English National Opera (ENO) is delighted to announce that Claire Barnett-Jones and John Findon are to become ENO Harewood Artists with immediate effect. 

The ENO Harewood Artist programme was established in 1998 as a means of providing a full-time training and performance scheme for exceptionally talented singers at the beginning of their careers. Both Claire and John will be provided with operatic training and will be fully supported for performance opportunities with ENO.

In ENO’s 2019/20 season there are 90 principal roles – 24 of which are filled by current Harewood Artists and seven by former participants of the scheme.

Claire Barnett-Jones studied at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In the 2019/20 Season, she will be covering in ENO’s production of The Mask of Orpheus, Madam Butterfly and Rusalka.  Claire makes her ENO debut in our 2020/21 season.

John Findon studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, before further study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has previously appeared in ENO’s production of Hansel and Gretel as “The Witch” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and also covered in the world premiere of Jack the Ripper: The Women of Whitechapel. In the 2019/20 season John will be performing the roles of ‘Remendado’ in Carmen and the ‘Gamekeeper’ in Rusalka.

Claire said: ‘Being an ENO Harewood Artist is an absolute dream come true and I have already benefited hugely from the fantastic guest and in-house coaching and advice from all the staff here.”

John said: “Being an ENO Harewood Artist will allow me to work with some of the most distinguished coaches and singers in the UK. ENO is one of the most prestigious opera companies in the world, and to perform on one of the most iconic stages in London as part of English National Opera will be an amazing opportunity.”