ABOUT

Welcome to the website of British soprano Caroline MacPhie

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.

NEWS

Interview with France 24 following the opening recital at Festival Présences Féminines 2019 at Toulon Opera

Reviews

Jean-Charles Hoffelé

The lovely, sweet toned Papagena, Caroline MacPhie…

Rupert Christiansen

MacPhie sings with haunting sensitivity and emotional engagement… This lovely disc marks the arrival of a fine young recitalist.

Damien Dutilleul

Caroline MacPhie portrays a mischievous Barbara with clear high notes…

Richard Fairman

…Caroline MacPhie, Rupert Enticknap and Damian Thantrey, all excellent.

Céline Wadoux

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…

Olyrix (Katya Kabanova, Opéra National de Lorraine, 2018)

Sarah Urwin Jones

On stage, Caroline MacPhie did excellent work… both vocally and dramatically…

Seen and Heard International

MacPhie radiated joy and ecstasy…

Seen and Heard International (Cheltenham Festival with the Elias Quartet & Tom Poster, 2011)

Barbara Maxwell

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.

Rupert Christiansen

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.

Ekkehard Pluta

Her bright, light lyrical soprano voice… also has dramatic bite. The performance is imaginative and eloquent…