VITA

 

Josy Santos was born in Bahia (Brazil). The Brazilian mezzo-soprano has had an extremely remarkable career in Latin America and Europe, which has received numerous positive reviews from experts. She began her vocal training in São Paulo with the singing teacher Marcia Soldi. She completed her Bachelor's degree in voice at the University Cruzeiro do Sul. Her further studies led her to the HfMDK Frankfurt am Main to Prof. Ursula Targler-Sell, where she completed her Master with distinction. In 2019 she began her opera concert exam at the HfMDK in Frankfurt am Main.

From 2015 to 2017 Josy Santos appeared at the Stuttgart Opera as Elevin in numerous roles, such as Siebel in Gounod's "Faust", Oberto in Handel's "Alcina", as 2nd Maid in Strauss' "Elektra" and Cherubino in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro". She also covered Mercédès in Bizet's "Carmen", Das süße Mädchen in Boesmans' "Reigen" and Enrichetta di Francia in Bellini's "I puritani".

In 2017 Josy Santos made her debut at the Opera National du Rhin as Samaritana in Zandonai's "Francesca da Rimini", in 2019 she returned as Bernardo in Ginastera's "Beatrix Cenci". From 2017 to 2019 the mezzo-soprano was a permanent ensemble member at the Staatsoper Hannover, where she appeared as Hänsel in Humperdinck's "Hänsel and Gretel", Ottavia/Fortuna in Monteverdi's "L'incoronazione di Poppea", Marchesa Melibea in Rossini's "Il Viaggio a Reims" and Hermia in Britten's "Midsummer Night's Dream", among others.

In Brazil, Germany and Switzerland she appeared as Angelina in Rossini's "La Cenerentola", Second Lady in Mozart's "The Magic Flute", Dardano in Handel's "Amadigi di Gaula", Zitta in Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi", Maddalena in Verdi's "Rigoletto", Frau von Hufnagel in Hans Werner Henze's "Der junge Lord", Page in Richard Strauss' "Salome". The mezzo-soprano's concert repertoire includes numerous works by Bach, Garcias, Haydn, Pergolesi and Saint- Saëns.

In the 2019/2020 season she is also bound to the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels as musical cover for Mozart's Cherubino and Dorabella.

With Beethoven's "Ninth", Josy Santos will make her debut in her home country with NEOJIBA, conducted by John Neschling. In the 2020/21 season, Josy Santos makes her debut in the role of Isabella in L'Italiana in Algeri by Rossini, in Biel/Solothurn Theater in Switzerland and as well as Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutte from Mozart, in Theater Luzern.

The mezzo-soprano has worked with directors such as Frank Castorf, Peter Konwitschny, Jossi Wieler and conductors such as Sylvain Cambreling, Ulf Schirmer, Marc Soustrot, Lorenzo Viotti, Giuliano Carella and Ivan Repusic.

Josy Santos is a prizewinner of various competitions, including the 52nd International Singing Competition Toulouse 2019, Operalia 2018, Emmerich Smola Förderpreis 2018, Annelise-Rothenberger-Competition 2017, and has participated in international festivals such as the Rheingau Music Festival, Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg and Oper Schloss Hallwyl.