". Wright sang Amigos Paras Siempre, a song composed by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics written by Black. Wright was accompanied by the male choir Only Men Aloud with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Outside of singing, she is a keen runner and cyclist. She took part in the 2011 London Marathon.^[2] and 2011 Venice marathon. She also plays full-back for Rosslyn Park Ladies rugby team.^[13] She recently completed her studies at the Royal College of Music in London, gaining a first class degree.^[1]

Discography

Solo

• 2011: The Last Rose
• 2012: Glorious (UK Chart Peak #52)

With All Angels (albums)

• 2009: Fly Away
• 2007: Into Paradise
• 2006: All Angels

References