about
Esther Shea is a soprano from Jersey in the Channel Islands. She is currently based in London and is working professionally after graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music in the summer.
Her recent operatic roles include Nella in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi (Kleine Opera), The Fox in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen (RNCM), Ninette in Prokofiev’s L’amour des trois oranges (RNCM), Mrs Coyle in Britten’s Owen Wingrave (RNCM), Youka in Chabrier’s L’étoile (RNCM), and Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (Bedfordshire Youth Opera). She has also sung the roles of Elisabetta (Maria Stuarda), La Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro), Mimì (La bohème) and Ilia (Idomeneo) in excerpts. This summer she performed as part of the chorus in British Youth Opera's production of Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress.
She looks forward to performing the roles of Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème (Kleine Opera) and Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni (St Albans Chamber Opera) early next year.
Esther graduated with Distinction from her Master of Music at the RNCM, where she studied with Mary Plazas. During her time there, she won the RNCM Concerto Competition with her performance of Strauss' Vier letzte Lieder, the Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the Singing of Strauss, and the Williams Howard Award. Her studies were generously supported by the Sybil Tutton Opera Award, the Dame Eva Turner Award, the LHR Foundation and the Riga Heesom Award.
As a concert soloist, Esther’s performances include Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem, Haydn's The Creation and Mozart's C Minor Mass, among others. This autumn, she will sing Strauss' Vier letzte Lieder as a guest artist with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra and the Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra.
A dedicated recitalist with a particular interest in creating unique and meaningful programmes, Esther was selected to join the RNCM Songsters, where she refined her interpretation of song repertoire. She has performed at the Buxton International Festival as part of the Colour My Song recital series, as well as in recitals across the North West and beyond.
Esther continues to study privately with Jane Highfield. Across opera, concert, and recital work, she is especially drawn to repertoire that is emotionally powerful and intellectually challenging. Esther brings a warmth and dedication to all aspects of her performances.
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