Biography

       Iryna Ilnytska, mezzo soprano from Ukraine, began studying music at the age of eight. At the age of twelve, she won first prize at an opera competition in Luhansk/Ukraine for young singers singing Olga’s aria from Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin”.  A few years later she sang the whole Olga’s role on the stage of Kyiv Opera Studio. The roles of Carmen and Dalila followed soon afterwards.

Iryna studied classical voice at the Academy of Music Claudio Abbado in Milan, Italy in the class of Maestro Vincenzo Manno.  

Her first roles in the UK were the ones of 3rd Lady, 3rd Spirit, Idamante, Lola and Orfeo. She worked with Red Earth Opera, Somerset Opera, Staircase Opera and Opera in a Box here. Iryna also sang solos in Mozart's Coronation Mass K317 and Vespers K339, alto solo in G.F. Handel’s “Messiah”, as well as other concerts with different ensembles at Exeter Cathedral.

Together with Stella Maris Trio Iryna performed in several projects in Devon and Oxfordshire, including Gluck’s Opera “Orfeo ed Euridice” (the role of Orfeo), “Trouser roles in Opera”, “Tragic & Comic Musical Moments”, “Sacred & Profane”, “Queens in Baroque Opera”, "The Favourites", "Greek and Roman Myths in Opera", etc.

Iryna worked with Red Earth Opera as Assistant Director for the production of 'L'elisir d'amore'. She also directed Mozart's 'Cosi fan tutte' with Exeter University Opera Society and Gluck's 'Orfeo ed Euridice' with Stella Maris Trio. In 2023 Iryna was a Co-Director of Gilbert & Sullivan’s opera ‘The Sorcerer’ with Exeter Operatic Group 'St. David’s Players'.

    Last year Iryna sang a lot of charity concerts to support Ukrainian volunteers who save lives in this terrible war. She is planning to continue doing it this year.