“With her juicily plump mezzo, Jessica put in a star turn as Baba the Turk” (Opera Today).
Scottish Mezzo-Soprano Jessica Ouston concluded her studies on the Opera School at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2021 under the tutelage of Professor John Evans. She was recently a Quarter Finalist in the prestigious Elizabeth Connell Prize International Singing Competition in 2024. She has enjoyed being a visiting cover artist for English National Opera for a variety of roles such as Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte and Daughter 6 in Akhnaten.
She recently enjoyed being an Alvarez Young Artist with Garsington Opera, covering the role of Driade in Ariadne Auf Naxos. Jessica enjoyed the experience of being a Jerwood Young Artist at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2021, where she made her main stage debut as Feklusa in Katya Kabanova and covered the role of Varvara.
She has since sung the role of Second Bridesmaid in Le Nozze Di Figaro, covered the role of Baba the Turk for Glyndebourne Tour and covered the role of Jacques in The Wreckers by Ethyl Smyth for Festival 2022.
During her time on the Opera School, she performed the role of Zanetto in Mascagnis Zanetto, and Ninetta/Smereldina in an online production of Doves’ The Little Green Swallow.
The past few years have seen her take the stage on a variety of different platforms, including concert, recital and opera productions. She has performed the roles of Baba the Turk in The Rake’s Progress (British Youth Opera and the Southbank Sinfonia), Countesses Maid in Le Comte Ory (Dorset Opera) and Mrs Charlton in the UK premiere of Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking (BBC SO) in addition to Guildhall Opera Scenes, where she has performed the roles of Mistress Quickly, Florence Pike, La Perichole, and Driade.
Jessica has also been heard at the Barbican for their Pre-LSO Platforms, with performances of Russian Song and Zemlinsky lieder. She has also performed at Wigmore Hall for Prince Consort’s Side-by-Side project, collaborating with fellow artists Alisdair Hogarth and Anna Huntley. She has also appeared as a soloist for Durufle’s Requiem and Elgar’s Sea Pictures and Music Makers.
Jessica also enjoys collaborating with fellow classical artists George Toudica (pianist) and Charlotte Hoather (soprano) as a member of the Brooklea Trio, performing a variety of song and opera repertoire both classical and contemporary.
She has a particular interest in the more dramatic repertoire with composers such as Wagner and Verdi.
Photo: Mary Freeman
