Three young artists discuss their drive to succeed ahead of ROH’s staging of The Lighthouse.

“My father was raised on a farm in rural Australia and here am I one generation away working at Covent Garden in London, one of the world’s leading opera houses.”

Greg Eldridge is one of three talented young Australians currently part of the Jette Parker Young Artists Scheme at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. One of the press officers leads me through a maze of corridors over several floors and into a small meeting room to say my first hello to this remarkable trio. Greg is working as a director and Emily Edmonds and Lauren Fagan as singers.

Their journey to Covent Garden has had as many twists and turns as my short route from the stage door and you soon realise how much each has sacrificed in time and effort to be there and given complete dedication to their work. They are a long way from home but all are driven by a desire to succeed.

It is remarkable how many talented people Australia exports to the international opera world. The level of training and the work ethic instilled into them is impressive. These...