Full circle for incoming British Youth Opera Chief Executive

British Youth Opera (BYO) is welcoming back a familiar face as soprano ANNA PATALONG becomes its Chief Executive.

Patalong was a BYO participant as a young singer, making her the first leader of the opera with experience of its training programmes. She has since gone on to a successful international career, working with BYO as a development consultant in 2019.

She will lead on planning and training programmes and work on initiatives for young professionals.

"When I first took part in BYO it was well before I knew much about opera as an industry, let alone a career, and without BYO I suspect my career in opera may not have taken off in the way it did," Patalong said.

"It’s that life-changing, career-focussing boost that I want to build on and expand at BYO, making a career in opera – as a singer, stage manager, costume assistant, designer or administrator – an accessible option for anyone who wants it."