The deep, resonant, open-throated contralto sound is unique, as if it were being drawn up out of the earth.
Contralto
Irini Tzanetoulakou
Irini is originally from Greece and she is currently based in Brussels, Belgium.
She has a Master's Degree in classical singing from the UKU University of the Arts Utrecht as well as an acting Bachelor’s Degree (outstanding graduate, Contemporary Theatre School of Athens. Greece). She has also obtained a Biology Bachelor’s Degree from University of Patras, Greece.
She has evolved to a versatile multidisciplinary artist who has performed in various genres (opera, theatre, dance theatre) in different countries: Greece, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Romania, United Kingdom, Egypt and Australia. She has also introduced to the public her own projects and vision where she combines classical singing with theatre and contemporary dance elements.
Irini has a year’s long experience in teaching and coaching. Since 2013, she gives singing lessons at conservatories and drama schools in Greece and since September 2017, singing and theatre lessons in music and word academies in Belgium. Since September 2021 she has also been assigned coordinator and instructor in a subsidized project for secondary school students whose Dutch is not their first language improve their language skills through theatre and music.
Last podium project:
• “the Soccer Opera”, contemporary opera by Lefteris Veniadis, world premiere in Athens and Epidaurus Festival 2021 and Chios Music Festival 2021Her future plans include:
• “what Love has taught me”, staged version of G.Mahler Kindertotenlieder, festival “de week van de klank”, Brussels, Vlanders, Februari 2022.• “El Duende”, music theatre performance, staged version of spanish classical songs combined with texts by F.G.Lorca, C.C Zoetegem, Belgium, March 2022.
What defines a true Contralto?
Due to the rareness of the voice type, more often than not, Mezzos or Counter Tenors cross over into the Contralto repertoire. While Mezzo Sopranos make their own unique contributions to the world of singing, the Contralto experience is quite a different one altogether. And while Counter Tenors are often hired in place of Mezzos or Contraltos, especially in oratorio, they offer yet another auditory experience beyond the true Contralto.
