Biography of operatic soprano Olena Tokar

Olena Tokar graduated from Music College in Lugansk and continued her studies at the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy in Kiev and University of Music and Theatre in Leipzig. She was a member of the Young Singers Project at the Salzburg Festival (2011) where she had the opportunity to take part in masterclasses with renowned artists including Ileana Cotrubas, Christa Ludwig, Michael Schade, and Alfred Brendel.

Olena was a finalist at the Ferruccio Tagliavini competition in Austria (2012) and was a finalist at the Francisco Viñas competition. In the same year, she was awarded first prize at the Lortzing Competition, Leipzig and the ARD International Music Competition, Munich. She was a finalist at the renowned BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition (2013) and subsequently joined the BBC New Generation Artist scheme from 2013-15.

Olena also continues her work as a member of Leipzig Opera with recent roles including Pamina Die Zauberflöte, Mimi and Musetta La Boheme, Gretel Hänsel und Gretel, Micaela in Carmen and Susanna Le Nozze di Figaro. She made her debut as Mimi in La Boheme at the Verbier Festival 2015, which closed an exciting 2014-15 season. Engagements this season and beyond include her continuing collaboration with Leipzig Opera and concerts in Slovenia, Japan, Hungary and The Netherlands.

Olena received the first Christine Kühne-Award at the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival in 2016.