With a view to preparing my vocals and stagecraft in advance of my album launch, I met Susie Parkes today, an award winning opera singer who has sung numerous soprano roles internationally. Susie very conveniently lives in my road in SE London and I have arranged a series of sessions in the coming weeks. I was immediately struck by her in-depth knowledge and skills. Susie frequently gives guest vocal masterclasses and has lectured on women composers, contemporary opera and the interpretation of English Song for several years at Oxford University.
She has also given vocal masterclasses, outreach projects with major orchestras, including London Philharmonia and regularly sits on audition panels. Her opera roles have included Contessa (Le Nozze di Figaro), Cio Cio San, Kate Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Erste Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Fiordiligi (Cosi Fan Tutte), Fedon (Satie’s Socrates), Kätchen (Werther), Ida (Die Fledermauss), Ines (Il Trovatore), Leonore (Fidelio), Michaella (Carmen), Olga (Merry Widow) and Santuzza (Cavalleria Rusticana). All performed with companies such as Opera Holland Park, Opera de Baugé (France), Classical Opera Company, Opera London, Charles Court Opera, Enharmonia Lirica (Italy) and the English Opera Singers.
Her stage highlights include performances at Sadler’s Wells, Bath International Festival, the Buxton Festival, Salzburg International Festival, the Lindbury Studio Covent Garden and tours in Europe, Hong Kong, Africa and Australia.
