ABOUT

Ruby Donnelly is a mezzo-soprano from Glasgow, now based in Manchester. She recently graduated with Distinction from the PGDip in Vocal Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she also completed her master’s degree, studying with Deborah Rees. She holds a First-Class Honours degree in Chinese from the University of Edinburgh.

Ruby is an accomplished operatic and concert performer. Recent operatic roles include Koukouli in Chabrier’s L’étoile, Sally in Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, and scene performances of Fanny Price in Dove’s Mansfield Park and Eunice in Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire. She has appeared extensively with the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, performing in Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, and Princess Ida, and returns in 2026 for Pirates, HMS Pinafore, and The Mikado. Earlier highlights include originating the role of First Parent in the world premiere of Henry McPherson’s Maud with Scottish Opera Connect, and performing in the chorus of Scottish Opera’s Edgar.

 

On the concert platform, Ruby has worked with leading ensembles and orchestras including The Hallé, Bundesjugendorchester, Manchester Contemporary Orchestra, the Tallis Consort, and SienAgosto. She has recently been engaged as the alto soloist in Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s Nelson Mass, guest alto in Monteverdi's Vespers, Steve Reich’s The Desert Music, Holst’s The Planets, and has appeared at the BBC Proms in Ligeti’s Requiem. She has also been a soloist in Bernstein’s Mass at Bridgewater Hall.

 

A prizewinner of the Peking University International Top Singer Competition and Highly Commended in the RNCM Bessie Cronshaw/Frost Brownson Song Cycle Competition, Ruby has a strong interest in contemporary music, ensemble singing, and multilingual repertoire. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, with conversational French and basic Italian and German.

CONTACT

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