Barbadian Classical Singers Receive Support from British Opera Singer Melinda Hughes for International Opera Success

Three talented Barbadian classical singers are about to get a boost in their quest for the world’s big opera stages through the efforts of British opera singer Melinda Hughes.

Tenor Nathan Richards, bass baritone Fernando Watts and soprano Shantal Martin, who have all had varying levels of exposure outside of Barbados and have also been getting some tutelage, mentorship and performance opportunities locally from Hughes, are scheduled to be heading off to the United Kingdom and Germany where Hughes plans to assist them further with their journey.

She is especially excited about the prospects for 31-year-old Richards whom she described as “my most important mentee”.

“We are invested in kick-starting Nathan’s operatic path to success by paying for his flight to London, a six-week opera course, accommodation and private singing lessons from July to September 2025. This will prepare him for a round of auditions in the autumn,” Hughes said.

She added: “Nathan needs further vocal coaching, lessons in stage technique, languages and repertoire to get him to the standard required for international young artists programmes.” Observing that “tenors are rare”, she expressed confidence that “with specific mentoring, he has a huge career ahead of him”.

Richards’ performance was received with rousing applause from the audience when he appeared first in the 2023 edition and again in the 2024 edition of Hughes’ Allstars Festival, a sold-out event incorporating opera, comedy and cabaret, at Hayman’s Market in St Peter.

Hughes told Buzz: “When I take Nathan to London and I introduce him to my coaches and people who are friends of mine who now run opera companies or who are in important positions, I know that they are going to be excited to hear him . . . . I want to get him up to a level where he can audition for the National Opera Studio or for the Royal Opera House Young Artists Programme.”

For the “exceptionally talented” bass baritone Watts, who is at the beginning of his career, the trip to Germany, which has been organised for him, represents another significant step in his journey.

Germany’s Opera Studio Weimar offers singers training in building the skills they need to get hired and work in Germany. The Barbadian sang at the Studio last year and recently was offered two roles this summer – Frank, in “Die Fledermaus,” an operetta composed by Johann Strauss and Bartolo, in “Le nozze di Figaro.”

Hughes said the Studio “offers unique opportunities to work with top directors, conductors and coaches,” and noted Watts’ performances “will have agents and scouts in attendance”. She also disclosed there was a scholarship being offered “for tuition and accommodation,” but cautioned this was not guaranteed. While in Germany, Fernando can also audition for agents, festivals and opera houses.