Rigoletto, Antigona, My Fair Lady.

Read more about Erika’s experience, repertoire and unique Soprano style.

About Erika

Australian lyric-coloratura soprano Erika Simons, known for her vocal agility and stylistic versatility has established an exciting and diverse career for herself. Winning the Opera Foundation Australia’s German Opera Scholarship in 2011, Erika joined the International Opera Studio at Cologne Opera for the start of the 2012/13 season.

Invited to stay on for another year, Erika was named Emerging Artist of the year by the international German newspaper Die Welt for her portrayal of Lise in Philip Glass’ opera Les Enfants Terrible after just two seasons in Cologne.  

Erika has appeared as a soloist in a number of gala concerts including the Festival of Beautiful Voices and the Red Cross Galas of the Cologne Opera. As a member of the Australian Schubert Society, Erika has given numerous recitals and Liederabende in Germany and at home in Australia in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut. More recently, Erika has welcomed a son into the world and turned her attentions to concerts in aid of the relief efforts in the Ukraine.

She is excited to have now relocated back to Australia with her family.

Stage highlights

Erika went on to join the ensemble of Theater Osnabrück in 2014 and enjoyed 7 years with the company, singing an eclectic array of operatic, operetta, symphonic and musical-theatre works.

Stage highlights from her time in Osnabrück include the roles of:

  • Gilda in RIGOLETTO,

  • Pamina in DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE,

  • Susanna in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO,

  • Dorinda in Handel’s ORLANDO,

  • Nannetta in FALSTAFF,

  • Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY,

  • Valencienne in DIE LUSTIGE WITWE,

  • Marzelline in FIDELIO,

  • Gretchen in DER WILDSCHÜTZ,

  • Frasquita in CARMEN,

  • Agrippina in Telemann`s GERMANICUS,

  • and the title roles in Dostal`s Operetta CLIVIA and Suppe’s DIE SCHÖNE GALATHEÉ. 

Awards & Recognition

  • In 2011, Erika was a finalist in Opera Foundation Australia’s German Opera Scholarship. Six finalists were selected from a rigorous audition process held throughout Australia. The final was held over two days, culminating in a gala concert at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Erika was awarded the first prize, at a value of over $40,000 to take her place in the renowned International Opera Studio of the Cologne Opera in Germany the following year.

  • Winning the Opera Foundation Australia’s German Opera Scholarship in 2011, Erika joined the International Opera Studio at Cologne Opera for the start of the 2012/13 season. Invited to stay on for another year, Erika was named Emerging Artist of the year by the international German newspaper Die Welt for her portrayal of Lise in Philip Glass’ opera Les Enfants Terrible after just two seasons in Cologne.

  • One of only 20 singers selected internationally from across the US, UK and Europe, Erika took part in the 4th ever IMA Program held in Neumarkt Germany. This opportunity enabled her to sing for agents, conductors and opera companies from around the globe. The 6 week long summer school consisted of masterclasses and coachings, culminating in a series of gala concerts and a contract with a leading Zurich-based agency.

Contact

  • Queanbeyan NSW / Canberra ACT

    Happy to travel for concert, operatic and recital work as well as masterclasses and workshops.

  • hello@erikasimons.com.au
    0409 100 310

  • hello@erikasimons.com.au
    0409 100 310

  • hello@erikasimons.com.au

    0409 100 310