Dutch-Argentinian soprano Ana-Carmen Balestra is celebrated for her clear and expressive soprano voice, complemented by a sparkling stage presence. A recent graduate of the Guildhall Opera Course in London, she has garnered attention for her talent as both an opera and lieder singer. In April 2024, she made her recital debut at the prestigious Wigmore Hall. During the 2024/25 season, she will be a Young Artist at the National Opera Studio in London while competing in various vocal competitions, leading up to her role debut as Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen in the Netherlands.
Her operatic repertoire includes roles such as Dalinda in Ariodante and Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro at the Copenhagen Opera House, Frasquita in Carmen during the Waterperry Opera Festival, La Principessa in Respighi’s La bella dormente nel bosco, and Susanna in Stephen McNeff's A Star Next to the Moon at Guildhall. Additionally, her roles encompass Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Blanche in Dialogues des Carmélites, Governess in The Turn of the Screw, and Adina in Elisir d’amore.
As a recitalist, she has performed at stages such as Wigmore Hall, Muziekgebouw Amsterdam, the Concertgebouw (during a masterclass with Nelly Miricioiu), and Festival de Santander 2024, among others. As a versatile and compelling musician, she takes pride in creating innovative programs that showcase her diverse musical interests. Her repertoire choices often collide musical worlds, geography, and styles in programs that are both personal and playful. Ana-Carmen has performed at various festivals, including the Rotterdam Opera Festival, Tête-à-Tête, and the Copenhagen Opera Festival. In 2025, she will take her program Gracias a la vida on tour in the Netherlands, accompanied by pianist Daan Boertien.
Her concert repertoire includes Brahms’ as well as Mozart’s Requiem, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, which she performed on various occasions in the UK.
Ana-Carmen graduated with distinction from the Conservatory of Amsterdam and completed a one-year Master’s degree at the Opera Academy of the Royal Danish Opera. She furthered her training at the Guildhall Opera Course.
She has received several accolades, including the Guildhall Wigmore Prize, first prize in the Opera Viva competition, and the Sinfonia Rotterdam award. She was also nominated for the Clonter Opera Awards by Guildhall. Additionally, she has been awarded scholarships from the Josephine Baker Trust, the Miluška Duffková Foundation, and is a Help Musicians Sybil Tutton Award and the Kathleen Trust award holder.
