Pinchgut Patter with Catherine Carby

October 2026

Welcome back to Pinchgut Patter, our monthly feature where we introduce the exceptional artists and creatives bringing our productions to life.

This month, we're delighted to catch up with Pinchgut favourite mezzo-soprano Catherine Carby.

What have you recently been up to?

This year has been hectic and a big year for travel. I started the year in Milan singing in Walküre for La Scala, then was straight back to ROB, Covent Garden for Mayerling in the spring. During the UK summer in May/June, I sang Brangäne in Tristan at Longborough Festival in the Cotswolds, then flew to Adelaide to sing the roles of Mother and Witch in Hansel and Gretel for State Opera of South Australia. When I finally got home again and had a chance to see my family, we went and had a beach holiday on Corfu and drank lots of cocktails, which was delightful and much needed!

What are you most excited about in this upcoming Production?

I think I’m most looking forward to working with all the lovely people at Pinchgut, including my friend David Webb, who is making his Australian debut. I hope you all love him as much as I do! I have sung for Pinchgut a number of times in recent years, most recently as Medée in the Charpentier Medée, and have loved it every time. I always enjoy working with Erin and Neil as they are such great artists and genuinely nice people.

Is there a particular moment or piece of music you’re especially looking forward to performing?

My favourite moment of this opera to sing is probably the aria “Iris hence away” but I’m looking forward to all of it because it’s such awesome music.

What’s your pre-show ritual?

My usual preshow ritual involves eating a big carbohydrate meal in the late afternoon, and having a nap! When I arrive at the theatre I do some vocal exercises and then like to do my own make up if possible. At the half hour call I am usually to be found tidying my lipstick and listening to some Crowded House in my dressing room.

What is your favourite way to spend a day off?

My favourite way to spend a day off if it were sunny would be to be in my garden all day, maybe having some gluten-free cake and a cup of tea after I’d weeded the borders. If it were raining, my favourite way to spend the day off would be walking about a garden centre and eating gluten-free cake with a cup of tea.

What’s your go-to coffee order?

My go-to coffee order is always a soy latte which is getting more and more difficult in the UK as most places only offer oat or pea as an alternative. Blergh…