biography

Valda Wilson (soprano)
[English/ Deutsch]

Soprano Valda Wilson is a member of the Junges Ensemble der Semperoper Dresden. Valda attended the National Opera Studio London as the recipient of Opera Foundation Australia’s prestigious Rockend Scholarship in 2008-9. She holds a Science Honours degree from Sydney University and a Diploma of Opera from Sydney Conservatorium. During 2009 Valda Wilson was a finalist in the Concours de Genève International Singing Competition and a semifinalist in Placido Domingo’s Operalia International Competition. She has been awarded the 2011-12 Marten Bequest Scholarship for Singing. Her voice teachers and coaches include Stephen Yalouris, Sharolyn Kimmorley, Yvonne Kenny, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lillian Watson and Christiane Hossfeld.

During her first season with the Dresden Semperoper, Valda performed Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte , Inez in Verdi’s Il trovatore, Jennie Hildebrand in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, ‘Judith’ in a modern production of Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas, Princess in Cesar Cui’s Der gestiefelte Kater (Puss in Boots) and the cover of Musetta La Bohème. This season she reprises these roles and adds the title role in Hartmann’s Simplicius Simplicissimus and the female lead, Mutter/Eichhörnchen/Magdalena, in the world premiere of Jakub Flügelbunt by Czech composer Miroslav Srnka.

Valda Wilson’s previous operatic engagements include Susanna Le nozze di Figaro (Weimar Volkstheater), Mlle Silberklang Der Schauspieldirektor, Adina L’elisir d’amore, Elsie The Yeoman of the Guard (London), Rosina Il barbiere di Siviglia (Opera Australia Touring Company). Other roles she has performed include Rosina La vera costanza, Geraldine A Hand of Bridge, Amore Paride ed Elena, Susan A Dinner Engagement, Norina Don Pasquale, Ilia Idomeneo, Manon Manon, Giulietta I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Cleopatra Giulio Cesare, Morgana Alcina, Aline The Sorceror, Mabel/Edith Pirates of Penzance, and Yum-Yum/Pitti-Sing The Mikado.

Valda Wilson’s oratorio performances cover many Bach Cantatas, including Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, Bach Mass in B minor, St Matthew Passion and St John Passion, Handel Messiah and Samson, Mozart Exsultate, jubilate!, Mass in C minor and Coronation Mass, Vivaldi Gloria, Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle and Australian Paul Paviour’s Mass of the Southern Cross. She was soprano soloist in the premiere of Australian Anne Boyd’s cantata Dreams for the Earth in the Sydney Opera House. Valda has several radio recordings, including Three Poems of Byron by Australian Graeme Koehne, and presented recitals in many prestigious venues.

Other recent highlights for Valda include singing Laodice in Hasse’s opera Il Siroe with Ensemble Serse for the 2011 London Handel Festival, Verein Opera Zurich Classic Night, Henley Festival recitals, the nationally televised and recorded Silvesterkonzert with Renée Fleming, and several Liederabend at the Semperoper.

Valda Wilson was chosen by Richard Bonynge to be the featured soloist at the Service of Thanksgiving for Dame Joan Sutherland at Westminster Abbey with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, under Antonio Pappano. She has been invited to join the Young Singers Project as part of the prestigious Salzburg Festival during July-August 2012.

(press)