May 31st - June 9th

Galway Early Music Festival 2024

Edges of Empire

Eleanor Leadbetter

Court and Countryside: Dancing and Singing Together

Artist Biography

Growing up in the North East of England, Eleanor was immersed in choral singing from an early age, performing with various local groups and eventually becoming a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, with whom she sang and recorded regularly over an eight year period. Eleanor has continued to sing in choirs ever since, as well as undertaking solo engagements including performing alongside acclaimed counter-tenor Michael Chance in Handel's Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne in Norwich Cathedral, recording a modern interpretation of Allegri Miserere for Henry Jackman, and playing the part of Second Fairy in Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream for the Manchester Camerata in the Bridgewater Hall.


Since moving to Ireland in 2015, Eleanor has performed regularly with several local groups, including Collegium, Vox Orbis and Cois Cladaigh, singing in concerts in the Early Music Festival on several occasions. In 2018, Eleanor became part of the committee which set up the Oranmore Arts Festival, eventually taking the job of music coordinator for the festival in 2019.

Alongside singing, Eleanor homeschools her two daughters, as well as running her own business, making and selling handmade bags and accessories at local markets and fairs.

other performers»