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The Swiss-born mezzo-soprano/contralto of Swiss and Czech origin, Hélène Čajka McClellan, studied in Geneva (Haute école de musique de Genève) and in the Netherlands (Hogeschool voor Muziek en Dans Rotterdam). Initially studying violin as well as the Baroque violin, she progressively dedicated herself to vocal music, first as a choir conductor. She then completely embraced solo singing and moved to the Netherlands where she stayed for three years supported by a grant from the André-François Marescotti Foundation. Returning to Switzerland, she studied with Ms. Marie-José d’Alboni with whom she completed her vocal studies. Graduating as a choir conductor in the class of Michel Corboz, and as a music teacher at the Geneva Conservatory, she also graduated in singing and pedagogy at the Schweitzer Akademie für Musik und Musikpädagogisch.
Hélène McClellan's has been active as a freelance alto singer since January 2000. Her careers develops in Switzerland, France and Denmark where she is regularly invited to perform as a soloist, in particular with the ensemble Copenhagen Soloists (Director: Jonathan Ofir). Her tessitura and unique colour of contralto naturally suits the oratorio repertoire in which she often performs in works such as J.S. Bach’s B Minor Mass (BWV 232), George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, Rossini’s Petite messe Solennelle, Schubert or L.v. Beethoven works.
Hélène McClellan regularly performs with orchestras repertoire such as A. Lokshin’s Symphony No 7, Karl Jenkin’s Stabat Mater and The Bards of Wales, or Johannes Brahms’ Alt Rhasodie. She has worked with various conductors in Switzerland and abroad including Luc Baghdassarian, Bernard Héritier, Pascal Crittin, Jonathan Griffith, Jonathan Ofir, and has sung in Switzerland in the cathedrals of Geneva, Lausanne and Sion, and at the Victoria Hall in Geneva. She has also performed during the Festival du Jura, the Radio Suisse Romande’s Schubertiade and with orchestras such as the Orchestre de Chambre de Genève (OCL), Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, Bienne’s Symphonic Orchestra, Lausanne’s Sinfonietta, and the Ensemble Baroque du Léman.
Hélène McClellan regularly gives recitals with pianist and conductor Luc Baghdassarian and has performed with pianofortist Michel Kiener in the concert series Amarcordes. |
