Helen Williams, soprano
Click here to see a picture and official biography
Helen Williams sang the role of Sophie in an extract from Der Rosenkavalier in the ENO Gala. It was a really lovely performance, and a real shame she only performed once. The Primi Divi first saw Helen as the Second Niece in the ROH’s brilliant production of Peter Grimes (which really needs to be revived soon), and have since seen her as a very strongly characterised Queen of the Night for the ENO.
Helen Williams was born in Merseyside, and began her musical career as a clarinettist. She studied singing at the Royal Northern College of Music. She joined the Glyndebourne Chorus, and later sang Sashka The Electrification of the Soviet Union, Emmie Albert Herring and Micaela Carmen for Glyndebourne. Other roles include: Marzelline Fidelio, Tytania and Helena A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tytania The Fairy Queen, Adina and Gianetta L’elisir d’amore, Eurydice and Amor Orfeo ed Euridice, Dalinda Ariodante, the title roles Rodelinda, Alcina and The Cunning Little Vixen, Musetta La boheme and Ines Il trovatore. Recent engagements include Avril in the world premiere of Love Counts.
She has also performed with Scottish Opera, Opera North, Netherlands Opera, Raymond Gubbay and at the Buxton Festival.
In concert, Helen has sung in Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Christmas Oratorio, and the St John Passion.
Reviews
Avril Love Counts, Almeida Opera - The Stage (David Gutman)
Queen of the Night The Magic Flute, ENO - Online Review London (A. C. Grayling) -
Second Niece Peter Grimes, ROH - Classical Source (Richard Whitehouse) -
Micaela Carmen, Glyndebourne Touring Opera - The Spectator (Michael Tanner)
title role Rodelinda, Opera Theatre Company - New York Metro (Peter G. Davis)
Helen has made the following recordings:
Donizetti: Gianetta L’elisir d’amore (Chandos)
Vaughan Williams: Second Medium The Poisoned Kiss (Chandos)
Verdi: Giovanna Ernani (Chandos)
Verdi: Inez Il trovatore (Chandos)
Cunning Little Vixen
primi-divi at hotmail.co.uk