Edel Shannon, soprano

Originally from Sligo, Edel Shannon began her vocal studies at the Academy of Music, Dublin, with the late Irene Sandford before completing the Opera Masters programme at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, under the tuition of Pat Hay. Some operatic roles include Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Galatea (Acis and Galatea), Oberto (Alcina), Eternita (La Calisto), at the RSAMD and Christina in Glyndebourne's new production of Tangier Tattoo by J. Lunn in Glyndebourne On Tour 2005. Oratorio performances include Haydn's Creation, Handel's Messiah, Gounod's Messe Solenelle and Vivaldi's Gloria. Awards she has gratefully received include the Ireland's Fund Award from the West Belfast Bursary, the Ye Cronies Award for Opera, RSAMD, and the JTH Award, RSAMD Trust. At present Edel is understudying the role of Tytania in Sir Peter Hall's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Glyndebourne Festival Opera where she has also covered the role of Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro) with Glyndebourne on Tour 2005 and Papagena (Die Zauberflöte, also with GOT 2004) and Glyndebourne Festival Opera 2005. Earlier this year she toured with Essential Scottish Opera, as the soprano soloist, performing in and around the western isles and east coast of Scotland. Edel will be joining Glyndebourne again this autumn to understudy Despina in Cosi fan Tutte, GOT 2006.