Irena Sylya

“IRENA SYLYA’s theatrical daring is downright startling…commanding the stage and the score,” proclaims the Los Angeles Times; and is "truly fascinating both vocally and theatrically," states the Volksstimme, Magdeburg, of her performances in the title role of the American and German premier of Thomas Ades’ new opera Powder Her Face.

Her World Premiere of Berthold Goldschmidt’s BEATRICE CENCI was acclaimed in the Feuilleton of the Hannover Allgemeinen as “once again the highlight of a very exciting musical evening [Irena Sylya’s aria 'Time' in the second act].” As Turandot, the Neue Merker in Vienna finds her “sure and uncompromising in her role of the ice princess. Dramatic soprano, Irena Sylya, with her brilliant high notes and warm well-carrying lower register, portrayed a Turandot we could truly experience as a real woman.”

Irena Sylya made her European debut in the Pergolesi Stabat Mater in Naples, Italy, with the RAI orchestra which immediately gained her critical acclaim for her “warm, rich tone. She interpreted the role in all its shining nuances.” (Il Mattino, Naples)

Her performance of KUNDRY in PARSIFAL, for the Bregenz International Richard Wagner Music Congress was highly praised: “Ms. Sylya possesses a brilliantly shining dramatic voice, which easily soars over the orchestra. Her superb, dramatic interpretation of “Kundry” encompassed all the emotions from sinner to penitent.” (Kultur, Bregenz).

Ms. Sylya’s international career includes performances of KOSTELNICKA in JENUFA in Tel-Aviv, Verdi’s REQUIEM in Kassel, GEORGETTE in Puccini’s IL TABARRO for Texas Public Television. She prepared her first ORTRUD in LOHENGRIN with Sir Charles Mackerras for the San Francisco Opera.

While still in the United States, Irena Sylya was selected for the ACOT award for dramatic interpretation for her performance as MAGDA in Gian Carlo Menotti’s THE CONSUL. Her first professional engagements in the United States were as a soloist with the Houston Chamber Singers where her repertoire included Finzi’s IN TERRA PAX (for soprano and baritone), the world premiere of Shickele’s OEDIPUS TEX , Britten’s A CEREMONY OF CAROLS and Copland’s IN THE BEGINNING.

Ms. Sylya trained as an oboist and continued her musical studies when she was awarded a vocal scholarship by Birmingham Southern College where she obtained a Bachelor of Music Degree. She then won a scholarship for and completed her Master’s Degree in Voice and Opera Performance at the University of Texas. She was given personal tuition by Elena Nikolaidi, Astrid Varnay, and Elizabeth Colson. She studied drama with the Actors Institute of New York..