About me
Iris Candelaria (1995) is a Finnish/Spanish soprano who graduated from the Sibelius Academy Opera program under the tutelage of Annika Ollinkari in 2022.
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In 2022 she made her professional debut at the Savonlinna Opera Festival as High priestess in Verdi's Aida and the autumn of 2022 she debuted in the Finnish National Opera as Queen of the Night in Mozart's Magic flute. She returned to Savonlinna Opera Festival in the summer of 2023 for the legendary 50-year-old production of Magic flute as Pamina and began her season as a Young artist in the Finnish National opera, where she will perform the roles of Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Adele (Die Fledermaus) and Constance (Les dialogues des Carmelites).
She frequently performs with the Helsinki-based interdisciplinary cultural group Eloa. In the summer of 2020 Iris performed in a recital with pianist Matleena Nyman at Helsinki fest, which was broadcasted on Finnish National Broadcasting company YLE.
In 2023 Iris Candelaria won the 1st prize and the audience award in the prestigious Lappenranta singing competition. 2019 she won first prize in the Timo Mustakallio competition and in 2021 she got awarded the audience prize in the Havets röst competition.
The Selim Eskelin, Wegelius, Arts Promotion Centre Finland and the Sibelius Academy foundations have generously supported Iris Candelaria’s studies.
"Iris Candelaria conquers as Suzel with her radiant, beautiful and lyrical soprano."
Hannu-Ilari Lampila, HS 8.5.2021
"The stage is full of apt satirical characters. Iris Candelaria was a blushing school mistress who looks like a dancing musical theater star."
Hannu-Ilari Lampila, HS 22.11.2020
"In a class of her own was Iris Candelaria, who won the Timo Mustakallio award at the Savonlinna Festival. Her voice is above all naturally beautiful, with tones and embellishments that flow without effort."
Elvor Lindström, Nya Åland 25.7.2020