Edel Shannon

Soprano

Edel Shannon’s is the soprano voice for the Opera South Twelfth Night Celebration New Year Concert 2008.

Originally from Sligo, Edel Shannon began her vocal studies at the Academy of Music, Dublin, with the late Irene Sandford. She then completed the Opera Masters programme at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, under the tuition of Pat Hay. Her operatic roles include Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Galatea (Acis and Galatea), Oberto (Alcina), Eternita (La Calisto), at the RSAMD and Christina in Glyndebourne’s new production of Tangier Tattoo by J. Lunn in Glyndebourne On Tour 2005.

Edel understudied the role of Tytania in Sir Peter Hall’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Glyndebourne Festival Opera, where she also covered the role of Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro) with Glyndebourne on Tour 2005 and Papagena (Die Zauberflöte, also with GOT 2004) and Glyndebourne Festival Opera 2005. She also toured with Essential Scottish Opera, as the soprano soloist, performing in and around the western isles and east coast of Scotland. Edel joined Glyndebourne again to understudy Despina in Cosi fan Tutte (GOT 2006).

Edel’s oratorio performances include Haydn’s Creation, Handel’s Messiah, Gounod’s Messe Solenelle and Vivaldi’s Gloria. Awards she has gratefully received include the Ireland’s Fund Award from the West Belfast Bursary, the Ye Cronies Award for Opera, RSAMD, and the JTH Award, RSAMD Trust.