Imagine getting kicked out of La Scala Academy because people found you unsuitable for a career in opera. Well, Lilly Jørstad experienced that very situation, one which she has transformed into a fully formed career that will reach an early apex this summer as she competes in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition.

Short Bio

The Norwegian-Russian mezzo-soprano was born in Russia and has been singing since the age of four. She found herself in Norway as a teenager and eventually earned her master’s at the Trømso University in 2012. She would go on to win the top prize at the Concorso Internazionale di Portofino and was awarded a scholarship to help with her early career.

Major Roles and Performances

Though La Scala’s Academy declined to continue Jørstad’s training, the Teatro alla Scala has called the mezzo back several times to sing “La Cenerentola” for kids. She actually made her debut with the company in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” and has had much success singing Rossini operas, appearing at the Academia Rossiniani in Pesaro in 2012.  She appeared as Meg Page in Sir David McVicar’s Vienna State Opera production of “Falstaff” this past December and recently appeared at the Maggio Fiorentino Festival.

Check out the mezzo in Rossini’s famous aria in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” (apologies for the video quality).