Mezzo-soprano singer Susan Bickley awarded honorary doctorate of music

The distinguished mezzo-soprano singer Susan Bickley was awarded an honorary doctorate of music by City, University of London at a graduation ceremony on Monday 22 January 2024.

Susan first began singing alongside her younger brother Graham in church choirs, trained by their organist father.

She studied at City, earning a Bachelor’s in Music in 1980, before joining the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her talent was noticed, earning her the Guildhall Gold Medal for singers. On leaving GSMD she joined the Swingle Singers.

Susan made her Royal Opera debut in London in 1991, singing the role of Fyodor in Mussorgsky’s opera Boris Godunow and went on to perform in ten further productions with the company. She also performed in more than 25 productions with the English National Opera, in roles such as Cassandra in The Trojans and and Fricka in Die Walkure.

She has performed with opera houses such as the Paris Opera, the San Francisco Opera and the Staatsoper Berlin, and in venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Wigmore Hall. She has performed at festivals such as the BBC Proms, Glyndebourne Festival and Salzburg Festival.

Her repertoire encompasses Baroque, nineteenth and twentieth century dramatic roles, with a particular interest in contemporary music. She is noted for the expressive nature of her performances and her considerable range.

In May 2011 she received the prestigious Singer Award at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards, the highest recognition for live classical music in the UK.

Honorary Rector, President, Vice President, graduands and supportive family and friends. Thank you for this honour!

I’ve had the great pleasure and good fortune to stand on this stage many times, usually dressed in an evening gown and holding a musical score. This feels very different and I’m thrilled to be asked to share your very special occasion.

My time at City began my musical journey and I also met my husband, Tony Castro, on the course. I’m delighted that he and our two sons, of whom we are immensely proud, are here today.

In many ways my career has not trodden the conventional path. I didn’t begin at City until I was 22. I didn’t join an opera course or a chorus, I did professional session singing for several years before turning towards stage work and more standard operatic and concert repertoire.

This is the message I would like to convey to you all today, whether writers, performers, practitioners: find your own way. Follow your instincts, your gut feelings, keep as many doors open as possible.

Quite often, the least lucrative and weird doors lead, not only to other things but to the most satisfaction.

Political situations worldwide undoubtedly have an affect on what we offer as artists, musicians and writers but we only have to look close to home to see how a TV drama can change the landscape, or how a concert of music in a war torn area can bolster morale to realise the importance of what we do.

The arts should foster tolerance, understanding and healing and we are relying on you and your creativity to pursue these aims, sometimes against the odds but always with the knowledge that you are passionate about what you do!

I wish you all the very best of futures! Thank you.