Jenna Robertson
Jenna Robertson
[BRISBANE]
Scottish-Australian soprano Jenna Robertson's performed roles include title roles in La Traviata, Massenet's Manon and Anna Bolena, Nedda Pagliacci, Zerbinetta Ariadne auf Naxos, Gilda Rigoletto, Gretel Hänsel und Gretel, Laetitia The Old Maid and the Thief, and Lauretta Gianni Schicchi to name a few.
In 2020, Jenna debuted the role of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi in Brisbane and made her debut as a soloist with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in Sydney. In September, she returns to her beloved Violetta in La Traviata for the 10th Anniversary Season of the Albany Entertainment Centre in WA opposite Australia’s premier baritone José Carbó. For Opera Hunter, Newcastle, NSW, Jenna will also perform Violetta in March 2021.
In the arena of creative development of new work in 2020, Jenna continues work with the Bleach* Festival for the 2020 Festival, and with the GENERATE GC in the Gold Coast for exceptional artists to make new, site-responsive artworks for the Festival environment. GENERATE GC is a City of Gold Coast initiative delivered in partnership with the internationally acclaimed Salamanca Arts Centre program Situate - Art in Festivals.
Jenna has appeared as soloist for the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, Perth Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, South Side Symphony Orchestra, Albany Chamber Orchestra, Perth Pops Orchestra, Albany Sinfonia and the Perth Guitar Quartet in works including Jenkins The Armed Man, Faure Requiem, Mozart Requiem, Vivaldi Gloria, Handel Messiah and selected items in Orff Carmina Burana.
“...[In Anna Bolena] Soprano Jenna Robertson read the complex character well and alternated between kind caresses, blind rage and the depths of despair with a believability not often seen....In the same vein, her voice danced from the soaring highs (which were often punctuated with applause) to the softer moments of contemplation...””
Jenna Robertson performs Massenet's Gavotte from Manon.
In rehearsal for Puccini's Gianni Schicchi in Brisbane, with the Summer Festival Orchestra…
Jenna Robertson performs the Cavatina from Lucia's first aria from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.
Jenna Robertson with baritone José Carbó, performing the duet Soffriva nel pianto from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.
ROLES
Violetta, La traviata (ENO English translation), Opera Hunter 2021
Violetta, La traviata (Italian), Albany Entertainment Centre, WA 2020
Lauretta, Gianni Schicchi, Cuskelly College of Music, Summer Opera 2020
Nedda, Pagliacci, NIDA Festival of Emerging Artists 2019
Title role, Manon (Massenet), OperaBox, 2017
Violetta, La traviata (ENO English translation), Opera New England 2016
Zerbinetta, Ariadne auf Naxos, OperaBox, 2016
Title role, Anna Bolena, OperaBox, 2015, 2016
Gretel, Hänsel und Gretel, OperaBox, 2014
Laetitia, The Old Maid and the Thief, Perth FRINGE WORLD Festival, 2014
Gilda, Rigoletto, OperaBox, 2013
Königin der Nacht, Die Zauberflöte, Perth Lyric Opera, 2010 (Cover)
Title role, Lucia di Lammermoor, In Preparation
TRAINING
Jenna graduated from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh with a MEng in Chemical Engineering and received a singing scholarship for the duration of her studies providing tuition and performance opportunities. In 2014, she was awarded a place in the Opera Studio at the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria with partial scholarship and in 2019 was an Associate Artist as part of the 2019 Pacific Opera Young Artist Program in Sydney.
AWARDS
In July 2013, she received first place in the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition - Vocal Section in QLD.
REVIEWS
‘"Soprano Jenna Robertson read the complex character well and alternated between kind caresses, blind rage and the depths of despair with a believability not often seen....In the same vein, her voice danced from the soaring highs (which were often punctuated with applause) to the softer moments of contemplation."
Sydney Morning Herald, Anna Bolena 2015
"My enduring memory of Massenet’s Manon will be Jenna Robertson radiant in orange brocaded silk and exuding charisma. Her Manon was a heroine full of ambiguities and I couldn’t steal my eyes from her remarkably expressive face...Robertson captured every nuance of Manon’s duplicity with her superficial glamour, cruel manipulations, a sobbing Adieu notre petite table, and finally her heartfelt penitence. She sang with impeccable French and bright top notes..."
Limelight Magazine, Manon 2017
"Soprano Jenna Robertson (Boleyn) turned in a moving, often powerfully understated performance, negotiating the musical and dramatic demands of the score with great finesse."
The West Australian, Anna Bolena 2015
"Jenna Robertson made an enchanting Manon, fully embodying the leading role with her kilowatt smile and crystalline voice, portraying the character’s journey from innocent charm to preening coquette to desolate repentance."
Cut Common, Manon 2017
"Jenna Robertson's ever-ascendent soprano, combined with her convincing acting ability, provided us with a memorable Manon."
Darlington Review, Manon 2017
"Jenna Robertson sizzles as the flirtatious Zerbinetta with coloratura fireworks"
Noted, Ariadne auf Naxos 2016
"Robertson's bell-like soprano transfixed musicians and audiences alike in her beautifully modulated Caro Nome from Verdi's Rigoletto, and the exquisite Casta Diva, from Norma by Bellini...This soloist's sure tread...promises great things to come."
Great Southern Weekender, A Night at the Opera 2016
"Jenna Robertson's sensitive portrayal of the doomed queen was outstanding."
Darlington Review, Anna Bolena 2015.
"Robertson's bad-to-the-bone Laetitia ticks all the boxes."
The West Australian, The Old Maid and the Thief 2014. Read the full review.
"Who could fail to be moved by...the soaring soprano of Jenna Robertson as Gilda, Rigoletto's wronged daughter, whose dramatic high notes set the rafters ablaze? Her vitality, and her obvious enjoyment singing the role, was electrifying."
Darlington Review, Rigoletto 2013