Biography
Penelope Randall-Davis' dramatic coloratura voice is known both for its consistent beauty of tone, and its natural facility in the upper register, which has inevitably led to engagements in particularly high-lying and difficult operatic roles.
Opera
In her 'signature' role of the Queen of the Night in 'Die Zauberflote' she has appeared all over the world. Having sung the role in England for Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera and English National Opera, in 2004 Penelope made her italian debut with Maestro Gianluigi Gelmetti at the Teatro all'Opera di Roma in Pier Luigi Pizzi's production. A huge critical and public success- both in the theatre and in a televised open-air performance-led to other engagements: in recent seasons she has sung the role with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Sydney Opera House (again with Maestro Gelmetti); at La Fenice in Jonathan Miller's production, for New Zealand Opera in Gerald Scarfe's attractive production, and with Opera Atelier and Tafelmusik in Toronto, for which she was nominated for a Dora award.
She has also appeared in the role with West Norwegian Opera, Oper der Stadt Koblenz, and more recently for Opera North in Tim Supple's popular production.Opera Holland Park's 2008 production of Die Zauberflote-conducted by Jane Glover and directed by Simon Callow-brought further critical acclaim for her interpretationof this role.
A graduate of Durham University, Penelope obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal Studies from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Funded by the Countess of Munster and Ian Fleming Trusts, she then studied in Munich for 2 years.
Other operatic roles include: Soprano soloist in the ENO production of Jonathan Harvey's 'Inquest of Love' at La Monnaie, the high-lying role of The Bride in Rameau's 'Les Boreades' with Graham Vick and City of Birmingham Touring Opera, the Countess in European Chamber Opera's 'Marriage of Figaro' and the Russian Mother in Glyndebourne's televised version of 'Death In Venice'. A particular affinity for the Verdi coloratura roles has also resulted in many appearances as Violetta (Opera Swansea City/Opera South-east), and more recently, as Gilda in an experimental production of Rigoletto.
Concert and oratorio
Penelope has appeared as soloist at the Aldeburgh, Cheltenham, Brighton and Dijon Festivals, and made her South Bank debut in the Purcell Room in Keith Burstein's 'Prayer for Peace'. Many and varied concert engagements have included: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with Gianluigi Gelmetti and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, frequent appearances in Orff's 'Carmina Burana', Mozart's Mass in C Minor, Poulenc's Gloria, Tippett's 'A Child of Our Time', Bach's St. Matthew Passion, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Missa in Tempore Belli.
Penelope appeared recently in a concert series in Thailand in varied repertoire; and has a long-standing and much-cherished recital partnership with pianist Nancy Cooley, with whom she has appeared all over England.They recently gave a series of recitals featuring music by female composers Clara Schumann and Rebecca Clarke.
Future plans
2010 brings concert recitals in the north-east:programmes including Russian and English song ,and Schubert's settings of poems inspired by rivers and lakes;and further performances of Die Zauberflote, in various venues.
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