Valerie Masterson CBE, FRCM, HON.RAM

Valerie studied at the Royal College of Music where she was awarded the Queen’s prize for the most outstanding student of the year and a Countess of Munster award to study singing in Milan. She made her concert debut in the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts whilst still a student. Her operatic debut came a year later at the Landestheater in Salzburg.  She has sung in all the major opera houses of the world, made many recordings and appeared on television and radio. She was awarded a CBE in 1987, a Fellow of the Royal College of Music in 1993, a R.A.M in 1994 and a Doctor of Letters by South Bank University in 1999. She is also a Vice-President of British Youth Opera, The Rossini Society of Paris, and many other groups. 

Valerie is best known to G&S fans for her time with the D'Oyly Carte from 1964-9 and then her guest appearances up until 1981.  She has recorded a large number of the soprano roles and many feel her Mabel in particular has never been surpassed.  For some years she appeared with 'G&S for All' with Tom Round and Donald Adams travelling across the country and abroad. Despite having an international career in Grand Opera, Valerie never forgot her G&S roots.