A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the University of Cambridge, soprano Rachel Thomas's interests span opera, contemporary and ensemble music and dance.

 

Operatic performances include Ida (Die Fledermaus) with Clyde Opera, Marzelline (Fidelio), Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel), Ilia (Idomeneo), Constance (Dialogue des Carmelites), Iris (Semele), Rose (Lakmé) and Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro) in opera scenes (RCS, Oxenfoord International Summer School), roles in Dido and Aeneas at the Panicale Musica Insieme Festival, Italy and in operettas by Gilbert and Sullivan (Cambridge Arts Theatre, the Minack Theatre, Cornwall), and ensemble in The Fiery Angel (Scottish Opera/RCS), The Day After (English National Opera/RCS), Agrippina (RCS) and Aleko (St John’s Smith Square). 

Recent highlights on the concert platform include the premiere of a new work at the Plug Contemporary Music Festival, a recital in the Westbourne Church series, work with the Dunedin Consort (Handel's Samson; Bach's St Matthew Passion; Arvo Pärt's Passio) and Nevill Holt Opera (Christmas Choral Classics; Handel's Messiah), and solo oratorio performances around the UK, including performances of Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G Minor at St Martin in the Fields and St John’s Smith Square, London, the Yehudi Menuhin School, Surrey and the RCS. She has performed as a soloist live on BBC Radio 3 and on CD recordings, and has given the premieres of several contemporary works. She currently studies with Patricia MacMahon and Elizabeth McCormack.

 

In addition to Rachel's work as a singer she is a qualified ballet teacher for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Manager of Glasgow Cathedral Festival, and Social Media Manager for the Frederick Ashton Foundation.