Nina Kopparhed, soprano
Nina made her professional UK singing debut in November 2011, performing Mozart: Exsultate Jubilate with the Dunblane Chamber Orchestra, and has since been working as an oratorio soloist, recitalist and opera singer. Nina has given performances in England, Scotland, Sweden, Italy, Brazil and Bolivia.
Nina also has a passion for contemporary music, and recently performed as part of the world premiere of "Invisible Effect", written by Platon Buravicky, choreographed by Kirill Burlov. It was written for the Baltic100, and features contemporary ballet, accompanied by soprano, clarinet, cello and piano (and percussion, played by all of the musicians). It was performed at the Pleasance Theatre in September 2018. Recent premieres of song cycles include Anthony Esland's "The Amherst Chronicles" in 2019 and Neil Crossland's "Songs of Travel and Rest" in 2018, both at the Harrow Summer Music Festival..
Photo credit: Sussie Mellstedt
[Nina] and [Neil] did an amazing job! I'm very fortunate to work with such great musicians and advocates of new music
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Gala concert, Teatro Eleonora Duse, Asolo, Italy, August 2018 -
Ilia (Idomeneo), Rose Opera Oct 2019; Director: Michael Moxham; Conductor: David Roblou -
TimeZone Theatre's "A Night in Vienna", MAy-Jun 2017. Tenor: Aidan Coburn -
Nina as Ilia, Anna McLachlan as Idamnate; Rose Opera's production of Idomeneo, Oct 2019. -
Applause after the world premiere of Invisible Effect, Pleasance Theatre, September 2018 -
La Clemenza di Tito, Feb 2017, Kent Opera. Nina: Vitellia; Sesto: MArie-Claire OpTen Noort; photo by Melissa Stanton -
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TimeZone Theatre's "A Night in Vienna", May-Jun 2017. Baritone: Rene Bloice-Sanders -
Gala concert, Teatro Eleonora Duse, Asolo, Italy, August 2018 -
Nina as Olympia (Tales of Hoffmann), 2015 -
Gala concert, Teatro Eleonora Duse, Asolo, Italy, August 2018 -
Nina as Olympia (Tales of Hoffmann); Hoffmann: Mike Doroszenko -
Invisible Effect: World Premiere September 2018: Music: Platon Buravicky, Choreography: Kirill Burlov. for contemporary ballet, accompanied by soprano, clarinet, cello and piano (and percussion, played by the musiciand) Nina: Soprano soloist -
Nina as Die Konigin der Nacht: Essi Purhonen as Pamina -
Recital, St Paul's, Harrow on the Hill, July 2016. Pianist: Neil Crossland -
Nina as Die Konigin der Nacht (Die Zauberflote) -
Nina as Miss Wordsworth (Albert Herring, 2016 -
Recital, St Paul's Harrow on the Hill, August 2016. Pianist: Mark WIlson -
La Clemenza di Tito, Feb 2017, Kent Opera. Nina: Vitellia; Sesto: Marie-Claire OpTen Noort; Publio: Themba Mvula. photo by Melissa Stanton
Some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard!... Outstanding performances by Nina and Neil
The second half of the evening was a production of the Mozart medley A Night in Vienna. Set in the reception area of the Vienna Grand Hotel and including songs from Mozart’s most famous Operas: Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, Cosi fan tutte and The Marriage of Figaro.
Two men vie for the love of one woman and use all the tricks in the book to win her. Aidan Coburn, Nick Dwyer and Nina Kopparhed are all wonderful and the English libretto by Pamela Schermann is at times hilarious.
I particularly loved the updated Don Giovanni excerpt where his past conquests are revealed by scrolling through his Facebook! Brilliantly acted by all three performers and Aidan Coburn’s singing is so beautiful I was almost moved to tears.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Musical background:
Nina was a choral scholar (at Nacka Musikklasser) in her teens but then concentrated on her viola playing: she gained a BMus(Hons) and PGDip from the Birmingham Conservatoire, studying with Rivka Golani. During her studies, Nina took part in the CBSO Training Scheme and received a Young Cygnet Award.
Nina then worked for many years as a professional viola player: in the UK, Nina has freelanced with orchestras such as the RSNO and Scottish Ballet, as well as freelance orchestras such as the English Heritage Orchestra, English Festival Orchestra, Raymond Gubbay, Bampton Opera (Principal Viola) and many others.
Nina was also a keen chamber musician, playing with ensembles such as the Solaris quartet, the Britton Quintet, Permira Ensemble and the Midgard Ensemble (US based).
Nina's next appearance as a singer was in 2006 when she was working as principal viola with an orchestra in Brazil. During a tour of Bolivia the soprano soloist was taken ill on the day of a concert and Nina was asked to step in at the last minute, not having performed as a singer since her choral scholar days. Her performance was well received and she was asked back to perform several more times as a soprano soloist with the orchestra.
When Nina returned to the UK in 2008 she started having singing lessons with the internationally renowned soprano, Judith Howarth, all the time continuing her work as a freelance viola player.
Other previous teachers include Dr Nell Drew (Edinburgh) and Neil Howlett (London), and a MAsterclass with Deborah York (2020, through OPB).
Singe April 2020, Nina is having coaching sessions with James Black.
Singing Courses include the National Opera Studio (Opera intensive course, 2015), Hoxton Opera Studio (2016), Melofonetica intensive course in Italy (2018), and Opera Programs Berlin (2020): Historical Performance Program 1580-1750.
Nina still freelances as a violinist and viola player, mostly as a chamber musician, which she has always had a passion for.
Photo credit: Sussie Mellstedt