Since moving to the Netherlands, award-winning Canadian soprano Elisabeth Hetherington has established herself as a standout performer and interpreter of early, contemporary, and modern repertoire throughout Europe. Elisabeth has been praised for her “… fearless and powerful personality, as well as her flawless technology and breath-taking presentation” (NRC, 2020), and “…virtuosic grace, sophisticated dynamics and subtle colours, beautifully lyrical, somewhat fragile timbre…” (Place de l’Opera Magazine, 2020).
Multidisciplinary performance
Elisabeth’s passion for multidisciplinary performance, rooted in her background as a modern dancer, has led to collaborations with composers and choreographers, resulting in innovative works that blend physicality and musicality. Her partnership with Dutch dance company Leineroebana has yielded projects like SOLAS and SONUS MOTUS, where her seamless integration of singing and movement captivates audiences. Critics have remarked on her ability, stating: “Hetherington operates on three different levels: exclusively singing, exclusively dancing and in a combination of both, delivering her sung musical phrases with a dance expression. Her body coincides with her instrument, and her dance part therefore entices the spectator.” (Theaterkrant, 2022) and “She demonstrates how well movement and singing live together in her.” (Theaterkrant, 2019).
Memorable roles
With major opera companies in the Netherlands, Elisabeth has created memorable roles, earning critical acclaim for her commanding stage presence and silvery soprano voice. Notable performances include Lopachin (The Cherry Orchard, Holland Opera, 2023), Susanna (Divorce of Figaro, Holland opera 2022), Senta (De Vliegende Hollander, Holland Opera 2021), Theodora (Theodora, MusicStages 2021), and Cordelia (King Lear, Holland Opera 2019). For these roles, she has received the critical acclaim “Hetherington seizes the opportunities presented with both hands. Both acting and singing she manages to place herself in the center of the action for the majority of the performance, claiming all the attention for herself.” (Place de l’Opera Magazine, 2022) and “…with a silvery, pure soprano voice. She is the star of the evening and rightly receives the most applause afterwards.” (Theaterkrant, 2019).
Elizabethan English
In addition to her vibrant performing career, Elisabeth is a respected researcher in Original Pronunciation of Elizabethan English. Her expertise has made her a sought-after clinician, conducting masterclasses, and lecturing at conservatories around Canada and Europe, and institutions such as the Utrecht Festival Oude Muziek.
Awards & Nominations
To recognize her outstanding work in her various fields, Elisabeth will be awarded the most prestigious classical music prize in the Netherlands, De Nederlandse Muziekprijs in October 2024. In 2020, Elisabeth was awarded the Dutch Classical Talent Award after taking part in the year-long competition and tour. She recorded her debut album through the Dutch Broadcasting agency AVROTROS and continues to make frequent appearances on the television and radio stations of the Netherlands.
University and Conservatorium
Elisabeth holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Toronto and graduated cum laude from the Masters of Historical Performance program at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam where she studied with Xenia Meijer.