Olivia Whelan (Soprano Opera Singer)

Olivia Whelan is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning Soprano Opera Singer with over 30 years' professional experience performing worldwide with leading opera houses, major orchestras, world-renowned conductors, and appearing extensively on TV, Radio and Film. Celebrated for her sumptuous dramatic voice (spanning an impressive 3 ½ octave range), Olivia is recognised for her consummate musical artistry, exceptional vocal versatility and commanding stage presence. She has built an outstanding reputation as a compelling and distinctive artist across opera, classical music and the wider world of live performance and entertainment. Her latest album ‘Casta Diva’ received universal acclaim and was selected as a featured album by radio stations throughout Europe and Australasia. She was invited to be Opera Advisor for the international smash hit film ‘Quartet’, starring Dame Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly and directed by Dustin Hoffman. Olivia trained at Chetham’s School of Music, Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and Royal College of Music in London. She has won numerous awards and prizes including the Dame Eva Turner Singing Competition, Miriam Licette Award, Wingate Award and major scholarships from the Peter Moores Foundation, Countess of Munster Trust, Sybil Tutton Trust, Ian Fleming Trust, RNCM and RCM. She was the UK representative and finalist at both the Hans Gabor Belvedere International Singing Competition in Vienna and the Llangollen International Young Singer of the World. Her internationally acclaimed operatic roles include Fiordiligi (Cosi fan Tutte), Violetta (La Traviata), Tosca (Tosca), Mimi (La Boheme), Contessa (Le Nozze di Figaro), Mila (Osud), Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus), Gioconda (La Gioconda), and Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) which she has performed at leading opera houses, with major orchestras and at prominent venues across Europe, Russia, North America and Asia. Equally distinguished on the concert platform, Olivia has appeared to critical acclaim in recital throughout the UK (most notably at the Southbank Centre and Wigmore Hall), alongside successful international concerts in Canada, Europe, Asia and US. She was Guest Soloist at ‘Last Night of the Proms’ with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, critically praised for her performance of Beethoven’s notorious concert aria ‘Ah! Perfido’ under Maestro Vassily Sinaisky’s baton and her extensive oratorio repertoire includes Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Handel’s Messiah, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Mozart’s Solemn Vespers, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Rossini’s Stabat Mater and Petite Messe Solennelle, and Verdi’s Requiem. TV, Radio & Film credits include Radio 3 performances with the Halle Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall, ITV broadcast of Tippett’s ‘A Child of Our Time’ with Robert Tear and Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, and Radio 3 world premier live broadcast of Chateau de l’ame with Kent Negano conducting the Halle Orchestra. Alongside her performing career, Olivia is an internationally renowned Singing Teacher and Vocal Coach. Passionate about sharing her expertise, her students range from successful global stars of Opera, West End & Broadway, Pop/R&B and Jazz through to talented amateurs who love to sing. She is regularly invited to give public masterclasses and mentors various high-profile celebrity individuals in TV, Film and business supporting vocal technique, communication skills and personal impact.