biography

Valda Wilson (soprano).

Valda Wilson was born in Sydney, Australia. She grew up in the bushland suburb of Castlecrag and on the family grazing property in the Upper Hunter mountains. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science (Hons1) by the University of Sydney in 2004 before completing a three year Diploma of Opera at Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2008 she moved to London to study at the National Opera Studio on Opera Foundation Australia’s Rockend Scholarship. Her voice teachers and coaches include Stephen Yalouris, Sharolyn Kimmorley, Yvonne Kenny, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Lillian Watson. Valda recently relocated to Germany as a member of the Junges Ensemble der Semperoper Dresden for the 2010-11 season.

On the concert platform Valda has performed Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen and many other Bach Cantatas, Mozart Exsultate, jubilate! and Three Poems of Byron by modern Australian composer Graeme Koehne. She was soprano soloist in the world premiere of Australian Anne Boyd’s youth cantata Dreams for the Earth. Oratorio repertoire includes Bach Mass in B minor, St Matthew Passion and St John Passion, Handel Samson and Messiah, Mozart Mass in C minor, and Australian Paul Paviour’s Mass of the Southern Cross. Valda has presented numerous radio recitals and was a member of Pacific Opera’s 2008 Young Artist Program.

This year, Valda has played Adina in Riverside Opera’s London production of L’elisir d’amore, and Elsie in a London concert performance of The Yeoman of the Guard. Plans for the Semperoper Dresden 2010-11 season include Inez Il trovatore,  Spirit Dido & Aeneas, Princess Gestiefelter Kater and Jennie Hildebrand Street Scene. In 2009, Valda performed Susanna Le nozze di Figaro for the Lyric Opera Studio Weimar and Mlle Silberklang Der Schauspieldirektor for the National Opera Studio Showcase. From March through September 2008 she played Rosina in Opera Australia Schools Touring Company production of Il barbiere di Siviglia. Principal roles with Sydney Conservatorium Opera were Rosina La vera costanza, Geraldine A Hand of Bridge, Amore Paride ed Elena, and Susan A Dinner Engagement.  Other roles include Ilia Idomeneo, Manon Manon, Giulietta I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Cleopatra Giulio Cesare, Aline The Sorceror, Mabel and Edith Pirates of Penzance, Yum-Yum and Pitti-Sing The Mikado. Recent engagements include concert performances at Classic Night 2010 Verein Opera Zurich, the National Portrait Gallery, Henley Festival and St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.

Valda is a member of the Concordia International Ensemble and a Making Music 2010 artist. She reached the final rounds of the Concours de Genève 2009 International Singing Competition, and Placido Domingo’s  Operalia 2009. Before studying in the UK, she was successful in many Australian competitions, in particular, winning Opera Foundation Australia’s prestigious Rockend Scholarship and the Robert and Betty Salzer 2009 Award. Valda also appreciates generous financial support from the Australian Music Foundation, the Ian Potter Cultural Trust, the Tait Memorial Trust, the Opus 50 Charitable Trust, the Helpmann Family Trust, the Joan Sutherland Society and the Opera and Arts Support Group.

(press)

Valda performing with the Bourbaki Ensemble conducted by David Angell.