About
As a Fellow of the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute YAP 2025, Irish tenor Graham Cooper is currently performing in Montreal, where he takes on the roles of Zweiter Priester and Erster Geharnischter Mann in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (with an understudy role as Tamino), in addition to participating in gala concerts and masterclasses. In the same year, he made his debut at Concertgebouw Bruges, performing Mozart's solo cantatas alongside Christoph Prégardien. Other significant career milestones include his portrayal of Ferrando in Così fan tutte with Escales Lyriques YAP, the role of DUP Tenor in Abomination - A DUP Opera with the Belfast Ensemble, and his solo debut in the Kammermusiksaal of the Berlin Philharmonic, where he performed Mozart's Mass in C Minor.
On stage, Graham is gaining a reputation for his passionate interpretation of Mozart's leading roles. In 2023, he performed the role of Ferrando in Così fan tutte with Escales Lyriques YAP, and in the current season, he is covering the role of Tamino at the Canadian Vocal Institute 2025, while also performing the roles of 2. Priester and 1. Geharnischter Mann. His operatic repertoire also includes roles such as DUP Tenor in the Belfast Ensemble’s Abomination - a DUP Opera, Kuusi in Kats-Chernin's Nils Holgersson at Komische Oper Berlin, Prince Yamadori in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Bath Opera, and both Don Curzio and Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro with Edinburgh Studio Opera. Additionally, he has performed in the opera chorus of Milhaud’s Trois Opéras-Minute at Musikakademie Rheinsberg, as well as in multiple productions at the Komische Oper Berlin, including the chorus of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice and Kats-Chernin’s Nils Holgersson, and Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Schumann’s Szenen aus Goethe’s Faust.
As a concert soloist, Graham has performed in prestigious venues across Europe, including Concertgebouw Bruges and the Kammermusiksaal of the Berlin Philharmonic. His concert highlights include performing Mozart's Masonic Cantatas with Terra Nova Collective in Concertgebouw Bruges, Mass in C Minor at the Berlin Philharmonic, and the world premiere of James Wood’s Apokalypsis in several prominent venues, including St Bavo Kathedrale in Gent and Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam. He is highly sought after as an Evangelist in Bach's repertoire, particularly in Weihnachtsoratorium. Additional notable performances include von Herzogenberg’s Die Geburt Christi, a tour of Charpentier’s Music for the Sun King with the Irish Baroque Orchestra, and the world premiere of Anne-Marie O’Farrell’s Civil War Cantata with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra under the baton of Ciarán Crilly.
Graham is also an accomplished interpreter of art song, having recently reached the semifinals of the 20th Lyon International Chamber Music Competition with Amelie Warner. In addition, he was awarded a special prize in the Triomphe de l’Art competition, and second prize in both the Clara Schumann Competition and the International Mozart Competition Vienna with Stephanie Daelemans. His interpretation of art song was greatly enhanced by his participation in the 2023/24 Udo Reinemann International Masterclasses, which culminated in a recital in the Chamber Music Hall of La Monnaie de Munt, Brussels.
Also an accomplished ensemble singer, Graham has performed in all of Europe's major concert halls and regularly collaborates with esteemed ensembles such as Collegium Vocale Gent, Zürcher Singakademie, Zürich Chamber Singers, and Vocal Consort Berlin. He also sings with Resurgam, Sestina, Chamber Choir Ireland, Balthasar Neumann Chor, and Echo Vocal Ensemble. Upcoming highlights in the 2023/24 season include a tour of Bach’s Matthäuspassion and Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Vergine with Collegium Vocale Gent.
Parallel to his studies in neuroscience at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Graham studied singing with Lothar Odinius, John Norris and Burkhard Fritz. He has also benefitted from masterclasses with Claude Webster, Christianne Stotjin, Sir Thomas Allen, Arnold Bezuyen, Julia Kleiter, Peter Kooij, Philippe Herreweghe, and Jard van Nes.