Join us at The Sherborne for the launch of Young Stars of the South West, a new artistic platform celebrating exceptional musical talent from across the region, while creating opportunities for emerging young performers.
Set within the inspiring surroundings of The Sherborne’s Pavilion and gardens, this special summer evening brings together internationally respected artists, gifted students and audiences of all generations for a performance shaped by music, storytelling and shared discovery.
Conceived in response to Of Myths and Murals, The Sherborne’s summer season featuring works by Mat Collishaw and The Baron Gilvan, the programme draws on themes of mythology, transformation, disguise and desire across both visual art and music.
The evening will feature Grammy Award-winning British bass-baritone Neal Davies, alongside baritone and pianist William Drakett, with young musicians from Wells Cathedral School.
One of Britain’s leading bass-baritones, Neal Davies has performed with English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, the BBC Proms and major orchestras across Europe and North America. He won a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording for Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd, and is also a professor at the Royal College of Music, where he helps train the next generation of singers.
William Drakett studied organ and harpsichord at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire before training as a singer with Prof. Konrad Jarnot at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf. He was previously Organ Scholar and Acting Assistant Organist at Portsmouth Cathedral, where he played for numerous broadcasts and recordings, before working as a répétiteur and vocal coach in the Vocal Department of the Robert Schumann Hochschule.
William now lives in Wells, where he is Head of Vocal & Choral Studies at Wells Cathedral School and a Vicar Choral at Wells Cathedral. Alongside these roles, he maintains an active career as a baritone, performing in concerts and recitals across England and Germany, with a particular love of the art song repertoire.
Potential repertoire for the evening includes scenes and arias from Tannhäuser, The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni, alongside lighter selections from Gilbert and Sullivan. Together, these works echo the spirit of the evening: myth, metamorphosis, love, wit and theatrical transformation.
Education, mentorship and engagement sit at the heart of The Sherborne’s charitable mission. This event is designed not only as a performance, but as an invitation: to encounter remarkable musicianship, support young talent, and experience the arts as something alive, generous and shared.
Make an evening of it at The Sherborne: explore the House and galleries before the performance, then stay on as the celebration continues into the gardens with canapés.
Saturday 11 July | 6pm
Location: The Pavilion and Gardens
Tickets: £20 | Includes performance, welcome drink and canapés
Dress: Summer evening/garden party
Please read our Booking Terms before completing your purchase. Tickets are refundable up to 48 hours before the event start time. We are unable to offer refunds within 48 hours of the event or for non-attendance.
What to expect
Join us at The Sherborne for talks, performances, workshops and special events in the remarkable setting of Sherborne House. Please arrive in good time, especially for popular events, as seating is usually unallocated and offered on a first come, first served basis.
Where possible, our team will be on hand to welcome you, direct you to the event space and answer any questions.
Need to know
Refunds: Tickets are refundable up to 48 hours before the event. We are unable to refund cancellations made within 48 hours of the event start time.
Seating: Seating is not allocated unless clearly stated. Please arrive early if you would like a particular seat.
Access: The Sherborne has disabled access. Please let us know about any access requirements when booking, or contact us before your visit.
Arrival: Late admission may not always be possible, depending on the event.
Dietary requirements: For events involving food or drink, please tell us about any dietary requirements when booking.