One of Ireland's leading dramatic sopranos, Sylvia O'Brien has impressed audiences in her performances of opera, oratorio and chamber music.

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Since her critically acclaimed debut as the Governess in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw in 2004, Sylvia has performed numerous leading roles such as The Countess (Le Nozze di Figaro), Konstanze (Die Entfuhrung), Anne Trulove (The Rake’s Progress), Fiordiligi (Cosi Fan Tutte), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Jenůfa, and more recently the title dramatic roles in Tosca, Turandot, Lucia di Lammermor and Tristan und Isolde.

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​As a concert performer, Sylvia is a regular guest soloist with orchestras, chamber ensembles, recital halls and festivals throughout Europe. Her vast repertoire includes Chausson, Berlioz, Mozart, Bach, Verdi, Shostakovich and Wagner and the lighter repertoire of Strauss, Lehar, Novello and Gilbert and Sullivan. Sylvia’s oratorio repertoire highlights include Verdi’s Requiem, Mozart’s C Minor Mass, Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots, Dvořak Requiem, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle.

 

Recently awarded Doctor of Music from Trinity College Dublin, Sylvia is a member of the vocal faculty of the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she lectures in voice, specialising in French song, Lieder, contemporary vocal techniques and opera. She has previously held positions at Maynooth University, Ireland, Dublin City University and deputy position at Technical University Dublin as well as private consulting. She is also a member of Musicology Ireland presenting at conferences.

 

Sylvia acts as external examiner for all exam grades and instruments on the panel of Examiners of the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She is an active member of Society of Musicology in Ireland, presenting lectures on contemporary vocal music and vocal techniques and is regularly invited internationally to present masterclasses and adjudicate for vocal competitions. Sylvia has been awarded status as Artist-in -Residence on several occasions as well as presenting workshops for composers.