In 1989 Ileana Otto-Johansen began to study at Hochschule fuer Musik “Franz Liszt” in Weimar. Studying under Kammersaengerin Margarete Grund, Ileana graduated in 1995 majoring in voice. While in Weimar, Ileana developed a professional career involved in predominantly private engagements. Since moving to New Zealand with her husband and family in 2001, Ileana has been active as a soloist in a variety of productions, choral works, operas and other musical activities. These include the Amnesty International Twilight concerts, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, Rutter’s Mass of the Children and Handel’s Messiah (with Hastings Choral Society), Brahms’ German Requiem (with Napier Civic Choir) and Menotti’s The Telephone (Opera Hawkes Bay). Ileana appeared with Patrick Power, Madeleine Pierard and Phillip Rhodes to celebrate the refurbishment of the Hawkes Bay Opera House. In addition to being a regular soloist with the CHB Concert Choir and taking a pivotal role in the Opera at Oruawharo — now in its fifth year — Ileana teaches private pupils in Hastings and central Hawkes Bay.

Source: Programme Notes.

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