Julia sang with the choir during its Mozart’s Requiem and Schubert’s Mass in C concert in March 2006.

Julia Riley was born in York and studied at the Royal Academy of Music. She was then awarded an Entrance Scholarship for the Royal Academy Opera Course where she trained with Noelle Barker and Ingrid Surgenor. While at the Royal Academy Julia received rave reviews for her portrayal of Prince Charming in Massenet’s Cendrillon. “Julia Riley’s unforced and ample singing was the prime vocal pleasure.” Richard Fairman/The Financial Times/March 2005.

In December 2005 Julia made her Glyndebourne on Tour debut as Cherubino/Le nozze di Figaro. She recently made her Scottish Opera on Tour debut as Mezzo soloist with Essential Scottish Opera. In Glyndebourne Festival 2005 Julia performed Jonathan Dove’s mezzo song cycle All you who sleep tonight, with pianist Andrew Smith. This formed part of the Jerwood Chorus Scheme and was the first performance in the Glyndebourne Jerwood Studio.

Other opera roles include Bridesmaid/Le nozze di Figaro/Glyndebourne on Tour, Prince Charming/Massenet/Royal Academy Opera, Ino/Handel/British Youth Opera, Medoro/Handel/Dartington, Tisbe/Rossini/Opera East.

Oratorio and concert performances include Christmas Oratorio/St James’ Piccadilly/English Baroque Orchestra, B Minor Mass/London Bach Festival, Mozart/Requiem/St-Martin-In-The-Field, In the beginning/Copland/Southwark Cathedral, and Les nuits d’été/Berlioz/Penzance Orchestral Society. Future plans include understudying Dorabella in the 2006 Glyndebourne Festival.