Biography

With a seldom found vocal range and versatility that can take on both mezzo – soprano and soprano repertoire, Iris van Wijnen has appeared in opera at the Bayerische Staatsoper, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Aldeburgh Festival, Staatsoper Hannover, Dutch National Opera, La Monnaie/De Munt and Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam, amongst others.
Her roles include Verdi’s Fenena, Flora, Mozart’s Marcellina, Humperdinck’s Gertrud, Larcher’s Saiko (‘Das Jagdgewehr’), Rossini’s Berta, Massenet’s Charlotte, Strauss’ Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin, Composer, Turnage’s Wife/Doreen/Waitress/Sphinx (‘GREEK’), Wagner’s Waltraute, Wellgunde, Roßweiße, GrimgerdeMary, Blumenmädchen & Stimme aus der Höhe, Prokofjev’s Sonjetka, Aksinja Janáček‘s Forester’s Wife/Owl and Dvořák’s Kuchtík.
Iris sang the leading role of Clitemestra in the world premiere of Sciarrino’s ‘Il canto s’attrista, perché?’ for wich she received outstanding reviews.

In concert she has sung works such as Shéhérazade by Ravel, Quatres Instants by Saariaho, Wesendonck Lieder by Wagner and Les Nuits D’été by Berlioz.

Lied is a very important part of her musical life and she has performed in recital at the Heidelberger Frühling Festival, for example.
In oratorio, she sang Bach Cantatas, Handel’s Messiah, Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater.

Iris is an alumna of the Opera Studio at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich and a graduate of the Utrecht Conservatory in Holland. She took part in many masterclasses to continue her studies. With Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Thomas Hampson, Leontina Vaduva and Graham Johnson, to name a few.
She worked closely together with Brigitte Fassbaender and is currently coached by Gregory Lamar.