helen maree cooper

Mezzo-soprano Helen Maree Cooper is a versatile performer whose career spans opera, musical theatre and concert work internationally. Her recent work includes the role of Lolo, one of the Grisettes, in the Buxton International Festival, Opera Holland Park, Scottish Opera and D’Oyly Carte Opera co-production of The Merry Widow at Buxton Opera House.

Her other professional roles include Don Ettore in Haydn’s La Canterina (Buxton International Festival), Eithne Magee in the world premiere of Alberto Caruso’s newly commissioned opera Lady Gregory in America, with a libretto by Colm Tóibín (Wexford Festival Opera), La Suora Infermiera in Puccini’s Suor Angelica (Wexford Festival Opera), Hänsel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel (Westminster Opera), and Second Witch and Spirit in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (If Opera). She also starred in the premiere of the Ivor Novello musical The Land of Might-Have-Been, performing Debutante / Swing / Cover Shirley & Stella (Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre Royal).

Helen trained at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Roles during her training included Dritter Knabe in Die Zauberflöte, Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ruggiero in Alcina, Tisbe and Cenerentola in La Cenerentola, Radamisto in Radamisto, Lel in The Snow Maiden, Mrs Segstrom in A Little Night Music, Sœur Mathilde in Dialogues des Carmélites, Mercedes in Carmen, and La Libellule in L’enfant et les sortilèges. She also created the role of Louise for the premiere of Michael Wolter’s Ava’s Wedding.

Helen is recognised for her versatility across opera, musical theatre and performance, moving seamlessly between operatic and musical theatre styles. Throughout her career, she has performed internationally, with experience ranging from the Thursford Christmas Spectacular in 2015 and international touring with Ida, a female vocal quartet, on luxury cruise liners, to solo performances at private resorts in the Maldives.

With extensive training in ballet, tap, modern and jazz from a young age, Helen brings a strong dance background to her performance work. Her movement skills led to her performing as the animation silhouette of Tinkerbell in the world premiere of Welsh National Opera’s Peter Pan by Richard Ayres, directed by Keith Warner.

Helen has performed with contemporary music ensemble Festival Voices, the CBSO, and toured and broadcast across Europe as a member of the Philharmonia Chorus.