Jessica Gillingwater
Mezzo-Soprano
London-born mezzo-soprano Jessica Gillingwater enjoys a diverse career as a soloist, consort singer, and ensemble performer across the UK and Europe. She studies with David Pollard and Antonio Lemmo.
Recent operatic highlights include Eve in A Kind Man by Jonathan Finney, the Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas with the BBC Singers, and Lavinia in Dido’s Ghost with Dunedin Consort at the Buxton International Festival.
On the concert platform, recent performances include Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen with the Hertford Chamber Orchestra; Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’été and Berg’s Sieben frühe Lieder with the South East London Orchestra; Elgar’s Sea Pictures with the London Gay Symphony Orchestra; and Bernstein’s Jeremiah Symphony with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at Saffron Hall. Other notable appearances include Duruflé’s Requiem with Andrew Nethsinga and the choir of Westminster Abbey and Stephen Cleobury and the BBC Concert Orchestra at King’s College Cambridge, Copland’s In the Beginning with the Hugo-Distler-Chor Berlin, and Mrs Noye in Britten’s Noye’s Fludde conducted by Martyn Brabbins at Southwark Cathedral.
Jessica has a particular affinity for contemporary repertoire, with performances including Boulez’s Le Marteau sans maître and Ligeti’s Aventures and Nouvelles Aventures with the Psappha at Hallé St Peter’s.
An accomplished recitalist, Jessica’s repertoire includes Schumann’s Frauenliebe und Leben, Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder, and Britten’s Cabaret Songs, alongside programmes exploring the music of Fanny Mendelssohn, Medtner, Strauss, Brahms, and Mahler.
Her extensive oratorio repertoire includes Handel’s Messiah; Elgar’s The Apostles and The Dream of Gerontius; Bach’s St Matthew Passion, St John Passion, and Mass in B minor; Mendelssohn’s Elijah; Rossini’s Petite Messe solennelle and Stabat Mater; and Verdi’s Requiem.
Jessica is a member of EXAUDI, where she also serves as Finance Director on the executive team. She was a member of the BBC Singers for more than seven years until early 2025, and regularly performs with ensembles including RIAS Kammerchor, Dunedin Consort, Solomon’s Knot, The Carice Singers, London Choral Sinfonia, and The Marian Consort.
Leading mezzo-soprano
Holding the stage
Charlotte’s Aria from Werther (Massenet)
Portraying Charlotte, Jessica conveys tenderness, inner conflict, compassion and quiet strength. Her warm, clear and expressive tone combines strong legato singing and emotional nuance. Jessica adores the indulgence of French Romantic music as it is unapologetically sentimental and full of raw emotional power.
Leading lady
Jess demonstrates her power and strength in this performance of Delila’s aria, Mon court s’ouvre a ta voix - Saint-Saens.
Captivating the audience
Gerontius
Jess adores the power and serenity of this glorious English romantic masterpiece. Singing the Angel is one of her favourite oratorio engagements and one to which she has returned many times. This music moves from the highest drama to the most magnificent calm and is thrilling to perform.
Jess adores performing oratorio and is at home in the music of Bach as she is singing Verdi and contemporary canonical works. A excellent exponent of Elgar, she has sung the Music Makers twice this year and The Sea Pictures with Croydon Symphony Orchestra.
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