Cork singer: I thought opera would be boring... I adore it!

CORK native Niamh O’Sullivan has sung on stages across Europe, performing in illustrious productions alongside some of the foremost conductors and orchestras of the age.

The Douglas woman is only 29 years old and has already enjoyed an almost decade-long career as an opera singer.

A mezzo-soprano, Niamh has been praised for her bewitchingly beautiful, dark, vibrant voice, and has performed on stages in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and more.

She studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin under Veronica Dunne before joining the Opera Studio at the Bayerische Staatsoper from 2016 to 2018.

Since then, Niamh has graced stage after stage across Europe, making a name for herself on the global opera scene.

Speaking to The Echo, Niamh explained how she caught the performing bug at a young age, and how that led her to a career where she performs epic operas on stages across Europe.

“Well, it all started with musical theatre,” she said. 

I caught the performance bug once I started drama and musical theatre classes.

“I was around 10 years old. I spent four to five days a week doing classes in dance, singing, drama and I couldn’t get enough of it.

“I then started doing solo singing competitions at Feis Maitiú under the guidance of the beautiful Mary Hegarty, who was my first singing teacher, and I was involved in various productions with my stage school.

“However, my voice always had a classical edge to it and so I decided to take the classical route eventually,” Niamh added.

“Initially, I thought I would think opera is boring but I had to do it because that was where my voice was taking me, but little did I know that I would become an opera fanatic!

“I was hooked once I started with Veronica Dunne in Dublin at The Royal Irish Academy of Music at the age of 19.

It was really then, through my intensive training and with the guidance from ‘Ronnie’, that I decided I could probably make a career out of this.

“I worked hard with ‘Ronnie’ for three years and was then accepted onto the young artist programme at The Bavarian State Opera in Munich at the age of 21. Since then, I’ve been very fortunate to have this as my full time career.”

Niamh explained that one of the most exciting things about her job is that there is no typical day or week.

“I could be either working on a new production or learning music for a role or an upcoming concert or recital,” she said.

“When working on a new opera production, it’s a very intense period, usually with six weeks of rehearsals, including the final week where we rehearse on stage with the set, and costumes/hair/make-up and orchestra are added in usually the last three to four days.

“That final week of rehearsals before opening night is usually the most structured part of my job,” she added. 

Every hour of technical rehearsals is organised in absolute detail to make sure we are all set for the opening night.

“If I’m not working on a production or don’t have a performance, I like to spend as much time as I can resting in between practice.

“Rest is absolutely key to be able to maintain this career and to keep the voice healthy.

“If I’ve a day off, I like to laze about in my pyjamas all day, do some practice, eat some junk food, and allow myself to have a day where I don’t do much.”

In the 2022/23 season , Niamh performed the roles of Charlotte Werther at the Irish National Opera, Mirza Lalla-Roukh with Wexford Festival Opera, Mercédès Carmen at English National Opera, and Second harlot in Handel’s Solomon with the English Concert. She also took part in the Académie du Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.

In the 2023/24 season, Niamh sings Wellgunde in the new Barrie Kosky production of Das Rheingold at the Royal Opera House; and Wellgunde in both Götterdämmerung and Das Rheingold, and Mercédès Carmen at Opernhaus Zürich.

She also makes her role debut as Carmen at the Buxton Festival.

Having enjoyed some amazing moments on stages across Europe this season alone, Niamh said it was hard to pick just one highlight from her career, but that there is one moment that certainly stands out.

“I’ve had such an exciting season with many highlights, but one that stands out in particular was making my main stage debut at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden,” she said.

“I sang the role of Wellgunde in Wagner’s Das Rheingold in a new production by Barrie Kosky and conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.

It was a very special moment for me and one I will cherish forever.

Niamh was speaking to The Echo from her temporary home in Zurich, Switzerland, where she is performing in Bizet’s Carmen and Wagner’s Ring.

“I have performances here until mid-June and then I head to the Buxton International Festival to sing Carmen in Peter Brook’s adaptation of La Tragedie de Carmen.

“I’m also looking forward to recording Mahler’s Rückert Lieder with the BBC Symphony Orchestra next month,” she said.

When asked who she most enjoyed portraying on stage, Niamh responded: “My favourite role to date has been Charlotte from Massenet’s Werther. [It was] vocally and emotionally unbelievably satisfying and I’m looking forward to singing this role again in the future, I hope!

“I’m really looking forward to singing Octavian in Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier soon,” she added.

For 2023 to 2025, Niamh has been named a BBC New Generation Artist, during which time she will have opportunities to debut at major recital venues, including the Wigmore Hall, and partake in several recording projects.

“It is a massive honour to be one of BBC’s New Generation Artists,” Niamh said. “It’s very important to me to incorporate as much concert and song repertoire into my career as possible alongside opera.

“I’ve always felt storytelling has come quite easily and naturally to me and there’s no more satisfying way to do it than to tell stories through song in a recital context.

“No costume, no set, no orchestra - just the voice and piano and an intimate audience. It’s very special,” she added.

“As a BBC New Generation Artist, I get to build strong relationships with the BBC orchestras and also get a lot of studio time to record whatever I like.

I feel it’s a great time to really explore my artistry through a wide range of repertoire.

Although Niamh enjoys her time travelling to various European cities and performing on hallowed stages with the cream of the crop in terms of conductors, directors and orchestras, she said there are certain things she does miss about Ireland.

“In general, I miss the people when I’m away - there is no-one like the Irish.”

Being from Douglas, it felt only right and proper to ask Niamh about one of the most important things for a Douglas native - her KC’s order.

“KC’s is my absolute favourite,” she said.

“My order is a King Creole with extra mayo and a Chicken Bombay!”

For more information on Niamh and her upcoming performances, go to https://askonasholt.com/artist/niamh-osullivan