Biography
South African Soprano, Celeste Cronje is a recent distinction graduate of the Master of Arts programme (Vocal) at the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied under the tutelage of Julie Kennard and Robert Aldwinckle. Celeste has worked closely with mentoring artists such as Anne Howells, Jane Manning, Ian Partridge and Barbara Bonney. Also a first class music graduate of City University and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Celeste has a repertoire that spans a wide range of musical periods and styles. Recitals have included German Lieder, French song, Spanish song, arias from Rossini’s Semiramide, Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, Adam’s Nixon in China, Weber’s Der Freischutz, Dove’s Pinocchio and from numerous Mozart and Handel operas.
Contemporary music plays a key role in Celeste’s repertoire and activities as a performer. She has had the pleasure of premiering two song collections by Huw Catchpole-Davies, a short work by Edward Scolding, one song cycle by Hannah Chinnery as well as performing the lead role of Mrs. Dumpling in a new community work by the same title composed by Robert Walker. Celeste has performed works by composers such a Rhian Samuel, Elizabeth Maconchy, Harrison Birtwhistle, Judith Weir and Dominic Argento.
She has participated in many master classes, notably with vocal pedagogues Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Barbara Bonney, Robert Tear and Jane Manning. Her operatic experience includes the roles of Marguerite in Gounod’s Faust, Blanche in Poulenc’s Les Dialogues des Carmelites, The Governess in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw and Mistress Page in Vaughan-Williams’ Sir John in Love. Roles (scenes) at the Royal Academy of Music have included The Governess in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, Venere in Cavalli’s L’Egisto, and Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni .
As a concert artist, Celeste has recently had the pleasure of performing Berlioz’ Les Nuits d’Ete with Enfield Chamber Orchestra, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle with Adoramus Choir and Orchestra, Gounod's Messe Solenelle de Saint Cecile with Stanmore Choral Society and Handel’s Messiah with Hammersmith and Fulham Choral Society. Celeste also participated in the annual Academy Opera tour to Montaretto, Italy where she perfomed the roles of Ugly Sister Thisbe (Rossini, La Cenerentola) and Donna Elvira (Mozart, Don Giovanni).
Celeste is the recipient of the Worshipful Company of Carmen prize for her dissertation on Opera in South Africa. Her paper entitled ‘Marguerita Durastanti: G. F. Handel’s Soprano of Choice’ is available for viewing as reference text in the Handel House Museum, London.
Celeste’s interest in the value of music education and community music lead to her establishing and opening ForeSound School of Music and Performing Arts in September 2010. An active agent for musical excellence in Enfield, ForeSound will soon be opening 2 new branches in Crouch End and Golders Green.
Contemporary music plays a key role in Celeste’s repertoire and activities as a performer. She has had the pleasure of premiering two song collections by Huw Catchpole-Davies, a short work by Edward Scolding, one song cycle by Hannah Chinnery as well as performing the lead role of Mrs. Dumpling in a new community work by the same title composed by Robert Walker. Celeste has performed works by composers such a Rhian Samuel, Elizabeth Maconchy, Harrison Birtwhistle, Judith Weir and Dominic Argento.
She has participated in many master classes, notably with vocal pedagogues Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Barbara Bonney, Robert Tear and Jane Manning. Her operatic experience includes the roles of Marguerite in Gounod’s Faust, Blanche in Poulenc’s Les Dialogues des Carmelites, The Governess in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw and Mistress Page in Vaughan-Williams’ Sir John in Love. Roles (scenes) at the Royal Academy of Music have included The Governess in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, Venere in Cavalli’s L’Egisto, and Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni .
As a concert artist, Celeste has recently had the pleasure of performing Berlioz’ Les Nuits d’Ete with Enfield Chamber Orchestra, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle with Adoramus Choir and Orchestra, Gounod's Messe Solenelle de Saint Cecile with Stanmore Choral Society and Handel’s Messiah with Hammersmith and Fulham Choral Society. Celeste also participated in the annual Academy Opera tour to Montaretto, Italy where she perfomed the roles of Ugly Sister Thisbe (Rossini, La Cenerentola) and Donna Elvira (Mozart, Don Giovanni).
Celeste is the recipient of the Worshipful Company of Carmen prize for her dissertation on Opera in South Africa. Her paper entitled ‘Marguerita Durastanti: G. F. Handel’s Soprano of Choice’ is available for viewing as reference text in the Handel House Museum, London.
Celeste’s interest in the value of music education and community music lead to her establishing and opening ForeSound School of Music and Performing Arts in September 2010. An active agent for musical excellence in Enfield, ForeSound will soon be opening 2 new branches in Crouch End and Golders Green.
