Australian mezzosoprano Sophie Burns will perform as Zulma, Elvira’s slave and confidant, in the hilarious opera The Italian in Algiers by Rossini. The show opens the 2018-2019 Ópera de Tenerife season. She is the only singer from the Opera (e)Studio academy that is playing her role in all four performances to take place at Sala Sinfónica del Auditorio de Tenerife between 25 and 28 October.

Burns, born in Melbourne (Australia) and trained at the Monash and Melbourne universities, made her debut aged 20 in Italy, playing the role of Stabat Mater by Pergolesi. She then went on to sing on stages across Europe and Australia, performing in operas, concerts or competitions. The singer, who received an Elizabeth Luxton grant from Berlin Opera Academy, has never been to Tenerife although she highlights that “the nature of the island, the privileged by the sea location of the Auditorio and the interesting productions made”. She is “proud to sing in this company and in such an incredible place”, she also said she feels “honoured to join their ranks”. 

Her coach told her about the academic Project Opera (e)Studio and encouraged her to take part in a “programme that works with the best of the best and allows young artists to reach a further step in their careers”. Appealing to the simile “this opportunity is what dreams are made of” Burns talks about what she considers to be “the chance to perform in one of the major opera houses in Europe”. Also, “I’m singing one of my favourite operas”, she said.

Burns wishes “to grow as an artist in all the capacities” in her next participation in Opera (e)Studio and she hopes to “learn constantly through performance, the intensive study of my role, and the time shared with my colleagues”. To this aim, she trusts she “will be challenged every step of the way”.

Sophie Burns thinks that The Italian in Algiers is a “very funny” opera, defining it as a composition with “charming and impressive music to sing and experiment with.” She also points out that “the characters are rich and alive”, which means the audience will have “exceptional entertainment”. Regarding her role, she is certain that Zulma “has a strong personality, which also makes her be a schemer in the shadows.” She thinks that one of the main issues she could face when approaching the character “is portraying the nuances in her personality and her relationship with Elvira”. That is why she points out that it will be “a challenge to keep my energy up in order to deliver maximum quality in every single performance”.

As far as future projects are concerned, Burns states that one of her dreams is “to work in the best opera companies.” One of the roles she would like to play is that of Dalila, in addition to the “Italian repertoire”, as “it suits my personality and voice colour.”

The sixth Opera (e)Studio academy is starting in early September where thirteen singers will begin a process of comprehensive improvement. This initiative, directed by Giulio Zappa, will end with four performances of The Italian in Algiers, which will take place at Sala Sinfónica del Auditorio de Tenerife from 25 to 28 October.

The Italian in AlgiersThe Italian in Algiers opens the 2018-2019 season which includes the debut of Maximilian Nägele in Ópera de Tenerife. This new coproduction of Auditorio de Tenerife and Teatro Comunale di Bologna will have Giorgia Guerra as stage manager. The plot develops in the surreal atmosphere of a spa located in late 1980s Algiers and characters are dressed with the colourful, funny costumes of that period.