Mezzo - soprano
Carolyn receives critical acclaim for the role of Annina with Irish National Opera
March 2023
Carolyn is delighted to have received excellent reviews on her debut as Annina in Der Rosenkavalier with her home national company. Initial mentions include The Irish Times "Among numerous well taken smaller roles...I would single out - Carolyn Holt as a conniving meddler", and The Arts Desk "well-defined performances especially from...Carolyn Holt's trouser-suited Annina". More reviews to follow.
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Carolyn returns to Royal Opera House in another Britten role
November 2022
Following her time covering Mrs Sedley in Deborah Warner's 5-star production of Peter Grimes at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Carolyn returns to the ROH in another Britten role, Bianca in The Rape of Lucretia.
This is co-production between Britten Pears Arts and the Royal Opera House, London, with performances in Snape Maltings Concert Hall and the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House London.
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Carolyn performs opening night with Garsington Opera
July 2022
Carolyn was delighted to 'jump in' for opening night to sing the role of Mrs Grose in Louisa Muller’s acclaimed production of The Turn of the Screw. Read the 5 star reviews on the REVIEWS page.
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Carolyn begins 2nd year as a Garsington Alvarez Young Artist, covering Susan Bickley as Mrs Grose
April 2022
Carolyn looks forward to covering Mrs Grose in Louisa Muller’s acclaimed production, winner of the 2020 RPS Award. Mark Wigglesworth makes his debut at Garsington conducting Britten’s extraordinary masterpiece.
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Carolyn reaches semi-finals of international competition
March 2023
Carolyn travelled to Lithuania in March to compete in the live rounds of the Virgilijus Noreika International Singing Competition, along with 70 other chosen participants from around the world. She was chosen to sing in the semi-finals (25 competitors) by the distinguished international jury.
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Carolyn reaches semi-final of International Competition
August 2022
Carolyn was delighted to reach the semi-finals of the 10th Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition, resulting in a €500 prize.
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Carolyn debuts role of Charlotte in Massenet's 'Werther'
August 2022
Carolyn made her role and house debut to standing ovations in August 2022, as Charlotte in Massenet's Werther with Lyric Opera Ireland, at the National Concert Hall in Dublin.
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Carolyn begins rehearsals for ROH debut in Deborah Warner's production of Peter Grimes
February 2022
Carolyn looks forward to covering Mrs Sedley in this production of Britten's Peter Grimes. Following Deborah Warner’s award winning production of Billy Budd in 2019, The Royal Opera continues its Benjamin Britten series with her new production of Peter Grimes, which had its premiere in Madrid in April 2021.
Mark Elder conducts a cast that includes British singers Allan Clayton, Bryn Terfel and John Tomlinson, alongside Maria Bengtsson and former Jette Parker Young Artist Jacques Imbrailo.
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REVIEWS
"Rich and seductive mezzo-soprano" - "powerful and earthy mezzo"
"Carolyn Holt’s Dido was particularly affecting, her smooth mezzo betraying little of her final intent"
- Bachtrack
"Forming the backbone of the work... Carolyn Holt’s strong spiritual mezzo as Sister Helen provided impressive focus and beautifully bookend the opera with the unaccompanied hymn “He will gather us around”. - Bachtrack
"Particularly outstanding are Carolyn Holt as the crusading Sister Helen, her rich-seamed timbre captivating at every emotional level." - The Scotsman
"Carolyn Holt as the voice of Antonia's mother stood out with her rich and seductive mezzo-soprano" - Bachtrack
"Carolyn Holt’s Dido was particularly affecting, her smooth mezzo betraying little of her final intent" - Bachtrack
"Carolyn Holt's powerful and earthy mezzo performance as Florence assumes the recklessness of the condemned."
Carolyn Holt plays Mrs Grose with authority and effortlessly effusive vocal power."
"Carolyn Holt... is splendid, with her relatively light voice feeling very mature on the one hand yet extremely fresh on the other."
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