Voice notes: Victoria Oruwari on disability and opportunity in classical music

For soprano Victoria Oruwari, music and color are inseparable. In this episode, Victoria shares what it's like to experience music through synesthesia, how she discovered singing after losing her sight at seven, and the reality of building a career as a musician with a disability - from performing at the Royal Opera House to the barriers still facing disabled artists. This is the second in a series of episodes we’re bringing you in collaboration with Classically Black, a festival taking place on October 10, 2026 at King’s Place in London. Learn more about Victoria’s panel here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/classical/classically-black-full-day-pass/ The excerpts included in this episode, courtesy of Victoria Oruwari, are: Romance de Mignon by Henri Duparc, Song to the Seals by Granville Bantock and Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal by Roger Quilter. Performed by Victoria Oruwari, accompanied by Rianka Bouwmeister. --- About Victoria Oruwari Acclaimed soprano Victoria Oruwari is a British-Nigerian singer whose versatile repertoire covers art songs, operatic arias, musical theatre and folk songs. She acquired her Bachelor of Music degree and postgraduate in Voice at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She has since pursued a career as a classical singer and has performed at various prominent venues in and out of the United Kingdom, including The Royal Opera House, the Barbican, Wigmore Hall and Bristol Beacon. She is a member of the British Paraorchestra and the Inner Vision Orchestra. In addition to singing, Victoria is also a humanistic psychotherapist and works in private practice. Victoria’s website: www.victoriaoruwari.com Follow Victoria on Instagram: www.instagram.com/victoriaoruwarisoprano/ --- About Classically Black Now in its third year, Classically Black is a festival redefining what classical music looks and sounds like today. The programme celebrates and elevates Black and global majority musicians and composers in classical music, past and present. Curated by Black Lives in Music, Classically Black 2026 returns to Kings Place, London on Saturday 10 October 2026. Learn more about Black Lives in Music: https://blim.org.uk/ Follow Black Lives in Music on Instagram: https://instagram.com/BlackLivesinMusic Get tickets for Classically Black: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/black-lives-in-music-presents-classically-black/ --- Connect with Made for Us Show notes and transcripts: https://made-for-us.captivate.fm/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/madeforuspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeforuspodcast/