Simone is a mezzo-soprano, music theatre-maker and joint artistic director of Hera, passionate about work that brings joy, and respects, reflects and affects the world we live in.

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She has been commissioned to make music and stories for the English National Opera, Immersive|LDN, Royal Opera House, Soho Theatre, West Green House Opera and many more. Recent highlights as a performer include Grace in Bryony Kimmings’ To Mother, Alone for BBC4; Jo in Summerhall award-winner Dead Equal; Annie (cover) in Theater an der Wien’s Porgy and Bess; and Esther (workshop) in Mamzer for the Royal Opera House. She is a BBC Radio 3 Next Generation Voice, Pegasus Opera artist, Black British Classical Foundation associate artist, sometime English National Opera chorister, and Women of the Future awards 2020 finalist. She is also a published playwright.

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Hera celebrates and shares unheard music and stories by equity-seeking artists right across the UK. Recent work includes new musical starring Maria Friedman, The Trojan Women; interactive electronic opera starring Victoria Oruwari, We Ask These Questions of Everybody; and workshops on the amazing hidden women of opera from 1600 to the present day.

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She trained at the University of York, on the Creative Access internship scheme, and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she is now a Junior Fellow focusing on artist-activism.

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She is thrilled to be returning to the Leicester MusicFest family this year.

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simoneibbettbrown.com

wearehera.co.uk