How I Got Here: Internationally acclaimed opera singer Celine Byrne

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?

At 18 I worked as an au pair in Italy. I loved singing and had sung in choirs and musical societies growing up, so they bought me tickets to an opera. Growing up in Kildare, opera was so far removed from my experience. My only interaction with classical music was with my dad on a Sunday, he’d turn on RTÉ Lyric FM and start air conducting around the kitchen. But I went and the experience changed my life.

WHEN DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER?

After that, I came home and found Leinster School of Music in Dublin and had my first vocal training at 18, which is quite late in the industry, and went on to study music at the Conservatory of Music. I still didn’t see performing as a career: I was a young mom and as the first in my family to go to university, my focus was on establishing a career as a music teacher so I could provide for my family.My voice developed naturally during my time in university. I joined Opera Ireland (which has since disbanded) and my first soloist role was in a college production of Così fan tutte by Mozart as Fiordiligi. From there, I started competing in international competitions, winning the prestigious International Singing Competition in memory of Maria Callas in 2010. After that, I found an agent and made my international debut the same year, as Mimì in Puccini’s La bohème.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

At the moment, I’m singing the titular role in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Opera Antwerp. In the mornings, I hydrate and eat well as I can’t eat too close to the performance – it can be technically difficult to get your voice going when you’re full. I’ll try to make time to go to church and say a little prayer and then I’m normally in the theatre about two and half hours before curtain for a warm-up and hair and make-up, maybe a wig fitting, before I warm up again and allow myself some time to settle.

WHAT PARTS OF YOUR ROLE DO YOU FIND MOST FULFILLING?

When I reflect on my career, I’ve had a lot of pinnacles. I’ve performed in the best opera houses in the world and had the privilege of singing with some of the most renowned tenors of our generation. I’ve sung for popes and presidents. But for me, the measure of success is my happiness. I am doing what I love, I have a beautiful family and a good work-life balance.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN AUDIENCE?

It depends. In an opera, I am performing a role, and I want to immerse the audience in the story. But what I love most are concerts, especially with an Irish audience, because I get to be myself. I loved my Christmas Gala with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre this past December. It’s always such an honour that someone would buy a ticket to spend the evening with me, I get such a buzz from it.

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR 2025?

More Puccini! And hopefully an opera in Ireland at the end of 2025. I am so lucky to have travelled the world but getting to perform at home is my absolute favourite. I’d like to continue my work as a presenter on Lyric FM too, a full-circle moment really from my dad conducting around the kitchen when I was a teenager!