Tania Kross

Mezzo-soprano Tania Kross was born in Curaçao. She graduated with distinction from the Utrecht Conservatory of Music with a bachelor and master’s degree. Even during her training she won several contests, including the first prize of Stichting Jong Muziektalent Nederland, the Rosa Ponselle International Competition for Vocal Arts in New York and the Cristina Deutekom Concours. 
After her course she was a member of Opera Studio in Amsterdam, and was chosen as “Rising Star” of the Concertgebouw. She gave a recital in the Kleine Zaal (Small Auditorium) of the Concertgebouw and went on tour, performing at the major concert halls of the world, e.g. in Paris, Salzburg, Vienna, Birmingham, Cologne and Carnegie Hall in New York. She represented the Netherlands at the prestigious BBC Singer of the World Contest 2003 in Cardiff.
Tania Kross’ career moved swiftly, characterised by her passion and her engaging personality on stage. At the Staatsoper in Stuttgart, Riga Opera House and the Glyndebourne Festival she was a popular Carmen. About her Carmen in Glyndebourne, conducted by Stephan Denève: “It’s fun to find one Carmen with the hair of Shirley Bassey, the figure of Barbara Windsor, the strut of Tina Turner and the freneticism of a go-go dancer paid by the wiggle. Her voice – smoky but with a glinting edge – is distinctive but cultured too.” (The Times, 2008).