Described as a singer with ‘flair, style and imagination’ (The Telegraph), Lyon based Caroline MacPhie is a versatile artist, performing as a soloist in repertoire from Monteverdi to Max Richter with companies such as Royal Opera House, Opera North, Scottish Opera, Opéra National de Lyon and Opéra National de Lorraine. In concert she has performed with leading ensembles including Hallé, Hanover Band, Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonia. A committed recitalist, she made her Wigmore Hall debut in 2010 and has since gone on to perform at major UK festivals as well as further afield. A specialist in repertoire by female composers, her latest album with pianist Joseph Middleton ‘Love said to me….’ is a collection of songs inspired or written by women.
Alongside her performance career, Caroline is a keynote speaker and workshop leader. She works with groups from 10 to several hundred people using opera as a motivational tool. Her latest lecture on the importance of work ethic – “It’s not over until the diligent lady sings” – provides a unique approach to inspiring and nurturing a strong sense of purpose at work. Since 2019, Caroline is also Artistic Director of Mission Opéra, a unique outreach project through which she has worked with over 350 young people from vocational high schools in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. In 2023 she founded the charity Mission Opéra France in order to enable the project to become a national initiative.
MacPhie sings with haunting sensitivity and emotional engagement… This lovely disc marks the arrival of a fine young recitalist.
But my personal favourite was the Lancashire-born Caroline MacPhie. Her light-lyric instrument was clean-toned and perfectly tuned, and she delivered an enterprisingly original programme… with flair, style and musical imagination.
Special mention must go to MacPhie’s performance as Pamina. Her solos were breathtaking and she manages to convey the many emotions required for this part.
Caroline MacPhie portrays in this version a Glasha who is a cleaner rather than a servant. Her diction is executed effectively and she carries her high notes well whilst she toils away…
Her bright, light lyrical soprano voice… also has dramatic bite. The performance is imaginative and eloquent…
…the quality of the three ladies, Caroline MacPhie, Heather Newhouse and Dorothea Spilger, who bring grace and intelligence to the vocal line and the text.
Caroline MacPhie, the only Brit, put over her material with far more dramatic verve than anyone else; her Cunning Little Vixen extract, sung in Czech, was especially gripping.
…as Susanna, Caroline MacPhie reveals a clear soprano and excellent enunciation in a performance that proves to be just as sharp as the character.
The whole cast in Nancy reaches perfection, starting with the small roles performed with panache, namely Caroline MacPhie…
…Caroline MacPhie, Rupert Enticknap and Damian Thantrey, all excellent.