LINDA HIBBERD  - (Mezzo-Soprano) was born in London, studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and made her professional operatic debut as Giovanna Rigoletto with English National Opera. Other early roles included Ursula Beatrice and Benedict, Maddalena Rigoletto, Third Gentleman Julietta, Curra Forza, Flora La Traviata and The Third Lady Magic Flute.

For English National Opera she has also sung: Waltraute Die Walkure, Zita Gianni Schicchi, Auntie Peter Grimes and Katisha Mikado.

For Opera North she has sung Mistress Quickly Falstaff, and premiered both Agnes Caritas - recorded by Collins Classics - and Beatrice Lacy Rebecca.

For Scottish Opera, Glyndebourne, City of Birmingham Touring Opera, Lyric Opera of Dublin and Holland Park Opera, roles have included The Kabanicha Katya Kabonova, Azucena Trovatore, Amneris Aida, Suzuki Butterfly and the Starenka Jenufa.

Abroad Linda has sung in Italy : Ericlea Ulysses - Monteverdi,and The Old Woman King Priam - Tippett; In Israel: Zulma Italian Girl and in the Far East: Marcellina Figaro and Katisha Mikado. Concert performances have included Verdi's Requiem and Britten's solo cantata Phaedra in Singapore, and Ravel's Scheherezade for the Australian Ballet.

Concerts in the U.K. have included Beethoven's Choral Symphony (Halle Orchestra), Messiah (Huddersfield Choral Society), Verdi's Requiem (English Sinfonia), Elgar's Sea Pictures (Aldeburgh Festival) and Villa-Lobos' Yerma (QEH - Lontano).