Jelena Kordić

mezzo-soprano

mezzo-soprano

Jelena kordić

About me

Dear opera lovers, welcome to my homepage. This is where you can learn all about me and my unique path in the opera world. I'm a proud cosmopolitan travelling through Europe and beyond, making my voice heard. I do what I love and I love what I do. Croatian passion, German education, and a voice with a bright future.

Listen now

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About

Dear opera lovers, welcome to my homepage. This is where you can learn all about me and my unique path in the opera world. I'm a proud cosmopolitan traveling through Europe and beyond, making my voice heard. I do what I love and I love what I do. Croatian passion, German education, and a voice with a bright future.

Listen now

Listen now

Biography

Croatian mezzo-soprano Jelena Kordić is enjoying a flourishing international career in leading roles of the lyrical repertoire. Her voice has been hailed by critics as "bright and voluminous", "at turns seductive and energetic", "balanced and refined across the whole vocal range", "as supple as it is enchanting".

After celebrating her professional debut as Carmen in her hometown of Zagreb, she joined the Young Ensemble of Semperoper Dresden in 2015. In this prestigious house, she sang many important roles, such as Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Orlofsky, Hänsel and Janáček's Fox.

In 2017, Jelena joined the ensemble of Staatstheater Braunschweig, where she made her debuts as Sesto (La clemenza di Tito) and Charlotte (Werther) and appeared in a new production of Carmen. Since 2018, she is a member of Nationaltheater Mannheim, singing parts like Charlotte, Adalgisa, Carmen, Octavian and, most recently, Preziosilla (La forza del destino).

In past seasons, Jelena has made guest appearances at Deutsche Oper am Rhein Düsseldorf (Hänsel und Gretel), Concertgebouw Amsterdam (Elektra), Latvian National Opera Riga (Nabucco), Luxembourg Philharmonic (Beethoven 9) and performed a gala concert at Guadalajara/Mexico.

In 2018, Jelena was invited by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra to sing the role of Doma in Jakov Gotovac's Ero the Joker, Croatia's most celebrated opera. A complete recording of the concert was released to critical acclaim.

Highlights of the 2021/22 season included Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier) at Lithuanian National Theatre in Vilnius, in a premiere staged by Damiano Michieletto, and Empress Caesonia in Detlev Glanert's Caligula at Nationaltheater Weimar. She also recorded a set of Orchesterlieder by Croatian composer Dora Pejačević with the Zagreb Radio Symphony orchestra, where she is a regular guest, and performed Verdi's Requiem with the same orchestra under the direction of Plácido Domingo.

In Mannheim's 2022 performance of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, conducted by Alexander Soddy, Jelena debuted as Fricka in both Das Rheingold and Die Walküre, starting her journey into the German dramatic repertoire. She reprised both roles at the Daegu Opera Festival as part of the South Korean tour of Nationaltheater Mannheim in October 2022.

In the season 2023/2024, Jelena appeared as Wellgunde in Das Rheingold at Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, as part of a new Ring cycle staged by Romeo Castellucci and conducted by Alain Altinoglu. She also sang Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde with UNAM Philharmonic in Mexico City and perform Le Prince Charmant in Massenet's Cendrillon at the National Taichung Theater in Taiwan. Furthermore, she returned to Vilnius to make her debut as Nicklausse in a new production of Les contes d`Hoffmann. She revived her Carmen and yet another debut of the season Der Komponist (Ariadne auf Naxos) in Mannheim and performed a Verdi gala with Wüttembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen.

Beginning of this season marks Jelena´s first season as a freelance singer. The season started with a new debut as Mrs Quickly at the National Taichung Theater. Followed by this production, Jelena returns back to Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie to make a new debut as Wellgunde in Wagner´s Götterdämmerung. Later this season she will again perform Nicklausse in Vilnius.

Jelena aims to keep improving and developing her voice with different teachers. Among others, she has been working with Dolora Zajick, Deborah Polaski, Elena Pankratova, Sherman Lowe, Martina Zadro and Ruža Pospiš-Baldani.

Biography

Croatian mezzo-soprano Jelena Kordić is enjoying a flourishing international career in leading roles of the lyrical repertoire. Her voice has been hailed by critics as "bright and voluminous", "at turns seductive and energetic", "balanced and refined across the whole vocal range", "as supple as it is enchanting".

After celebrating her professional debut as Carmen in her hometown of Zagreb, she joined the Young Ensemble of Semperoper Dresden in 2015. In this prestigious house, she sang many important roles, such as Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Orlofsky, Hänsel and Janáček's Fox.

In 2017, Jelena joined the ensemble of Staatstheater Braunschweig, where she made her debuts as Sesto (La clemenza di Tito) and Charlotte (Werther) and appeared in a new production of Carmen. Since 2018, she is a member of Nationaltheater Mannheim, singing parts like Charlotte, Adalgisa, Carmen, Octavian and, most recently, Preziosilla (La forza del destino).

In past seasons, Jelena has made guest appearances at Deutsche Oper am Rhein Düsseldorf (Hänsel und Gretel), Concertgebouw Amsterdam (Elektra), Latvian National Opera Riga (Nabucco), Luxembourg Philharmonic (Beethoven 9) and performed a gala concert at Guadalajara/Mexico.

In 2018, Jelena was invited by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra to sing the role of Doma in Jakov Gotovac's Ero the Joker, Croatia's most celebrated opera. A complete recording of the concert was released to critical acclaim.

Highlights of the 2021/22 season included Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier) at Lithuanian National Theatre in Vilnius, in a premiere staged by Damiano Michieletto, and Empress Caesonia in Detlev Glanert's Caligula at Nationaltheater Weimar. She also recorded a set of Orchesterlieder by Croatian composer Dora Pejačević with the Zagreb Radio Symphony orchestra, where she is a regular guest, and performed Verdi's Requiem with the same orchestra under the direction of Plácido Domingo.

In Mannheim's 2022 performance of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, conducted by Alexander Soddy, Jelena debuted as Fricka in both Das Rheingold and Die Walküre, starting her journey into the German dramatic repertoire. She reprised both roles at the Daegu Opera Festival as part of the South Korean tour of Nationaltheater Mannheim in October 2022.

In the season 2023/2024, Jelena appeared as Wellgunde in Das Rheingold at Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, as part of a new Ring cycle staged by Romeo Castellucci and conducted by Alain Altinoglu. She also sang Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde with UNAM Philharmonic in Mexico City and perform Le Prince Charmant in Massenet's Cendrillon at the National Taichung Theater in Taiwan.

Furthermore, she returned to Vilnius to make her debut as Nicklausse in a new production of Les contes d`Hoffmann. She revived her Carmen and yet another debut of the season Der Komponist (Ariadne auf Naxos) in Mannheim and performed a Verdi gala with Wüttembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen. Beginning of this season marks Jelena´s first season as a freelance singer. The season started with a new debut as Mrs Quickly at the National Taichung Theater. Followed by this production, Jelena returns back to Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie to make a new debut as Wellgunde in Wagner´s Götterdämmerung. Later this season she will again perform Nicklausse in Vilnius.

Jelena aims to keep improving and developing her voice with different teachers. Among others, she has been working with Dolora Zajick, Deborah Polaski, Elena Pankratova, Sherman Lowe, Martina Zadro and Ruža Pospiš-Baldani.

News

Rheingold! Rheingold!

Rheingold! Rheingold!

Soon, I will shout these words once again on the stage of La Monnaie in Brussels, as we bring the…

Back in Taiwan

Back in Taiwan

I’m thrilled to be back in Taiwan, a country of breathtaking landscapes, delicious cuisine, and warm-hearted people. This time, I’m…

New beginnings!

New beginnings!

Back in 2015, I made the bittersweet decision to leave my beautiful homeland of Croatia to pursue my dream of…

Preparing for the next Pants Role…

Preparing for the next Pants Role…

With the piano rehearsals of Cendrillon here in lovely Taichung, Taiwan in full swing, I nevertheless have to get ready…

Press Conference for our Cendrillon

Press Conference for our Cendrillon

Today, I had the great pleasure of appearing at the official press conference of the National Taichung Theatre for the…

„O don fatale“ – „O fatal gift“

„O don fatale“ – „O fatal gift“

The heart of every mezzo-soprano is stirring as soon as they hear or read these three words. This is the…

Calendar

Feel free to check out my upcoming shows and see if there's one near you where you can catch me perform.

1st Nov 2024

2nd Nov 2024

3rd Nov 2024

4th Feb 2025

8th Feb 2025

11th Feb 2025

15th Feb 2025

19th Feb 2025

23rd Feb 2025

26th Feb 2025

02nd Mar 2025

Recordings

Listen to the most recent tracks.

Repertoire

Feel free to explore my repertoire! It showcases a variety of my work and performances, and I hope you find something that resonates with you.

Gluck, Orfeo ed Euridice: Orfeo
Mozart, Così fan tutte: Dorabella
Mozart, Figaro: Cherubino
Mozart, La Clemenza di Tito: Annio
Mozart, La Clemenza di Tito: Sesto
Mozart, Die Zauberflöte: Second Lady
Mozart, Die Zauberflöte: Third Lady

Bellini, Norma: Adalgisa
Verdi, Nabucco: Fenena
Verdi, La traviata: Flora Bervoix
Verdi, Rigoletto: Maddalena
Verdi, La forza del destino: Preziosilla
Verdi, Otello: Emilia
Verdi, Falstaff: Meg Page
Verdi, Falstaff: Mrs Quickly (2024)
Mascagni, Cavalleria rusticana: Lola

Offenbach, Les contes d’Hoffmann: Nicklausse / La Muse
Bizet,
Carmen: Carmen
Massenet,
Cendrillon: Le Prince Charmant
Massenet,
Werther: Charlotte
Tchaikovsky,
Evgenij Onegin: Olga

J. Strauß, Die Fledermaus: Orlofsky
Wagner, Der fliegende Holländer: Mary
Wagner, Das Rheingold: Fricka
Wagner, Das Rheingold: Wellgunde
Wagner, Die Walküre: Fricka
Wagner, Die Walküre: Roßweiße
Wagner, Götterdämmerung: Second Norn
Wagner, Parsifal: Blumenmädchen
Wagner, Götterdämmerung: Wellgunde (2025)
Humperdinck, Hänsel und Gretel: Hänsel
R. Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier: Octavian
R. Strauss, Elektra: Third Maid
R. Strauss, Salome: Page
R. Strauss, Ariadne auf Naxos: Komponist

Janáček, The Cunning Little Vixen: The Fox
Prokofiev, The love for three oranges: Smeraldina
Gotovac, Ero the Joker: Doma
Bersa, The Cobbler of Delft: Mintje
Zanettovich, Marco Polo: Bolgana
Harbison, The Great Gatsby: Tango Singer
Glanert, Caligula: Caesonia
Brkanovic, Ekvinocij: Kata

Beethoven: 9. Symphonie
Dvořák: Stabat mater
Mahler: 2. Symphonie
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Mozart: Requiem
Pejačević: Four Songs with Orchestra
Verdi: Messa da Requiem
Wagner: Wesendonck-Lieder

Reviews

Jelena Kordić als Fricka überzeugt mit Haute Couture und vokaler Eleganz, ihr heller und voluminöser Mezzosopran klingt schmeichelnd und mit verführerischem Timbre bei „Deiner ew'gen Gattin“, dann wieder energisch auftrumpfend, kultiviert und ausgewogen führt sie die Stimme im tieferen Register, die sichere Höhe glänzt obertonreich, besonders bei „die Gattin entweiht er nicht so“.

Uschi Reifenberg IOCO Kultur im Netz

Jelena Kordić überzeugt wieder als Fricka voll und ganz, und wie sie am Ende des Disputs mit Wotan selbstgefällig ihre siegreiche Zigarette wegwirft, ist ein, Pardon, Bild für Göttinnen.

Stefan Dettlinger Mannheimer Morgen

Jelena Kordić [als Caesonia] agiert in schönster manipulativer Präsidentengattinnen-Manier und sonnt sich im Rampenlicht. Kordićs Mezzosopran ist so geschmeidig wie betörend.

Katharina Stork Opernwelt

Parmi les quatre rôles principaux, deux chanteurs assurent l’ensemble des représentations, chantant parfois deux soirs de suite: la basse autrichienne Albert Pesendorfer […] et la mezzo croate Jelena Kordić, superbe Octavian au timbre dense et dont la plastique avantageuse est mise en valeur par son travestissement en Mariandel.

Laurent Bury concertclassic.com

Jelena Kordić is a brilliant Knight of the Rose, as elegant on stage as she is vocally assured. Accustomed to cross-dressing roles, the Croatian mezzo nonetheless asserts a conquering femininity as Mariandel.

Peter Verlack wanderersite.com

In der Rolle der Novizin Adalgisa glänzt Jelena Kordić. Die Zerrissenheit zwischen Liebe und Freundschaft, Leidenschaft und moralischer Pflicht spiegelt Kordić in einem facettenreichen Spiel der Klangfarben.

Katharina Koser Mannheimer Morgen

Die Carmen singt Jelena Kordić mit butterweichem leicht voluminösem Mezzosopran, der fein alle Verästelungen ihrer versatilen Melodiebögen auskostet. Hochgewachsen und schlank erscheint sie dabei tatsächlich wie ein Vamp, aber ein außergewöhnlich schöntimbrierter.

Friedeon Rosén Online Merker

Kordic indes hat die Mega-Bühnenpräsenz, und wie sie „O don fatale“ aus „Don Carlo“ zelebriert, ist nicht weniger als, ja, vielleicht fast schon Weltklasse.

Steffan M. Dettlinger Mannheimer Morgen

Ebenso ergreifend ist die eigentlich als Hosenrolle angelegte Figur desKomponisten gestaltet, der in Mannheim eine Sie im lila Samtanzug ist,gesungen von Jelena Kordić mit gleichsam dramatisch starkem wie lyrischem Mezzo.

Sven Scherz-Schade Oper!

Ganz stark ist auch Jelena Kordic als Komponistin. Gar nicht unbedingt nur stimmlich, wo ihr wirklich sehr gut geführter, gesunder und schön timbrierter Mezzo… als Figur ist sie hier fast die Beste.

Steffan M. Dettlinger Mannheimer Morgen

Ausgezeichnet war die Darbietung von Jelena Kordic (Mezzosopran) als furiose Prinzessin Eboli, die der Arie "O don fatale" aus der Oper "Don Carlos" glühendes Feuer mit Mezza-voce- Effekten verlieh. Geradezu verschwenderisch strömten die As-Dur-Kantilenen dahin…. / Jelena Kordic sang dann die Arie der Amneris "Gia i sacerdoti adunansi" mit Klangfarbenreichtum und vokaler Fülle in den Spitzentönen. Wehmütig und elegisch wirkten hier die Kantilenen - und natürlich fehlte auch der hochdramatische Zauber nicht. / Jelena Kordic imponierte bei der Arie der Preziosilla "Al suon del tamburo" aus "Die Macht des Schicksals" mit unerschöpflicher stimmlicher Energie und wildem rhythmischem Feuer.

Alexander Walther Theater Kompass

Contact

Don't hesitate to get in touch with me! I’d love to hear from you, whether you have questions, want to share your thoughts, or just want to connect.

For international representation inquiries, please reach out to my agent at marco.zelaya@zelaya-artists.com. He'll be happy to assist you.

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