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 Lugansk/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 Kiev 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 opera stage debut in Switzerland was the role of she-devil in Shostakovich’s opera “Balda” at the theatres “Rigiblick” and “La fourmi”.

Her first roles in the UK were the ones of Idamante in Mozart's opera "Idomeneo" at Teignmouth music festival with Red Earth Opera and Third Lady in Mozart’s opera "The Magic Flute" with Somerset Opera. Iryna sang solos in Mozart's Coronation Mass K317 and Vespers K339, as well as alto solo in G.F. Handel’s “Messiah” 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.

Iryna's future engagements also include collaboration with Stella Maris Trio, Duo “Elegance” and concerts with Trio “Va Bene” in Zurich and Lucerne, Switzerland.