CHLOE LANKSHEAR
Chloe is an upcoming and versatile coloratura soprano based in Australia and Germany, with an extensive performative career alongside some of Australia's best artists and organisations. She began her consort career in Canberra as a founding member of Luminescence Chamber Singers (2015 - 2019). Her professional debut was with The Song Company in 2017 for multiple tours and seasons with her operatic debut following shortly after in 2018. Her operatic debut was with State Opera South Australia in their season of Brett Dean's Hamlet in their extended vocal affects chorus under the direction of Neil Armfield. From there she went on to forge a career as a freelance soloist whilst finishing her studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (2020).
From 2018 Chloe was a permanent member of The Choir of St James' Kings Street and performed with the choir on multiple tours and as a soloist from 2018. During that she Chloe was also invited to perform with Australia's electric Baritone David Greco in National Capital Orchestra's performance of R. V. William's 'To the Sea' Symphony. In 2019 That year Chloe was a featured artist with Pinchgut Opera in their recorded performance of 'Allegri's Miserere' in their program 'The Splendours of Venice'. In November of that year and under the direction of reputed Soprano Christina Douglas, Chloe debuted her first lead role in Handel's opera Acis and Galatea alongside Tenor Nathan Bryon and Baritone Andrew O'Connor.
In 2020 Chloe returned to Adelaide Festival with The Song Company in their performance of 150 Psalms with some of the worlds best choirs including Nederlands Kamerkoor, The Tallis Scholars, and Det Norske Solistkor. Later that year she recorded a series of mini madrigals with Pinchgut Opera and featured in their operatic film 'A Delicate Fire' which featured the music of Barbara Strozzi and starred Taryn Fiebig and Anna Dowsley. Chloe also recorded with partner and classical guitarist Heathcliffe Auchinachie as part of Phoenix Central Park's 'behind closed doors' online music series during the Sydney lockdowns. Concluding 2020 she was a featured soloist with The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for their Noel Season and with Pinchgut Opera for their performance of Messe de Minuit.
In 2021 Chloe premiered a new work by Paul Stanhope, 'Requiem', at City Recital Hall with The Sydney Chamber Choir, and recorded the work in 2022. She was also a featured with The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for two of their programs - Handel's Dixit Dominus and their performance of selected works by Hildegarde von Bingen. She toured with Pinchgut Opera for their performance of Monteverdi's Vespers and was later named the inaugural Taryn Fiebig Scholar after the beloved Australian Soprano passed away earlier that year. She won the two year position and debuted her first operatic role with the company as Clarine in their performance of Rameau's Platee under the direction of Neil Armfield.
2022 began with Chloe appearing as a featured soloist at Bendigo Chamber Music Festival alongside renowned trumpeter David Elton in their performance of Bach's Soprano and Trumpet Cantata 'Jauchzett Gott'. Soon after she appeared at Ukaria as part of Adelaide Festival with Pinchgut Opera in the title role of Acis and Galatea which she later performed under the direction of Lindy Hume at Bermagui Music Festival. She was also a featured oratorio soloist with performances of Mozart's Requiem with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Handel's Messiah with Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and Mahler's Symphony no. 4 with Western Sydney Philharmonic. She also performed with The Australian Chamber Orchestra as part of their tour 'The Crowd and I'. She concluded the year in Pinchgut Opera's production of Medee in the role of Nerine under the direction of Justin Way. Chloe was a finalist in the Bel Canto operatic singing competition and was awarded the Decca Prize by Sir Richard Bonynge.
2023 has brought many career highlights including being a featured soloist with The Australian Chamber Orchestra at their yearly February festival at Tarrawarra Museum of Art, and debuting with Sydney Symphony Orchestra for their performance of Bach's Magnificat under the direction of Maestro Stephen Layton at the Sydney Opera House. She also debuted her first Bach's St John's Passion with Christchurch St Laurence under the direction of Sam Allchurch, and then later with Canberra Symphony Orchestra with Elizabeth Scott. Chloe finished her position at Pinchgut Opera as the Inaugural Taryn Fiebig Scholar with her role of Fortuna in their May season of Legrenzi's opera Giustino.
Chloe has been honoured to have worked with some of Australia's most treasured artists including Matthew Greco and Muffat Collective, Erin Helyard, Harpist Emily Granger, The Australian Haydn Ensemble, Bach Akademie Australia, Baroque harpist Hannah Lane, Violinist Richard Tognetti, Recordist Genevieve Lacey, and many others. Her repertoire ranges from Baroque to operatic repertoire, and exploring modern consort music including composers such as Elliot Gyger, Saarahio, and Ginastera, and Carter. She is a particular advocate for the inclusion of Australian composers when collaborating with other artists.
From November 1st 2023 Chloe is splitting her time between Germany and Australia. She will be in Australia in March 2024 for engagements with Adelaide Festival and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.