About Us

Mezzo-soprano Lisa J Coates and pianist Graziana Presicce are multi-disciplinary artists who combine classical music in live performance with spoken word and visual art, as well as undertaking regular recital and outreach work. They champion the work of women composers, both historic and contemporary, and focus on making music accessible to all.  

​

The duo met towards the end of  2020 during a group interview on Zoom, for Mahogany Opera's Snappy Opera, which became their first project together. This has inspired their continuing interest in using music as a tool for social change; linking music to important themes.

​

They have performed as part of music series and arts exhibiitions including appearances at Sewerby Hall, Hull Minster,  Ferens Art Gallery, Humber Street Gallery, Freedom Festival, Howdenshire Music and Hornsea Music Series. In 2022 they were commissioned artists for Risky Cities' Flow of Words; a creative response to community writing on the topic of flooding. Since 2024, they have formed a core part of From Noah to Now; a research project led by the University of Hull, and funded by AHRC, exploring the use of opera as a means to engage communities with climate change. The first stage saw over 200 young amateur and professional musicians come together for performances of Benjamin Britten's opera Noye's Fludde.

​

Other outreach work includes interactive music sessions for dementia sufferers through music charity Lost Chord; freelance interactive performances aimed at primary and secondary- school children; creative music and art workshops; and song-writing workshops with composer Dawn Walters for Hull Maritime.

​

To find out more about their individual work visit grazianapresicce.com and lisajcoates.co.uk

​