Summary
Laura Kathryn Wright (born 17 June 1990) is an English soprano. She is a classical-popular crossover singer who performs classical and operatic music, popular songs, musical theatre, and folk songs.
Laura Wright | |
|---|---|
 Wright about to perform the national anthem at Twickenham, 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Laura Kathryn Wright |
| Born | 17 June 1990 Framsden, Suffolk, England |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
Early life edit
Wright was born in Suffolk, and grew up in Framlingham. She won a scholarship to attend the fee-paying Framlingham College.
Wright has three brothers.
Career edit
Wright's first notable achievement, at 14, was as BBC Radio 2 and Songs of Praise's Chorister of the Year. She then went on to be a member of the group All Angels.
She has previously performed at men's and women's rugby matches at Twickenham.[1] Wright has been a regular at the NFL matches and has performed at Rugby League, The Carnegie Challenge Cup Final, WSB Boxing, polo, the Carling Cup Final, The Championship Play-off Final and the FA Cup Final. In April 2016, she performed at The Grand National and, in July, she was the official anthem singer at the British Grand Prix.. In recent years however she has been less visible in this role.[2]
In 2016, she wrote "Heroes"; the first official anthem of the England Women's Cricket team. She is also the first Ambassador for the Kia Women's Cricket League.
Wright performed at the opening ceremony for Prince Harry's inaugural Invictus Games where she debuted a new piece she wrote "Invincible", taken from her album Sound of Strength.[3]
Wright was the first mezzo-soprano to perform at the Olympic Stadium and has duetted with Donny Osmond for Children in Need.[3]
She was involved in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, via her song "Stronger as One". It secured a No. 1 chart position on Gary Barlow's Sing album.
Wright has trained to county level in hockey, netball, tennis and javelin.
On 10 September 2022, after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Laura sang a note-perfect rendition of "God Save the King" at the start of the third Test Match between England and South Africa at The Oval. This was the first time that version of the National Anthem had been officially sung at a sporting event in 70 years.[4]
Nominated for a Classical Brit Award, Wright went on to receive the PPL Classical Award at the Nordoff Robbins 02 Silver Clef Awards. Alongside her role as ambassador at Nordoff Robbins, Laura is an ambassador of Arthritis Research UK, having battled her own debilitating condition at a very young age. She is also an ambassador for SportsAid and for the Invictus Games.[3]
Discography edit
Solo (albums) edit
- 2011: The Last Rose (UK Albums Chart No. 24; Classical Charts No. 1)
- 2012: Glorious (UK Albums Chart No. 52)
- 2014: The Sound of Strength
With All Angels (albums) edit
- 2006: All Angels
- 2007: Into Paradise
- 2009: Fly Away
Featured Artist edit
- 2012: "Stronger As One" (Sing)
- 2014: "Don't Give Up" (The Soundtrack of My Life)
References edit
- ^ Tony Dewhurst (12 February 2015). "Laura Wright is different to most sopranos – she plays rugby which helps her 'escape' (From Lancashire Telegraph)". Lancashiretelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
- ^ Pilditch, David (18 February 2017). "Will Carling: Give National anthem the red card". Daily Express. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ^ a b c "Laura Wright Named Invictus Games Orlando 2016 Celebrity Ambassador". 27 April 2016.
- ^ https://www.sportbible.com/cricket/england-cricket-team-sing-first-official-god-save-the-king-2022091