About
Laura
About Laura
Irish 'Rising Star' (UCH Limerick 2026) Laura Aherne is a member of the Irish National Opera Studio and a masters graduate of the Royal College of Music, London, where she studied with Professor Janis Kelly and Bryan Evans, and was the recipient of the Joseph Clover Scholarship. Laura's recent projects include covers of Vixen in The Cunning Little Vixen and First Wood Nymph in Rusalka with Irish National Opera. In the INO showcase of Absolute Scenes, Laura performed as Fiordiligi (Cosí fan tutte) and Berta (Il Barbiere di Siviglia).
In 2024, Laura made her debut with the Wexford Festival Opera, where she was a member of the Wexford Factory. She made her house debut to critic acclaim at the National Opera House as Nedda in Pagliacci. With the festival, she also performed the roles of Adina and Giannetta in Donizetti's Elixir of Love, the year's community opera. With a "voice to watch over the coming years", Laura was also there awarded the Danone Young Outstanding Female Artist Award. Returning in 2025 she went on to perform the roles of Corinna (Il Viaggio a Reims) and Tytania (The Little Midsummer Night's Dream)
Laura made her professional opera debut in 2022 with Opera Collective Ireland as Tweedledee and Brat 1 in Will Todd’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. She also performed in their production of Handel’s Semele, in collaboration with the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and Sestina Music, directed by Tony Award winning director Patrick Mason and conducted by Christian Curnyn. Other opera roles include Philadell in Purcell’s King Arthur (Royal Irish Academy of Music), Fiordiligi (RCM Opera Scenes), Agatha in Smetana’s The Two Widows (RCM Opera Scenes), Susanna in Wolf-Ferrari’s Susanna’s Secret (RCM Opera Scenes), and Rozmene in Handel’s Imeneo (RCM Opera Scenes).
Her concert performances include the British premiere of the Ina Boyle Song Book in St. Marylebone Anglican Church, and regular performances of the Irish National Anthem at McGovern Park in London. In 2023, Laura was awarded the Brackaville Bursary for Vocal Students by Irish Heritage after auditions at the Wigmore Hall. With Irish Heritage she has performed in recitals at the Royal Overseas League, Leighton House, and at the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. In 2025, she was also a competitor in the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition.
Laura completed her undergraduate degree in the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Professor Mary Brennan and Dr. Dearbhla Collins, where she graduated with first class honours.
This season, Laura continues as an Irish National Opera Studio Artist, covering the role of Micaela in Carmen.
