Welcome to the
Vivien & Peter Beckwith
Young Musicians’ Trust
Advancing the education of pupils in music in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy
Aims of the Trust
The Beckwith Young Musicians’ Trust aims to help and foster the talent of young artists through the award of bursaries, scholarships, prizes and grants primarily through the established Opera platforms and to individual students.
The Trust provides support for artists as they progress from studying at a musical academy to performing at major international opera houses.
the Trustees
Peter Beckwith OBE is the founder of the Vivien & Peter Beckwith Trust.
Vivien McLean Beckwith presents regular concerts at her house in Chelsea to raise money for Students and young graduates from the London Conservatories such as The Royal College and Royal Academy of Music. Living between Italy and the UK Peter and Vivien are passionate about supporting future generations of Opera professionals providing cultural connections between Italy, the UK and Ireland.
British-Australian Bass Baritone and lawyer Leslie Macleod-Miller operates with a range of cultural organisations in the UK, and hosts salons and concerts to support young artists at his Mansion Flat in Westminster. Leslie continues his family’s tradition of celebrating creativity by supporting and following young artists of quality.
Application Process
Each year the Beckwith Young Musicians’ Trust will consider applications from opera houses, festivals, academies and students to support programmes that develop young artists with exceptional potential.
Applications should be made in writing and will be considered by the Trustees on a quarterly basis.
News & Social Season Events
- Beckwith Trust Supports CLIP 2024 International Opera Singing Competition and Global Programme for Young Lyrical Artists
- Opera Holland Park 2024 Summer Festival and Young Artists Scheme
- Beckwith Trust Supports Garsington Opera Festival 2024 and Alvarez Young Artists Studio
Supported Recipients
Fondazione Mascarade Opera
Florence
Mascarade Opera Studio is the leading independent training and performance institution for singers and répétiteurs in the world. The programme is the an international gold standard for all Young Artists Programmes and Opera Studios.
Rossini Opera Festival
Pesaro
The Rossini Opera Festival, instituted in 1980 by the town council of Pesaro with the intention of backing up and developing, by means of theatrical performances, the scientific work of the Rossini Foundation: this has given birth to a unique multi-disciplinary workshop of applied musicology, aiming at the revival of all Rossini’s lesser-known works through musicological research, theatrical performance and publication.
CLIP Portofino, Concorso Lirico Internazionale of Portofino
Portofino
CLIP is an international opera singing competition that takes place in Portofino with the aim of discovering and supporting young talents.
Supported Artists
Gemma Summerfield
Soprano
Gemma graduated from the Royal College of Music International Opera Studio and continues honing her craft across a wide range of repertoire.
Anna Patalong
Soprano
Growing up in Britain, Anna has garnered critical acclaim across Europe for her “powerful and dark-hued soprano” – Opera Magazine
Lauren Fagan
Soprano
“Fagan, one of today’s finest young sopranos, is exceptional throughout and a superb actor.” – The Guardian
Testimonials & Supporters
“And then as now, people like Peter, Vivien and Leslie who through The Beckwith Trust give young artists the chance to make their dreams come true, are recognized for the magnificent work they do. Today as Artistic Director of Wexford Festival Opera, I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their Passion and support, which gives our young artists the wings to fly.” – Rosetta Cucchi, Artistic Director, Wexford Festival Opera
“Thanks to the Beckwith Trust for Young Musicians, Salon Opera has flourished. Their support has been instrumental in nurturing our young artists, providing them with the opportunities and encouragement needed to reach new heights. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and generosity.” – Adam Dickson, Artistic Director, Salon Opera
Scholarship application
Each year the Trust will consider applications for young artists with exceptional potential.