I always say - if I found my way to opera, anyone can!

NATALIE BANYARD caught up with celebrated mezzo-soprano Amy J Payne, who plays the integral role The Old Woman in Welsh National Opera's Candide

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Acclaimed British mezzo-soprano Amy J Payne is making her debut with Welsh National Opera as the resilient and witty Old Woman in Candide.

Amy, who grew up in South Devon and is now based in Leeds, boasts an extensive operatic repertoire. Renowned for her strong and characterful stage performances, and described as one of the best comprimarios on the circuit, Amy has worked with companies across the UK including Opera North, Scottish Opera, English Touring Opera, Garsington Opera, Mid Wales Opera and Buxton International Festival. Amy, whose performance in Candide at Wales Millennium Centre last month was lauded as “extraordinary” and a “theatrical tour de force”, is looking forward to bringing the production to new audiences at The Bristol Hippodrome.

Did music and theatre play a big part in your childhood while growing up in Devon?

“Yes. Increasingly, the older I became. I started with my first instruments at primary school, thanks to a fantastic teacher (Mrs Chew!) and to Devon Youth Music service. By secondary school, I was playing in South Devon ensembles and then picked up further instruments and started singing lessons. The point is that in those days extracurricular music was subsidised, so there was far less of a financial barrier to getting started and progressing.”

And it was Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera that first ignited your passion for singing?

“Yes, my parents went on a coach trip to see the show in the West End and came back with the cast recording on double cassette tape and a glow-in-the-dark poster. I was hooked and spent hours memorising the whole show. I could still probably sing it from start to finish. I had no idea at the time that I would end up being an opera singer myself, but I think it served as a kind of introduction to the idea of it.”

What have been some of your personal career highlights to date?