Q&A with Horizon Artist, soprano Isabelle Peters

Q&A with Isabelle Peters

We caught up with Horizon Artist, soprano Isabelle Peters about meaningful connections and not giving up.

“Isabelle Peters [was] a groovily dramatic tour de force… She is a singer to watch.”
— David Smythe for Bachtrack

Isabelle Peters, soprano

Isabelle Peters, soprano

“Stepping it at the last minute, Isabelle Peters was a rich-toned Dido”
— Flora Wilson for The Guardian

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Isabelle Peters, soprano sings “O mio babbino caro” for Welsh National Opera

“Remember that you as a unique human being have something no one else can say - feel it sincerely and it will be clear to an audience!”

— Isabelle Peters

Isabelle Peters, soprano sings a folksong in Waterperry Gardens

“I was caught up in comparing my journey to other artists’, and wholly thought I wasn’t good enough because my situation didn’t look like theirs. ”

— Isabelle Peters

Q&A

How would your friends describe you?

Caring, resilient and silly.

What’s your most memorable performance?

My debut at the Barbican as Dido in Errollyn Wallen's "Dido's Ghost".

Who or what inspires you?

My close friends and family, and artists who strive to be unapologetically true to themselves.

What would you change about the industry?

The lingering undercurrent of sexism, racism, and inaccessibility within classical music.

…and what makes you love it?

The sense of community, the endless possibility for play and interpretation, connection between past and present, meeting new people constantly and making meaningful connections, touching audiences, rehearsals, and the unique possibilities within every live performance.

Song everyone should listen to?

“Olalla” - Blanco White and “Eden (Harlem)” - Nicholas Britell

Favourite piece to perform?

“No Word from Tom” by Stravinsky or Schubert’s “Hemliches Lieben”

Any performance tips?

Breathe - can't believe how often I forget! And to remember you as a unique human being have something no one else can say - feel it sincerely and it will be clear to an audience!

What’s tough about being a musician?

Uncertainty, and avoiding comparison.

I have come very close to considering if my dreams of singing for a living were viable or not. I think women in particular, have an added pressure to "make it" by a certain time (especially in opera), or at least be on a 'one-size-fits-all' pre-prescribed trajectory.

For a brief moment leading up to the pandemic, I was caught up in comparing my journey to other artists', and wholly thought I wasn't good enough because my situation didn't look like theirs. I'm very glad I didn't listen to those voices inside my head, and instead, leant on support and encouragement from those closest to me and the little bit of self-belief I had left. That experience has given me invaluable perspective, and new-found respect and drive for what I am doing/aiming for.

Any performance mishap?

Too rude to mention!

Favourite quote?

"Remember that as an Artist, you don't have something to prove, but something to say."

Got any recommendation for great social media accounts by musicians?

TheMexicanTenor' (Eleazer Rodriguez) - a laugh a day, and a daily reminder to #DrinkWater

Follow Isabelle on Instagram

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