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Soraya Mafi - Soprano
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Mozart meets Marvel!!

16/1/2015

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With less than a week until my European début, it's time that I share some insider information on the new production of Mozart's 'Il Re Pastore' at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. I am performing the role of Aminta, a shepherd boy (yes...I'm playing a man!) who finds out (via King Alexander the Great)  that he is the rightful heir to the throne of Sidon - hence the title 'The Shepherd King'. Now, one would expect a pastoral setting - me with my shepherd's staff, King Alexander the great in beautiful regal robes and a bunch of sheep on stage. Well, think again!

Our designer Nicholas Buffe has taken inspiration from last year's hit film 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and used Marvel style mixed with an element of Manga to produce a stunning, mind-blowing and mould-breaking concept! The production is set in outerspace, I am blue and my outfit has been made by the same company who produced the costumes for the power rangers! And rather than sheep - I have robots!! If you've never been tempted by opera before, or found it a bit too stuffy I can assure you that this production will change your mind!!

Here's a link to a video and audio descriptions (in French) to give you  flavour of the piece!! Enjoy!

http://chatelet-theatre.com/fr/event/il-re-pastore






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Karl Jenkins' 70th Birthday Gala at St David's Hall

22/11/2014

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Last night I had the pleasure of performing the solos in Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man: Mass for Peace' at St David's Hall in Cardiff. The evening was a celebration of Karl's music as he celebrates his 70th Birthday, and we were fortunate to be conducted by the man himself!

I was so excited to sing the incredible BBC National Concert Orchestra of Wales in St David's Hall which is famous for Cardiff Singer of the World - what incredible voices have graced that stage!!

Thank you to the BBC, Raymond Gubbay, Rainbow City and of course Karl Jenkins for a lovely evening of music!


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Me with Karl Jenkins at St David's Hall, post-concert!
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New Faces - The Telegraph

28/5/2014

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I am thrilled to have been chosen as a New Face of opera by The Telegraph. You can read the article here!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/new-music/10847073/New-Face-Soraya-Mafi.html
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Peter Grimes preview

16/5/2014

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I've been a busy bee working with Grange Park opera on Jeremy Sam's new production of Peter Grimes, playing one of 'The Boar's' main attractions First Niece! Here's a video of one of our rehearsals at The Grange where you will see me in my rather attractive blonde wig!!
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French début

1/5/2014

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I am delighted to announce that I will make my debut at the Theatre du Chatelet in January next year, performing the role of Aminta in Il re pastore. This will also be my first ever proper 'trouser role'...aka, I'll be playing a lad!

I can't wait to spend some time in Paris and will be lucky enough to be rehearsing there over Christmas! How magical?!

Here is the most famous aria from the opera, Aminta's 'L'amero saro costante' sung by one of my all time favourite singers, the wonderful Lucia Popp!
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ENO début

30/4/2014

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I am so thrilled to announce that I will be making my ENO debut next season, performing the role of Edith
and covering the role of Mabel in Mike Leigh's new production of The Pirates of Penzance. A whopping 19 performances including a cinema streaming!

I'm particularly excited about working with such a renowned director. For those of you who don't know, Mike Leigh directed the brilliant film 'Topsy Turvy' which is a biopic of Gilbert and Sullivan who wrote The Pirates of Penzance. I would so recommend it - you can watch it online! It's also very exciting to be working with a fellow northerner, as Mike is literally from the town next to me!

Anyway, enough about that! Here's a short video about the upcoming season at ENO. Many exciting things happening with this wonderful opera company!
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Farewell Arianna

5/3/2014

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Tonight was my final performance as Arianna in Handel's Arianna in Creta: my début with the London Handel  Festival. This has no doubt been the most challenging role I have performed to date. It has required great stamina, rehearsal and really embracing Handel's style. I have so enjoyed the music and hope that I may be able to perform this role again in the future. Congratulations to all of the wonderful cast! And a huge thank you to the creative team who have taught me so much throughout this process. 

For reviews of my performance please visit my press page.
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Maggie Teyte Success

22/2/2014

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Last week I took part in the Maggie Teyte Award competition. Students from the UK's top conservatoires prepared 13 minute long programmes of French song to perform in front of a panel of music industry experts, at the Royal Opera House, in the hope to be awarded the Maggie Teyte Award

I am pleased to announce that the panel chose to award me the Maggie Teyte Award and Miriam Licette Scholarship administered by Help Musicians UK. Along with prize money, I am awarded the opportunity to present a recital in The Crush Bar at The Royal Opera House on Monday 2nd June. The recital will have a strong focus on Frnech song, of which Maggie Teyte was famed for her interpretations. Please do keep the date in your diary!

For more information about this prestigious award please click here.

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Support from Help Musicians UK

17/1/2014

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I am incredibly fortunate to have been supported by Help Musicians UK, a wonderful charity who have provided me withfinancial support throughout both my masters and opera school studies with a postgraduate study award and a Tutton Opera Award.

They have recently re-branded and asked me to say a few words about the work they have done for me. Please check out their website www.helpmusicians.org.uk to see what incredible work they do with musicians from all sorts of bacgrounds and how they could help you now and in the future.

Here's the video:


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Arianna in Creta

13/11/2013

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London Handel Festival Début

I am very excited to announce that I will make my London Handel Festival Début in March 2014, performing the role of Arianna in 'Arianna in Creta'. The piece will be conducted by Laurence Cummings and directed by Selina Cadell. Exact dates to follow on my engagements page soon!  
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