EARLIER this year, 24-year-old classical soprano, Laura Wright, stopped halfway round her London Marathon run to sing a soaring rendition of Jerusalem on Tower Bridge.
Although impressive, the singer's aliases ‘The Sporting Soprano’ or the ‘Soprano with Strength’ were earned long before she ran and sang on that 26-mile stretch.
When I go to the gym or right before I play rugby, I listen to something emotive and adrenaline pumping. For me that’s classical music delivered in a different way – and that’s something I wanted to create myself.
Wright, considered a glamorous opera 'pin-up', a 'classical crossover' star and one of the 'biggest selling classical artists in the UK this decade', is also a passionate rugby player and used to being somewhat of an oxymoron.
Laura Wright "somewhat of an oxymoron". (Photo credit: espnscrum.com)
The singer boasts career credentials that surpass her youth. Singing for the Queen at her Jubilee celebrations would be a notable highlight, as would becoming the England Rugby team's first official anthem singer. Wright also sang at the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Triathlon Series in 2013 - and competed in the event herself, naturally.
Following the launch of her EP and new album, Laura Wright is to perform at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall with Paul Potts on Friday 24 October.
What can we expect from your upcoming performance at The Bridgewater Hall?
It’s very exciting for me to tour with Paul Potts and perform at such a wonderful venue – one of my favourites - I performed there previously with Alfie Boe. It’s basically a chance to start performing new music from my new album out in September.
Can you explain the concept behind your new EP ‘The Sound of Strength’? What does strength sound like?
Yeah, it takes a little bit of explaining I guess.
I’ve trained in classical and opera for five or six years and I’ve absolutely loved classical music since I was a little girl. But my other passion in life has always been sport and fitness, so it became clear that I should incorporate the two loves together. That’s where this EP and new album is heading. When I go to the gym or right before I play rugby I listen to something emotive and adrenaline pumping. For me that’s classical music delivered in a different way. That’s something I wanted to create myself.
You’re working with Dan Vinci, a producer that's previously worked with rapper Snoop Dogg. Interesting. Was the intent to bring classical to the commercial world?
It’s clear we’re all into mixing genres. If you look at Pharell, for instance, who mixes incredible orchestral scores in with his music, that scene is really exciting and pioneering. I think film music is going that way too.
What came first – the singing or the sport?
When I was younger it was the sport, I was really competitive. When I first discovered classical, it opened up a whole world of music I didn’t really know about. From then on, sport really took a backseat. It’s been great to put the two together for a job.
She's also known as 'The Scrummy Soprano'
You’ve accomplished so much. What’s been your highlight?
I think over the past two years I’d say singing at Westminister Abbey for the Queen’s Commonwealth speech. The song we recorded became the Queen’s official jubilee anthem.
Then Twickenham for an England game when we beat New Zealand – a pretty rare occasion.
You're young, attractive, and have been championed as a ‘pin-up’. Are you comfortable with that?
It’s important that I’m seen as comfortable with the way that I look, but also incredibly passionate about fitness and being strong. I feel strongly about empowering women and making them feel that strong. I know there’s a lot of pressure in the spotlight to be a certain size.
For me, it’s very much about 'strong is the new skinny'. Strength is a really beautiful attribute.
The Soprano with Strength (Photo credit: Itv.com)
Do you find women to be scared of rough and tumble sports like rugby?
When I started playing rugby I was absolutely petrified, but it was always a sport I wanted to try. I found it opened me up to lots of new friendships, confidence, as well as being part of a new team.
I see my body as an instrument and my voice as an instrument. I’m proud of the way that I feel and want to feel healthy. But obviously I want to go out on stage and feel sexy and feminine when I sing. And I think that’s still possible.
In a world that’s so obsessed with fitness, I think it’s very important that women go about it the right way.
I try to be a positive role model in that way.
Musical role models?
When I was younger I actually started singing with my eldest brother – he’s a massive inspiration to me. I love strong, female icons such as Beyoncé who is feminine but also such a powerful role model. In classical, I would say Nicola Benedetti the classical violinist, as I think she does great things for female performers. For singers, I'd say Anna Netrebko and Billie Holliday who has such an incredible voice.
Would you ever branch into the commercial world?
It’s very tempting, yet I know where my vocal sound fits and I know my voice suits early and pure classical sounding music. I think this is a completely new genre that I’m trying to create in that sense. Rather than following someone else’s footsteps I wanted to create this new genre that works for me and for the sporting world.
Classical music will always be my first love and I like to try and push it as far as the boundaries will go.
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Laura Wright will be supporting Paul Potts at The Bridgewater Hall October 24. Visit Laura Wright's website here.
