Elizabeth Atherton, soprano
Elizabeth Atherton was the excellent Donna Elvira in Welsh National Opera’s Don Giovanni. The Primi Divi first saw her a few years ago when she was the soprano soloist in The Really Big Chorus’ performance of the Creation. The Primi Divi were members of the Chorus. Elizabeth is now an Associate Artist with WNO. The Primi Divi saw her as Pamina last year, replacing Rebecca Evans in Birmingham, and as an outstanding Countess Le nozze di Figaro in Milton Keynes in the spring.
Elizabeth studied at Trinity College Cambridge and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Although her voice is gentle and lyrical, and she does sing that sort of music extremely well, it is in the comedic roles in which she is truly exceptional. Even her Countess is extremely funny. As a student, she performed roles including Concepcion L’Heure espagnole, Ilia Idomeneo and Alcina. Other performances include: Helena A Midsummer Night’s Dream (English Touring Opera, Thibault Don Carlos (WNO) and Valencienne The Merry Widow (Wimbledon Light Opera Society). She has also covered Caroline The Fairy Queen (ENO), and performed scenes from Yevgeny Onegin as Tatyana.
Until recently, Elizabeth’s focus seems to have been on the concert hall. She has sung in works including the Messiah, Bach’s B minor Mass, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Bach’s Magnificat, and sang Tippett’s The Vision of St Augustine at the Proms last year. Her recitals have also been very well-received. She has sung at the Purcell Room, the Linbury Studio and the Wigmore Hall. Plans include Minerva Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria and Micaela (WNO).
Click here to read Elizabeth’s official biograhy on the Harlequin website
Reviews:
Don Giovanni (WNO) Donna Elvira – Miranda Rose and Martin Ambit, Daily Information Oxford
Le nozze di Figaro (WNO) Countess - Richard Morrison, Times
Don Carlos (WNO) Thibault – Catriona Graham, The Opera Critic
The Magic Flute (WNO) Pamina – Serena Fenwick, Musical Pointers
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (ETO) Helena – Roderic Dunnett, Independent
Recordings:
Liszt: Missa Choralis and Via Crucis
Various: English Choral Favourites
Cunning Little Vixen
primi-divi at hotmail.co.uk