Nefeli Kotseli

Mezzo-Soprano

Biography

Greek mezzo-soprano Nefeli Kotseli was born in Athens, where she studied piano, music theory and singing at the National Conservatory of Athens (graduating with distinction and first prize for the best performance). She continued her postgraduate studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna with Gabriele Lechner and in Lied/ Oratorio with Anton Scharinger. There she sang Mercédès Carmen, Cornelia Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Sesto La Clemenza di Tito and Charlotte Werther. She also performed the role of Dritte Dame Die Zauberflöte at the Schlosstheater Schönbrunn in Vienna, the role of Smaragda in the children’s opera Der Tulifant by Gottfried von Einem and the role of Miss Newkirk in the children’s opera Hilfe, Hilfe die Globolinks by Menotti both at Das MuTh Theater in Vienna with the Vienna Boys Choir. In 2023 she made her debut with Greek National Opera in the role of Neris in Cherubini’s Medea, conducted by Philippe Auguin and alongside the Medea of Anna Pirozzi. She went on to appear as Ethel Les Eclairs by Philippe Hersant for Greek National Opera. Nefeli has also appeared as mezzo-soprano/alto soloist in numerous concerts including the Mozart Requiem, Verdi Messa da Requiem, Bach Christmas Oratorio, Händel Messiah, Pergolesi Stabat Mater and Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with the Philharmonie Wien. She also sang mezzo-soprano solo in Vijay Upadhyaya’s 1st Symphony – “Prayer Flags” with the China National Symphony Orchestra in the Beijing Concert Hall. In 2021 Nefeli made her debut at the Wiener Musikverein singing alto solo in the Mahler Symphony No. 2 with the Philharmonie Wien conducted by Vijay Upadhyaya. Her programme in 2024 consists of the role of Waltraute in Wagner’s Walküre in a production of the Greek National Opera, Mahler’s 2nd Symphony in Megaron Athens Concert Hall conducted by Christoph Eschenbach and also Mahler’s 8th Symphony (Mulier Samaritana) in Wiener Konzerthaus conducted by Vijay Upadyaya.

The unexpected revelation of the evening was the Neris of the hitherto little-known mezzo Nefeli Kotseli, possessor of a rich velvety and obviously expertly trained mezzo voice. Hopefully we will hear a lot more of her in the future.»
Opera Now Magazine – Helena Matheopoulos – July 2023

À ses côtés, la révélation de la représentation s’avère être la Neris de la jeune mezzo Nefeli Kotseli dont il faudra absolument suivre la carrière. Par sa tessiture, elle apparaît au moins autant sœur que servante de Médée. Outre une forte présence de scène, elle interprète, au deuxième acte, d’une voix chaude et sûre, le sublime grand air que Cherubini a écrit pour le personnage (« Solo un pianto »).
OperaOnline – Paul Fourier – 9th May 2023

…and, above all, the mezzo Nefeli Kotseli (Ethel) who had already distinguished herself this year, as Neris, in “Medea”: excellent vocal metal, warm, sensitive voice, very expressive, flawless, not at all” operatically flamboyant” acting. I’m betting on its significant development
Nikola Tesla – November 21, 2023

Roles performed

Operas for Children

Concerts

Audio

Photos