BIOGRAPHY
Superb and versatile singing
Jennifer Brisk is an experienced classical singer and performs regularly operatic, chamber and oratorio repertoire. Jennifer is also a seasoned recitalist and event singer, performing in the UK and internationally. Some operatic highlights for Jennifer have been singing Mercedes in David Gately's production of Carmen with renowned conductor Christopher Larkin, with MAI Festival Orchestra for 'Il Trentino Music Festival'. After her success in this performance Jennifer was invited to sing the title role of Hansel in Hansel und Gretel in a modern production for the Black Box Theatre, Hong Kong, with director Ming Kwong. Jennifer has a great love of oratorio and sacred music and has sung alto solos in Mozart’s Requiem, Karl Jenkins’ Armed Man, Handel's Messiah, Bach's St John Passion and others with conductor Grenville Hancox, MBE, at the Coyler-Fergusson Concert Hall in the UK, also Vivaldi's Gloria with the same conductor in the UK and abroad with conductor Hans van der Toorn with his COV Excelsior Leiderdorp chorus and the Leiden Sinfonietta in the Netherlands, and Pergolesi's Stabat Mater and Mozart's Coronation Mass, in Berlin, as examples. More recently Jennifer has performed as Micah in Handel's operatic religious work Samson, for the Ashford Choral Society with conductor Matthew Raisbeck.
Jennifer has sung in many festivals in the UK and abroad, including the Trentino Music Festival in the Dolomites, the Indemini Music Festival, Switzerland directed by soprano Luise Breyer-Aiton and famed soprano Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet with pianist Nicola Rose of the Welsh National Opera/Royal Opera House. Jennifer has sung in various recitals in the Vernazza Opera Festival in the Cinque Terra. In the UK Jennifer performed the lead role, 'Lydia' for the Deal Festival in a modern opera ‘Burning of the Boats’ directed by renowned cellist and baritone Matthew Sharp, also the director of the Deal Festival, and conducted by local composer David Burridge in 2014 and again in 2019 whilst nearly 9 months pregnant! Jennifer has also performed for the celebrated Canterbury Music Festival.
Jennifer’s other engagements include performing at prestigious events such as ‘Orchestra in a Field’ with conductor Charles Hazelwood, and guest appearances at the International Green Awards, celebrating Prince Charles and also, David Attenborough's ‘Lifetime Achievement Awards’. Jennifer has dedicated many of her recitals to fundraising for various international charities, such as Save the Children and been involved in many international fundraising projects, including an event hosted by Sir Richard Branson called Ocean Gala raising awareness for global initiatives in ocean clean up solutions.
Prior to her Music studies Jennifer gained a BA in English Literature at the University of Kent. Later as a music student Jennifer was awarded a First Class degree and Full Scholarship for her Master of Music degree, in which she gained a Distinction for Performance. Prizes and scholarships were awarded to Jennifer during her studies from the Beerling Trust, Seary Trust and the Alan Parnell Competition. During this time Jennifer was honoured as the overall winner of the Kent Arts Festival.
Jennifer has studied vocal technique with the late Ameral Gunson, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Dame Rosalind Plowright in the UK, Eva Zwedberg in Berlin and famed dramatic soprano Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet in Berlin, Switzerland and Italy, and more recently since moving back to the UK has studied and prepared for recent oratorio concerts with world renowned countertenor and teacher Andreas Scholl. Jennifer has been developing her song recital and oratorio repertoire and developing classical music programmes in Holland, Germany, Italy and the UK.
Masterclasses have brought her together with world renowned and imminent teachers, Professor Gerd Uecker, now retired Intendant of the Semper Oper, Dresden and the American sopranos, Kammersängerin Cheryl Studer and world renowned singer, Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet.
“A lovely rich mezzo instrument.”
David Pollard, The Guildhall School of Music, London
“Really outstanding singing… An excellent performer.”
Janet Gration, Soprano, London