Helen holds a Master's in Vocal Performance with Distinction from the Royal Academy of Music where she was awarded a DipRAM for an outstanding final recital. She studied on the prestigious Preparatory Opera Course under the tutelage of Nuccia Focile, Iain Ledingham, and Philip Sunderland. Her studies were supported by the William Gibbs Trust and the Josephine Baker Trust.
As Poppea, L'Incoronazione di Poppea, (July 2022), Helen's voice was hailed as 'exquisite', her delivery acclaimed for its 'vocal bravura', and her dramatic characterisation admired for its 'blistering eroticism' (see reviews). This production at the Arcola Theatre was OFFIE nominated for best opera performance and best opera production. Helen's performance as Emilie, Les Indes Galantes (Feb 2022), was praised as ‘superb, with the flexibility of tone and dramatic power that holds an audience rapt’ (reviews). Helen was also OFFIE nominated for best opera performance for her role as Calisto in Cavalli’s La Calisto at The Cockpit in February 2020.
Helen has undertaken lead roles for Woodhouse Opera, Hampstead Garden Opera, Royal Academy Opera, Ensemble OrQuesta, Barefoot Opera, Bury Court Opera, London Opera Players, Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra, and Oxfordshire Contemporary Opera. Roles have included: L'Aurore (Céphale et Procris, Jacquet de la Guerre); Mimi (La bohème, Puccini); Mozart’s La Contessa, (Le Nozze di Figaro); Pamina (Die Zauberflöte); Despina (Cosi fan tutte); First Lady (The Magic Flute); and Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro); Emilie (Les Indes Galantes, Rameau); Climene (L’Egisto, Cavalli); Alcina and Morgana (Alcina, Handel); Galatea (Acis and Galatea, Handel); Poppea, Nerone and Valletto (L’Incoronazione di Poppea, Monteverdi); Diane (Hippolyte et Aricie, Rameau); Giannetta (L’elisir d’amore, Donizetti); Woodpecker (Cunning Little Vixen, Janáček); cover Jenůfa (Jenůfa, Janáček); Nimue (Merlin, premiere, Keith Beal); and cover Aurora (Aurora, premiere, Noah Mosley). Future roles include L'Aurore, (Céphale et Procris, Jacquet de la Guerre, Arcola Theatre). Roles>
Recent oratorio highlights include: Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem with Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra, Verdi Requiem with Grange Choral Society in Christ Church Priory, and Haydn The Creation, Charpentier, Te Deum: Bach, Magnificat; and Saint Saens Oratorio de Noel. Forthcoming engagements include Mozart, Great Mass in C minor; Mozart, Requiem; Mozart, Vesperae Solennes de Confessore; Poulenc, Gloria; Mendelssohn Elijah; and in recital, Villa-Lobos, Bachianas No. 5. Concert>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'Helen May's wonderful Climine..' - 'She's a hugely expressive singer... with velvety rich tones'. >
|
'As Calisto Helen May excels..she keeps the tragic heart of the opera beating with admirable passion.' >
|
'As Nerone and Poppea, Helen May and Kathleen Nic Dhiarmada are superb.. ..the final duet is spellbinding' >
|
|
|
|
|
'Helen May's Despina was outstanding:
a name to watch'. > |
Amastre: 'The ever impressive Helen May..' 'May drew out the disguised princess’s anger, shame and angst to perfection'. >
|
'May's passionate acting..is more than credible and convincing.' a..'terrifically bolshy, punky, cocksure performance as Valletto.' >
|
Helen has enjoyed public masterclasses with renowned singers such as Nelly Miricioiu, Toby Spence, and Isobel Buchanan; she continues to benefit from private coaching with Nuccia Focile.
Helen's undergraduate studies in music took place at Cardiff University, where she held the David Lloyd Vocal Scholarship and was awarded the Geraint Evans Prize for outstanding recital performance. Helen is an alumna of Wells Cathedral School, one of the UK's five specialist music schools, where she was awarded a sixth-form place as a 'Special Provisions' musician.
Helen is married to Marcio da Silva. She is the Company Manager of Ensemble OrQuesta and is a member of the EO Company; she is also the General Manager of Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra. Through both organisations Helen is active in developing a range of community based Outreach projects.