
ILONA BAGELE
- Latvia
- Riga
Mezzosoprano soloist at the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, known for her versatility across classical, jazz, and pop genres.
Associate Professor at the University of Daugavpils, and also serves as the vocal consultant for Daugavpils Theatre.
Graduated in 1999 from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (vocal faculty), and earned her Master’s degree in 2003.
Joined the LNOB (Latvian National Opera and Ballet) soloist ensemble in 2003.
Her repertoire includes key roles such as Mercédès (Carmen), Ulrica (Un ballo in maschera), Ježibaba (Rusalka), Erda (Das Rheingold), Marcellina (Le nozze di Figaro), and many others.
International performances include tours to Macau, Hong Kong, Moscow (Bolshoi Theatre), Luxembourg, France, Sweden, Finland, among others.
Besides opera, she has performed solo concerts (e.g. My Life – Music), participated in festival programs and major productions like Cantando y Amando, which won the Grand Award for Year’s Best Production.
Has performed major choral/orchestral works: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Dvořák’s Mass in D, and more.
Collaborates with orchestras such as the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, Riga Orchestra, and appears in concert programs of Raimonds Pauls.
Festivals and concert appearances: Riga Opera Festival, Cēsis Music Festival, Inese Galante’s Summertime, Riga City of Culture program, and international festivals in Poland, Belarus, Finland, Estonia, and beyond.
Opera Soloist • Associate Professor • Vocal Consultant