Deirdre Masterson

Deirdre Masterson comes from a musical family from Gorey, Co. Wexford.She Began Her Music and vocal studies at a young age at the Wexford School of Music, where at the tender age of twelve she made her Wexford Festival debut singing the ‘spirit’ in ‘Dido & Aeneas’, by Purcell. Deirdre became a regular performer at the Wexford Opera Festival over the years performing in ,precitals, concerts, operatic scenes and the main operatic attractions throughout this Internationally critically acclaimed festival.

Deirdre has won all major competitions in Ireland in Lieder, French, Opera, Oratorio, and holds the title of being one of the youngest singers ever, to win the overall vocal award in Dublin Feis Ceoil – ‘ The Gervase Elwes award, along with being the overall winner of the coveted Junior rose bowl.

Deirdre won a scholarship to study at the Leinster Opera Studio in Dublin for four years under the direction of Dr Veronica Dunne, where she excelled in all examinations taken in music, singing and drama studies. Awards achieved include winner of the ESB bursary in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Winner of the TSB Award in 1998 and 1999. Deirdre was also a recipient of the Fitzwilton award, which is a national award recognising outstanding achievement in ones chosen profession.

International auditions were held in Munich where Deirdre was one of four awarded a scholarship to study with the renowned Wagnarian soprano Astrid Varney. Deirdre’s studies have taken her all over the world, where she has received coaching from much respected and sought after tutors in America, Canada, Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, & Wales.

She made her operatic debut at eighteen with Opera Ireland playing the roles of “Sandman & Dewfairy,” in Humperdincks “Hansel & Gretel.” Other roles played with this company include “Papagenna” -Mozarts “Magic Flute,” “Barbarina” –Mozarts “Marriage of Figaro,” and “Ines” in Verdi’s “Il Trovatore, all the above were performed under the age of twenty one years.

Deirdre is a much sought after soloist in concert halls throughout Europe. Her recording achievements include the award winning album ‘Faith of our Fathers’, the specially commissioned album to commemorate the 1798 rebellion ‘Who fears to Speak’, & the original casting of the first Irish dance musical ‘To dance on the Moon’ are among a few.

Deirdre is equally at home on the musical and theatrical stage as the operatic stage. This is more than evident in her televised performance on RTE’s proms singing the music of Rogers and Hammerstein. Her repertoire extends from “Maria in West side Story,” to “Desdemona’s Otello.” Similarly she is very familiar with television and radio broadcasts, where recently Deirdre through national radio opinion poll was recognised as one of the voices of the century.

Her more recent operatic work includes successfully playing the lead role in “Die Fledermaus,” in Ireland to critical acclaim. Deirdre currently runs a stage School in her native Town Gorey, Co. Wexford, where she constantly promotes and encourages young talent from the locality.