Danae Eleni sings Musetta
Last season, Greek-English soprano Danae Eleni sang the title role of Smetana's La fiancée vendue (Opera de Baugé) to critical acclaim and made her concert debuts in Maria Callas’ early repertoire at Teatro di Pisa and in Athens. She won the 2022 Let’s Sing Competition at Sofia Opera & Ballet, Bulgaria and the 2021 Concorso Musica Sacra, Rome. She was soprano soloist in staged productions of Handel’s Messiah in 2022 in Karditsa, Greece and at Szleske-Divadlo Theatre, Czechia.
Recent role debuts include La Messaggiera Orfeo (Lyon, France); Contessa Almaviva Le nozze di Figaro (Dubrovnik, Croatia); and Pamina Czarodiejski Flet (Warsaw, Poland). In 2023, Danae was the soprano soloist for world premieres of Christos Samaras’ Μνήμες (Ancient Theatre of Philippi - Kavala, Greece); and Julian Cochran’s Night Scenes. Danae performed concerts throughout the UK raising money for www.helpmusiciansukraine.com
Danae loves La bohème - and made her debut as Mimì at the Jerash Festival in Jordan in 2021, reprised the role for Opera na Koszykach in Warsaw and is thrilled to be revising the feisty Musetta, having first sung her for Grimeborn at the Arcola Theatre in London. Danae is excited to be making her Exeter debut and performing near home!
www.danaeeleni.com
How did you get involved in Devon Opera? I travel a lot for work, but most of my family have moved to the South West, so I'm spending a lot more time here now - and it's beautiful!!
Who do you play in our production of La bohème? Musetta for the children's performance on Friday afternoon, and Soprano chorus for the evening shows.
Have you done anything else for Devon Opera? Not yet... but fingers crossed!
Beach or woodland walk? Tree-lined beach!
Indian or Thai Curry? Both amazing! Favourites are Kerala curry or green Thai curry.
Mozart, Monteverdi or Massenet? All three please, but so far I've performed nine Mozart roles, five Monteverdi and no Massenet... Yet, though I love singing in French.
What are you currently working on besides Devon Opera? Just finished a recital tour of French and Polish songs in Poland for Chopin's birthday, I’m reprising a favourite Mozart role in June, and recording a CD of Greek song next season.
Dogs or Cats? Dogs - specifically a Papillon!!
Your Desert Island luxury? A huge sunhat.
What is your musical guilty pleasure? 60s Italian hits and the Beatles
And most importantly, what is your favourite Opera and why? To be honest, I love Bohème! I've performed both Mimí and Musetta, and every time I see it I find new details in the character's lives - and the opening makes me cry!
Why do you think Opera is important for Devon and the rural UK? I think it's really important to bring this art form to all corners of the UK - as it really is for everyone. In Germany there are more than 80 opera houses, so there are many opportunities to see all sorts of repertoire all over the country. Let's hope companies like Devon Opera can do the same for the UK!
Do you have any unexpected or surprising talents outside of music? I co-founded Help Musicians Ukraine & Imaginingpeace.eu ... And wicket-keeping when needed!