Elizabeth McCall

Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth McCall is a singer, songwriter and composer who loves collaborating with artists across genres, finding the unique space where musicians with different voices can connect. 

Elizabeth performs regularly with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as part of their Learning program, primarily working with new commissions by composers including Paul Rissmann, David Lang, and Glyn Lehmann. She delights in inspiring and encouraging children to sing and discover a love of music. 

Elizabeth originally trained in classical voice at the Elder Conservatorium, furthering her training in opera in the UK and undertaking the English National Opera’s training programme The Knack under Mary King. This led to principal roles with touring UK opera companies, and she now performs regularly with the State Opera of South Australia and Festival Opera, including The Nightingale and Other Fables (2024), The Golden Cockerel (2022), Hamlet (2018), and Verdi’s Requiem (2023). 

She has performed in new works at the Royal Opera House (Mr. Purcell: His Ground by David Knotts) and as part of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Other notable performances include contemporary sacred works by Julian Ferraretto, performances for King Charles III and Queen Camilla (then Duke and Duchess of Cornwall), and recordings at Wigmore Hall for compositions by Elspeth Brooke as part of the BBC Proms. 

Alongside her classical work, Elizabeth has recorded music for film and theatre, including the soundtrack for Life in a Day with music by Matthew Herbert, recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Her passion for new music has seen her cross into other musical genres including her own songs, bringing together classical and folk influences. Recorded in London, the album Two Different Paths (available on iTunes) features some of London’s top session artists and includes string arrangements by her husband, fellow Elder Conservatorium alumnus Julian Ferraretto. Elizabeth has also performed her own works with string quartet in concerts at the Elder Hall and has performed with artists including Eska (Mercury Prize nominated 2015) and Rebecca Hollweg. 

While in London, Elizabeth was Head of Learning for Wigmore Hall where she produced and led an award-winning learning and community program reaching 16,000 people each year. Her commissions included a new community opera Woodwose by composer Kerry Andrews (shortlisted for a 2014 British Composer Award), featuring Andrew Kennedy as narrator. Bringing this experience back home, Elizabeth has developed community musician development programmes in partnership with Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and is now the Director of Chamber Music Adelaide where she regularly supports artists in collaboration. 

Elizabeth has also worked extensively in community arts, supporting the creativity of non-professional artists through her involvement in the Lullaby Project and as a project leader working with refugees and asylum seekers in London through the St Michael’s Community Renewal Project.