The Canadian-born Irish contralto, Patricia Forbes, has her vocal studies with Janet Williams, David Jones, Ruthild Engert, Roberta Cunningham, Neil Semer, Kammersängerin Irmgard Boas, Kammersänger Peter Gougaloff, and Victor Martens. She particpated in international master-classes with David Jones / Helena Döse at International Masterclass for Opera Kungälv, Sweden; David Jones / Janet Williams at International Masterclass for Opera in Berlin, Germany; Mental Training for Singers with Janet Williams in Berlin, Germany; Estill Voice Training System Workshop with Professor Anne-Marie Speed at Royal Academy of Music, London; Neil Semer International Masterclass for Voice/Opera in Coesfeld, Germany; International Masterclass for Opera with Dame Gwyneth Jones in Braunschweig, Germany; International Masterclass for Directors of Opera with Ruth Berghaus in Berlin, Germany.
Patricia Forbes began her singing career as a soprano. However, in May 2008 her voice type changed to dramatic contralto. She has performed opera roles: Madame Lidoine in Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmelites, Mutter in Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel, Celie in Signor Deluso, Lady Billows in Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring, La Maestra della Novizie in Suor Angelica, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicci Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos, Leonora in Fidelio, Sarah Good in The Crucible. She has sung as an opera chorus member: Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, The Crucible, Trouble in Tahiti, Dialogues des Carmelites, Dunstan and the Devil, and L'Enfant et les Sortileges. She appeared as a soloist in Lunaquamarin (A Water Cabaret/Varieté with the Chamäleon Varieté Berlin), and as choral-soloist in Medeia (Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz Berlin), She also sang Fly Me to the Moon - A One-Woman Jazz and Comedy Show at Scheselong Club, Berlin; Jazz Solo Program at Garçon, Berlin; Soloist with the Toronto Pops Orchestra (December 1990 at Massey Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada).
Her choral experience: Ontario Youth Choir at The Joy of Singing International Choral Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada conducted by Robert Shaw; Wilfrid Laurier Chapel Choir conducted by Professor Barrie Cabena; Laurier Singers Chamber Choir conducted by Professor Victor Martens. She is presently engaged as a 2nd alto opera chorus singer at Theater Bielefeld (Germany).
Her film experience: singer in Hans Scharoun and Berlin (SFB, Berlin; Director: Angelika Kettelhack); Dark Visions: A Portrait of Oskar Morawetz (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; Director: Paul MacIvor) |