Amelia Burns

I love opera, I love singing and above all I love being on stage disappearing and transforming into someone else. I am a determined ambitious singer who has always dreamt of having a successful career in opera. I have always had a passion for music, and even from a young age have had the desire to study and learn the art of singing. I began my classical training at Junior Trinity, followed by my Undergraduate training at Birmingham Conservatoire where I achieved a First Class Hons under the tutelage of Christine Cairns. It was during my studies that my love for opera really developed, as I was fortunate to work with world class conductors, directors and teachers. I played the role of The Cockerel 'The Cunning little vixen" I in David Blake and Keith Warners World premiere "Scoring a Century" both conducted by Lionel Friend and also gained invaluable experience from coaches such as Janet Haney and Prof Robin Bowman in the Opera scenes, playing roles such as Mabel The pirates of penzance, Yvette La rondine, Rosalinde Die Fledermaus, Susanna Le Nozze di Figaro and Despina Cosi Fan Tutte. Whilst studying I worked at Opera Holland Park as chorus for numerous productions and also played the part of the Sprite "The Fantastic Mr Fox" and Girl I "I gioelli della Madonna" and sang as part of the Christine Collins Young Artist masterclass with Anne Sophie Duprels. Working at Opera Holland Park was a fantastic opportunity and crucial to my development, taking part and witnessing a professional opera company throughout the rehearsal process through to the first performance. I have performed in workshops and as chorus for British Youth Opera. It was brilliant to work with enthusiastic and inspiring professionals, director Rodula Gaitanou and conductor Peter Robinson were an incredible team to work with in The Bartered Bride. Every production is a learning experience and I thrive on being surrounded by like minded musicians and relish every opportunity to learn from the top professionals in the world of opera.

I have always had the desire to learn a foreign language, so I decided to take the opportunity to explore the possibilities and advantages of studying abroad in Italy. I gained a place to study at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatorio Firenze in 2014 on the masters opera course, where I am currently studying with Soprano Ester Castriota. My time in Florence has been life changing, I have a much better understanding of the Italian language and the culture of music in Italy. I have learnt and continue to be learning a great deal about bel canto and what the Italians expect from their repertoire. At the conservatoire I have played the role of Ida "Die Fledermaus" at Teatro Maggio Musicale and also performed Pamina "Die Zaubflöte" and Giulietta I "Capuleti e i Montecchi". I was also awarded a position on the Amici della musica masterclass with Alessandro Corbelli. It was an invaluable learning experience for me to be able to perform and work on Italian repertoire with such a renowned baritone.
Recently I became a Britten-Pears Young Artist. I learnt an incredible amount from Thomas Quasthoff it was extremely invigorating and inspiring, especially to sing in the surroundings of one of my favourite composers.

I am extremely motivated in achieving my goals in furthering my career and I would love the opportunity to be part of Operosa. I want to be surrounded and immersed in the world of opera and to refine skills that I have learnt both theatrically and vocally. It would be fantastic to sing for conductors, coaches and get training from them. I to the next chapter of my carreer and to continuing my love of opera.