Deirdre Lobo: Soprano
An up and coming young artist from India, living in San Francisco with an extensive musical background.
E-Mail
Addresses: deirdre_dcunha@yahoo.com
Tel/Fax
Numbers: (650) 756-3574
Born in Bombay, India. Daughter of Celia Baptista - Lobo: Famous Indian Opera Singer specializing in the Italian Romantic and Bel Canto repertoire and Lt. Col Trevor Lobo: A retired Indian army officer, special area being the Para Brigade. Deirdre’s musical background dates back to her maternal grand father Edwin Baptista, who was a composer, singer and pianist. Deirdre began her early musical training under the able guidance of her mother, Celia Lobo. She went on to take formal lessons with Jean Kingdom-Vollenweider for a year.
In 1984 Deirdre proceeded to the Philippines where she was accepted for her Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila , Philippines under Katherine Sternberg. On graduating from the University of Santo Tomas in 1988, Deirdre returned to her home country India, and began her own professional choral group called the “Meistersingers” which did concerts and sang for formal affairs. Deirdre also concertized a good deal. Above all she had a very busy Voice Teaching Studio. In 1990, Deirdre was accepted at the University of Colorado, Boulder for her Master’s in Music Degree majoring in Vocal Performance . While at the University of Colorado, Deirdre studied with Dr. Robert Harrison. On graduating in 1993 majoring in Vocal Performance, Deirdre went on to pursue her Graduate Performance Diploma in Vocal Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland. While at Peabody, Deirdre worked very closely with Phyllis Bryn-Julson famous dramatic soprano specializing in the modern repertoire and Thomas Grubb a coach specialized in the French repertoire. Deirdre graduated from the Peabody Conservatory in 1994.
In San Francisco, Deirdre is main cantor and soloist at St. Elizabeth’s Church.
Deirdre over the years has concertized internationally in India, the Philippines and the USA especially the Bay Area.
On the Operatic Stage, Deirdre debuted singing Mother Gerald in Poulenc’s The Dialogue of the Carmelites at University of Colorado in 1992. The production was directed by Dennis Jackson and conducted by Richard Boldrey.
In 1994, Deirdre sang Appolonia in Haydn’s La Canterina at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, directed by Roger Brunyate and conducted by Aaron Sherber.
In 1998, Deirdre sang the Mother in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (in English) with Golden Gate Opera, directed by Tina Arriola and conducted by Dietrich Erbelding.
In October 1999 Deirdre sang Amelia in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera at the Palace of the Legion of Honor with up and coming Italian conductor Emanuele Mazzola.
In December 1999 she sang the Mother in Hansel and Gretel again with Golden Gate Opera at the Palace of the Legion of Honor.
Currently Deirdre studies with Marilyn Zschau (USA): International Opera Singer, dramatic soprano and coaches with Kathryn Cathcart of San Francisco Opera and Dietrich Erbelding, director of Apollo Educational Touring Opera, Inc.
Deirdre is married to US Military Veteran, Neville D’Cunha . Deirdre, Neville and their son Andre reside in San Francisco, California, USA.
Current Performances:
Deirdre will be singing the First Lady in Mozart’s Magic Flute, at San Francisco’s Goat Hall 400 Missouri Street at 19th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
July 21st & 29th and August 4th at 8 PM and July 23rd & August 6th
Dietrich Erbelding : Conductor / Musical Director Harriet March Page : Director
Past Performances : Opera
The Mother in Hansel and Gretel in December 1999
Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera in October 1999
The Mother in Hansel and Gretel in October 1998
Appolonia in La Canterina in August 1994
Mother Gerald in the Dialogue of the Carmelites in October 1993.
Past Performances : Concerts and Recitals
Recital at the Del Valle Club House in Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, CA in June 2000
Concert at the Altenheim, Oakland in May 2000
Benefit Concert at the Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco in May 2000
Recital with the Rossmoor Concert Series in November 1999
Recital with the Rossmoor Concert Series in January 1999
Concert with the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra in Rossmoor in June 1998
Recital with Noontime Concerts, San Francisco in May 1998
Recital with the Oakmont Concert Series, Santa Rosa in April 1998
Recital with the Oakmont Concert Series, Santa Rosa in February 1997
International Musical Festival “Sangat” with the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Bombay, India in December 1996
Summer-West Opera in Concert, San Francisco in July 1996
Recital with Noontime Concerts, San Francisco in January 1996
Recital at the NCPA, Bombay, India in December 1993
Chamber Concert at the British Council, Bombay, India in July 1990
Recital at the NCPA, Bombay, India in April 1990
Soloist for the Magnicifat by Vivaldi at the NCPA, Bombay, India in December 1989
Soloist for the Gloria by Vivaldi at the NCPA, Bombay, India in October 1989 Orchestra : Bombay Chamber Orchestra
Chorus: Paranjoti Chorus
Conductor : Mdme. Francois Legrand of the New World Symphony, Paris
Young Artist Chamber Concert at the NCPA, Bombay, India in August 1989
Soloist for the Messiah by Handel at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines in March 1988
Orchestra : Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
Chorus : Chorus of the Philippines
Conductor : Dr. Francisco Feliciano
Duo Concert with Celia Lobo at House of Soviet Culture, Bombay, India in November 1987
Soloist for the Seven Last Words of Christ by Dubois at the Philippine National Bank Auditorium, Philippines, Manila
Orchestra: Manila Chamber Orchestra
Chorus : Coro de San Antonio
Conductor : Joseph Esmilla
Concert at the Metropolitan Theater, Manila, Philippines January 1987
Press Reviews
“By the time the competition (San Francisco Bay Area Vocal Arts) had ended, I had singled out two sopranos from a field of 120 singers, Deirdre Lobo being one. What an exciting voice she has !”
Bob Hayden THE OAKMONT NEWS: Februay 1997
“Lobo sang Mozart and Puccini in a robust voice and I particularly enjoyed La canzone di Doretta from La Rondine. She is top class. This is the quality and caliber of singing which we miss in our country.”
Jimmy Pochkhanwala THE INDIAN EXPRESS: December 1997
“Lobo’s performance was enjoyable……she is an artist at heart. Her expressive nuances and sensitive handling of the text are a pleasure to listen to.”
THE INDEPENTENT: 1989
“Expressive quality in Deirdre’s music…she has a mellow voice, a wide range, good technique and breath control… an accomplished performance.”
TIMES OF INDIA: 1987
“Recitalist inspired everyone with her aplomb and poise. Most significantly, she impressed listeners with her beautiful timbre, clear diction, delicate phrasing and fluid expressive renditions of operatic arias, lieder and native kundimans.”
MANILA TIMES: 1987