Carmel de Jager is an Australian mezzo-soprano living in London. She specialises in early music, performing oratorio, opera, in recital and as a consort singer throughout Europe.
Upcoming engagements include Beethoven's Fidelio (chorus) with the London Philharmonic, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski, at the Royal Festival Hall, StJohn's Passion (solos) with Dei Gratia Baroque Ensemble and Mozart's Requiem with Gabrieli Consort in Spain. Most recently, Carmel has performed with Gabrieli Consort at the Festival de la Chaise Dieu, the female chorus for Vivaldi's Juditha Triumphans with the Venice Baroque Orchestra directed by Andrea Marcon, Bach's Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn (solos) with the Choir of St James (Sydney), and for numerous film and television recordings with London Voices.
Other recent engagements include A Bach Portrait, in the Deal Festival, under the direction of John Butt and in association with the
Academy of Ancient Music, Confessions, a collaboration between the Portrait Choir and director Andy Staples, Alexander's Feast for the Richmond Choral Society, Messiah with Dei Gratia Baroque Ensemble, Haydn's Nelson Mass and Jenkin's An Armed Man with the West Sussex Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, a recital of lieder at the Victoria and Albert Museum and Bach's Easter Oratorio with the Guildhall Consort under the direction of Eamonn Dougan and Pavlo Beznosiuk.
Since arriving in the UK, Carmel has sung for the London Bach Society, the London Handel Festival, with Musicke in the Ayre, the Portrait Choir and Eboracum Baroque. Carmel deputises for several London church choirs and is a deputy Youth Leader for the London Youth Choirs.
As a soloist, concert works have included Steffani's Stabat Mater , Haydn's Nelson Mass, Mozart's Alma Dei Creatoris, Dominican Vespers and Missa Brevis, Bach's Lobe den Herren and Mass in A, Handel's Dixit Dominus, Messiah and Alexander's Feast.
Before moving to London Carmel was a regular guest of several Australian ensembles including The Song Company, Thoroughbass, Pastance, Cantillation, Collegium Musicum and Symphony Australis. An experienced chorister, Carmel sang in several choirs throughout her schooling before joining the Sydney Philharmonia Choir and later being accepted into their chamber choir. Most recently she sang with the Choir of St James.
Operatic roles include Junon and Hyale in Acteon (Charpentier), Cupid in Venus and Adonis Una Damigella in Alcina (F. Caccini), Miss Todd in The Old Maid and the Thief (Menotti), Berta in The Barber of Seville and Ernestina in Opportunity makes the Thief (Rossini).
Carmel studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is currently undertaking a Masters of Music (Performance) at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
