Paola Alcocer

Biography

Bolivian mezzo-soprano Paola Alcocer studied classical singing at the Del Valle University with Katia Escalera after obtaining an engineering degree. Subsequently she completed two Master studies, at the Music Academy in Basel and at the Swiss Opera Studio in Biel. Currently she is in the Master Pedagogy programme at Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt. She won 2nd Prize and three special prizes at the Corsica Lirica 2024, 2nd Prize at the Romana Vaccaro Competition 2024 and an opera engagement from the Opera Munot in Switzerland.

Her recent performances have included Matilde in Donizetti’s Caterina Cornaro, Giovanna Rigoletto, Köchin in Vardapet’s opera Nachtigall Tausendtriller and the production „Glaube, Liebe, Abschied“ to Bach’s music at Stadttheater Giessen. She sang Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas with Capella Weilburg and Celfa in José de Nebra's Venus y Adonis with the Ensemble Los Elementos, recorded on CD. Upcoming roles include Maddalena Rigoletto, Rosina Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Angelina La Cenerentola.

Among earlier roles have been Kate Pinkerton Madama Butterfly, Cathleen in Vaughan-Williams‘ The Riders of the Sea with TOBS Theater Biel Solothurn, Mother in Eötvös‘ Lady Sarashina in Bellinzona, Squirrel in Ayers‘ Die Genesung der Grille at Theater Basel, Santuzza Cavalleria rusticana with Gelterkinden Orchestra. In Bolivia she has sung Guillermina in N. Suarez‘ opera El Compadre, recorded on DVD, Kori Thika in A. Auza's opera Incallajta as well as Mati in C. Prudencio’s opera En las ojeras de la Noche.

Among concert highlights the solos in Mozart’s Requiem at the Victoria Hall in Geneva, Verdi’s Requiem with the Cochabamba Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlioz' Les nuits d'été with Basel Symphony Orchestra, Ginastera's Cantata para la America Mágica at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg as well as Duruflé’s Requiem. At the Festival Vivace she sang Bach’s Magnificat and Händel’s cantata Amarilli vezzosa.