CLAIRE EGAN

Originating from Gisborne in New Zealand, soprano Claire Egan has been praised for exhibiting “a richness of voice with a glistening, shimmering quality that reveals great nuance in sound”. Renowned for her portrayal of Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata, Claire has had the privilege of performing the role on stages including the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, Vienna Festwochen, Theatre an der Wien and Longborough Festival Opera in the U.K.
Performing with companies including the English National Opera, Hungarian State Opera, Salzburg Festival, Opera North and Wexford Opera Festival, recent role highlights include Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni; Cordelia, Lear; Mrs. Fiorentino, Street Scene; Woglinde, Das Rheingold; Waldvogel, Siegfried; Konstanze, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Gilda, Rigoletto and The Babysitter, Between Worlds. During 2020 Claire was due the debut the roles of Cathleen, Riders to the Sea and First Niece, Peter Grimes - but these performances were cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Passionate about art song, this year Claire has recorded Schubert’s Der Hirt auf dem Felsen as part of the Positive Notes Autumn Recital Series, performed in concert at Asthall Manor, and in the 'Live at Lunch' series at the Royal Opera House. Claire was also due to perform as a soloist with the English Haydn Festival, but this has been postponed due to the Pandemic. On the concert platform performance highlights include Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Handel’s Messiah.
Claire trained at The Cardiff International Academy of Voice under Dennis O’Neill, and as an English National Opera, Opera Works Artist. Prior to this she completed a bachelor of performance voice at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia. Claire continues her studies privately in London with vocal coach Tony Legge.
Claire was a Solti-Te Kanawa scholar; a Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation grant recipient; and winner of the Dame Joan Sutherland Encouragement Award and winner of the Piero Boni competition in Italy. She has coached with artists
Claire began training as a classical singer in her mid-twenties after being discovered on the ABC television show 'Operatunity Oz' - before this she worked as a guitar maker and professional photographer.