University News Last updated 12 August
MMus student Justin Jacobs will be taking to the stage as Bob Boles in Phyllida Lloyd’s production of Britten’s Peter Grimes at Opera North.
The production opens in January 2026, and Justin secured the role following his performances of Bob Boles with The British Youth Opera (BYO) at Saffron Hall in Cambridge and Cadogan Hall in London this summer.
Justin auditioned for BYO’s summer programme earlier this year at RBC and London, where he was informed that he had been chosen for the role of Bob Boles in their semi-staged productions of Peter Grimes. Following the second show at Cadogan Hall, Justin was asked to cover the same role at Opera North.
Justin will enter his sixth and final year at RBC in September, and as a cover at Opera North, Justin will be expected to watch the principal artists rehearse on stage as well as to take part in his own cover rehearsals. In the event of the unexpected happening, Justin will be prepared to go on stage and perform the role.
Justin commented: “Thanks to the training I have received at BYO this summer and at RBC, I am fortunate to feel comfortable in taking this next step forward.”
Pictured: Justin as Bob Boles.