Hälis Rünk Thomas
b. November 6, 1994 RakvereEstonian soprano Hälis Rünk Thomas is a rising young artist in the opera field. She graduated Tallinn Georg Ots Music School (voice) in 2017 and continued her vocal studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she received her bachelor's degree. During her 3rd year of study, she was admitted by the Erasmus program to study Italian bel canto in Verona, Italy. In addition, she has participated in orchestral projects and exchange programs in Madeira (Portugal), Stockholm (Sweden) and Cesis (Latvia).
Hälis resides in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. since 2021. She was enrolled at the College of Charleston Post-Baccalaureate Artist Residency in Performance (Opera) from 2021 until 2023. She made her operatic debut as Pamina from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with the College of Charleston Opera in February 2021. During their next season she debuted as Antonia from Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann. Both performances took place in the historic Sottile Theatre and were accompanied by Charleston Symphony Orchestra.
Hälis has been an active soloist with the Charleston Opera Theater since 2022. Her professional debut as Lieschen (Johann Sebastian Bach Coffee Cantata) took place during Piccolo Spoleto Festival in June 2022. She was a cover artist for Zerlina for their Don Giovanni (Mozart) production in October 2022. In 2023, she was the concert soloist for COT’s Grande Serenata, performing the role of Servilia from Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. During the 2023/24 season, she will portray the role of Gianetta from Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore.
In March 2023, Hälis was the soloist of Carnegie Hall’s ‘Link Up’ Program, in collaboration with Charleston Symphony.
Hälis is the recipient of Young Scholar’s Grant (Noore Õpetlase Stipendium) and Vest-Agder Grant. She has received stipends from Estonian Cultural Endowment and Estonian National Culture Fund multiple times.
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Hälis Rünk’s performance was moving, sung with great skill and style, and her emotional portrayal brought us through her father placing her in an asylum, the conjuring of the ghost of Antonia’s mother, and the beautiful love affair with Hoffmann. It was all part of a performance by the College of Charleston Opera along with the Charleston Symphony at the Sottile Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina.
Ann Peets. Estonian Soprano Hälis Rünk Enthralls Charleston, SC Audiences With Her Performance. – Free Estonian Word, March 15, 2023
© EMIC 2023
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