Helen Winter - Soprano
Helen Winter was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Following her singing ambition she studied at Trinity College of Music, London, with Professor Susan McCulloch. After graduating, Helen was a member of the BBC Singers' ad hoc chorus whilst studying at ‘The Knack’, an Opera training course with English National Opera. Helen currently studies with Phillip Doghan (RAM) and is coached by Linnhe Robertson (GSMD).
Operatic roles have included Ninetta in The Love for three Oranges (Prokofiev) for English Pocket Opera; Musician in Manon Lescaut (Puccini); Apparition in Macbeth (Verdi), Barena in Jenufa (Janacek), Voce Interna in L’amore dei tre Re (Montemezzi), and Monterone’s daughter in Rigoletto (Verdi), all for Opera Holland Park; Musetta in La Boheme (Puccini) and Adele in Die Fledermaus (Strauss) in Spain for ‘Singing in Aragon’ with European Chamber Opera and Lucy in The Telephone (Menotti).
In 2008 Helen was a finalist in the Berlin Komische opera auditions. In 2009 she performed the roles of Barbarina (in English with Opera Brava) and Susanna (in Italian with Candlelight Opera) in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro; Helen sang Barbarina again with Opera Brava in summer 2010. In early 2010 she appeared as one of the professional opera singers in the ITV series Popstar to Operastar, performing alongside Mexican tenor Rolando Villazon.
Alongside her operatic career Helen has a wide experience performing operetta and music theatre. Having been brought up in a very musical household she has been on the stage performing in Gilbert & Sullivan and Rogers & Hammerstein productions since the tender age of six. She continues to enjoy performing in this style and was the principal soprano at Thursford Christmas Spectacular in 2008 and 2009. Most recently Helen performed with the Buxton Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company in their 2010 festival production of Yeomen of the Guard.
Recital and Concert work regularly takes her abroad. She has performed most of the major Oratorios and has had the pleasure of working with conductors including Nicholas Cleobury (Britten Sinfonia), Mark Elder (Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment), Nigel Morley (Boston Sinfonia), Peter Robinson (City of London Sinfonia) and Stephen Jackson (BBC Symphony Chorus). Helen has performed in many prestigious venues as a soloist, such as Saint Thomas Kirche (Leipzig), The Royal Festival Hall (London), Symphony Hall (Birmingham) and St. David’s Hall (Cardiff), amongst others.
In 2010, Helen was the soprano soloist for Mendellsohn’s Elijah in Birmingham and Mozart’s Coronation Mass in East Finchley as well as recitals with harpist Eleanor Turner. In early 2011 she performed a recital of Rachmaninov songs and in April 2011 she sang Bach’s St John Passion in Solihull with the Solihull Chandos Choir and The Sinfonia of Birmingham and then in Coventry Cathedral with Saint Michael’s Singers and ESO Chamber Orchestra. Also in 2011, Helen performed operatic arias in a promenade concert at St John's Church, Grantham (June 2011) and with Viva Live Music for "Opera at the courtyard" at 51 The Courtyard, Buckingham Gate (June - July 2011). She recently sang Strauss' Four Last Songs with Richmond Orchestra and conductor Philip Hesketh (November 2011).
Forthcoming engagements include singing the soprano solos in Mendelssohn's Elijah with conductor John Gibbons and the Lord Williams Festival Chorus (December 2011).
REVIEWS
“The work had grandeur and seriousness....and one sudden indication of genius: the soaring, star-like opening to the Agnus Dei by soprano Helen Winter created an abiding memory.”
Ken Carter (The Archer, Nov 2010)
“Miss Winter’s perfect balancing of beauty and drama struck me as close to ideal, a highly competent and devoted rendition of a ferociously difficult score, which convinces me that we’re here dealing with a young talent that will – and deserves – to go far in the fiercely competitive field of classical and contemporary singing”
Poul Ruders (Composer)
“Helen Winter’s beautiful soprano voice really did soar in On Mighty Pens, The Mighty Eagle Proudly Soars then mimicked with the woodwind the lark, the ‘cooing’ dove and the nightingale. The lightness and joy in her singing suit this work well”
Boston Standard (April 2008)
“Helen Winter combined the roles of Gabriel and Eve, singing with refreshing sweetness and, when called upon, with a coyness that some female soloists tend to miss.”
David Grant (Birmingham Review on The Creation)
“Helen set the hall ringing with songs.........that demonstrated the range, colour and clarity of her voice and her technical precision.”
Richard Adams (The Journal, Jan 2008)
“Helen Winter was the soloist in a performance of Elgar’s Sea Pictures in last Saturdays concert, with the Boston Sinfonia in St. Boltoph’s Church, Boston, Lincolnshire. A young singer with an absolutely beautiful voice, pure, warm and with very little vibrato. She delivered the songs with real warmth and understanding.”
Boston Standard (Nov 2005)
“How wonderful to hear such a pure and exciting voice from a young English singer”
Siegburg newspaper
“Helen Winter is the possessor of the most beautiful Soprano voice. She had a purity of tone and a versatility reminiscent of the great Soprano Isabel Bailey. She is a remarkable singer”
Diana Feilden (Gloucester Cathedral)
“Ms Winter captivated the audience by her very accomplished presentation”
Kent Arts & Whats On