Elena Xanthoudakis (born 1978) is an Australian operatic soprano.
Life and career
editXanthoudakis was born in Mount Beauty to Greek father and Australian mother,[1] and raised in Bentleigh.[2] After graduating from McKinnon Secondary College she studied astrophysics in university.[3] In her second year,[4] she gradually turned to music by taking on full-time honours music performance degree at the Victorian College of the Arts.[3] After completing Bachelor of Music with Honours in 2001, she pursued simultaneously Master of Music at the University of Melbourne and Graduate Diploma of Opera at the VCA, receiving both degrees in 2004.[3][5] She then studied on scholarship at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she received Master of Music degree with distinction in 2005.[6]
She won numerous prizes in native and international competitions.[7] In 2003, she won the Maria Callas International Grand Prix in Athens,[8] and was a finalist in the Australian Singing Competition.[9] In 2005, she won third prize as well as "Best Interpretation of Compulsory Canadian Work Award" in the Montreal International Musical Competition.[10] In 2006, she won first prize in the International Mozart Competition in Salzburg,[1] and second prize in McDonald's Operatic Aria of the McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge.[2] In 2008, she won third prize in Operalia.[11] In 2011, she won a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award.[6]
Personal life
editXanthoudakis is married to tenor Paul Featherstone.[3]
Discography
edit- Jewels of the Bel Canto; Richard Bonynge, Royal Northern Sinfonia (2014, Signum Records)
- The Captive Nightingale; Clemens Leske, Jason Xanthoudakis (2016, Signum Records)
References
edit- ^ a b "9. Internationaler Mozartwettbewerb: Australische Siegerin". Der Standard. 16 August 2006. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ a b Lawson, Valerie (18 September 2006). "Nerves and tingles for opera contest". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ a b c d Porter, Liz (19 March 2012). "A stellar singer's tale of journey to the stars". The Age. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
- ^ Morgan, Joyce (1 December 2010). "No looking back in this underworld". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
- ^ "Exhibitions and performances". Melbourne University Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
- ^ a b Chilvers, Alex (17 February 2011). "Xanthoudakis wins BBT award". Limelight Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
- ^ "Competitions, Eisteddfodau, Scholarships and Awards". Elena Xanthoudakis. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
- ^ "Greek Soprano Star Xanthoudakis Performs in Melbourne". Greek Reporter. 7 December 2010.
- ^ "Winners & Finalists". Australian Singing Competition. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
- ^ "Chant 2005". Concours musical international de Montréal. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
- ^ "Winners". Operalia Competition. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
