Kishani jayasinghe biography channel
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Growing up in Sri Lanka, my artistic foundation was deeply rooted in my heritage, though the operatic world is predominantly Western.
Upon transitioning to the British stage, my Sri Lankan identity stood out in a mostly European and African dominated opera scene.
Breaking into this world meant overcoming scepticism and stereotypes.
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I hope to be remembered not only as a soprano who performed on renowned stages but also as someone who worked to bring diverse cultural aspects to Sri Lankan stages.I aim to be seen as a cultural pioneer who introduced opera to Sri Lanka and enriched our cultural landscape.
She has double master degrees in Law and Music, and is currently the Deputy Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre, fostering cultural understanding in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Blessed with "a gorgeous voice charged with the crushed velvet, vintage port and Jersey creaminess of the young Kiri te Kanawa" (Rupert Christiansen, Daily Telegraph UK) Kishani has a growing reputation as Asia's Golden Voiced Soprano.
My goal has always been to instil confidence, knowledge and the ability to communicate through music and expression, and inspire others to be their best artistic selves.
After over 20 years on stage, I have found deep fulfilment in teaching. Her portrayal of the priestess in the Dutch opera company Nederlandse Reisopera’s staging of the opera in Holland marked the first time a Sri Lankan had performed the role of the Sri Lankan heroine on the international stage.
Going back to her favourites, Kishani performed an aria by Violetta, a courtesan in Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’.
Through initiatives such as the Colombo Opera Festival, we have been able to showcase local talent and tell more diverse stories.
Accompanied by Johann Peiris on piano, Kishani performed popular airs such as ‘The Water is Wide’, a Scottish folk song describing the challenges of love, as well as the much loved ‘O Danny Boy’ and the foot-stomping ‘Granada’.
Following the brief intermission, the CMSC ensemble performed the three movements from ‘Sinfonia in G Major’ by Antonio Vivaldi followed by Kishani’s reprisal of her acclaimed role as Leila in Georges Bizet’s ‘The Pearl Fishers’ set in ancient Ceylon.
It focusses on perfecting the human voice, where the singer is both the instrument and the artiste. Dedicating the song to the jewels in her life – her parents, husband and two children – Kishani sang the role of Marguerite, who, after finding a casket of jewels, tries them on and imagines what Faust would think if he saw her now.
‘Summertime’, the perennial from George Gershwin’s opera ‘Porgy and Bess’ served as a perfect jazzy encore to round off a night of timeless classics enjoyed by all.
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My father played the cello, and our household was filled with orchestral sounds, while my mother’s side had a passion for opera.
Sunday lunches often echoed the voices of Maria Callas and other greats. Kishani has performed for HM Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace for HRH Prince Charles' 60th birthday celebrations, the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Malta, for Royalty and Heads of State, won top prizes at 6 International Vocal Competitions in Italy, France, Holland, Spain, Turkey and Finland and sung extensively in Europe and Asia.
Education plays a crucial role in overcoming these barriers.
The better you are in your craft, the more opportunities you can create. My British identity later facilitated my entry into European professional circles, though the journey was demanding.
Ultimately, my heritage gave me a unique perspective that blended cultural insights with operatic training.
Q:How do you think the performing arts, especially opera, can amplify women’s voices and stories in today’s world?
A: Opera, by its very nature, is highly specialised.
A national women's rowing champion, Kishani represented Asia as Group/Music Director at the International Olympic Association for 10 years. The pressure to maintain a certain image can be daunting but it is important to focus on the craft, and continue pushing for diversity and inclusion.
Q:What legacy do you hope to leave behind as a soprano – and as an advocate for women and cultural expression through the arts?
A: ‘Legacy’ is a heavy word because everything we do as artistes carries the weight of what we leave behind.
This means bringing out a full range of emotions from softness to power.
Since opera intertwines emotions with dramatic narratives, it is a powerful medium to amplify women’s voices.
Historically, opera has showcased strong female characters who portray strength, humanity and struggles that resonate deeply with audiences.
One memorable instance was when a makeup artiste, unprepared for a brown skinned Pamina in The Magic Flute, had to use my mother’s foundation for my stage look.
Despite these challenges, I had exceptional mentors and unwavering family support.
Being Sri Lankan added cultural richness to my performances while my bilingual upbringing helped me master multiple languages for opera.
Such platforms challenge stereotypes and spark important cultural dialogue by celebrating the multifaceted roles women play in society.
Q:In your view, what unique challenges and opportunities exist for women pursuing careers in opera and classical music?
A: Opera has traditionally been male dominated with male conductors, directors and composers shaping the portrayal of women, and limiting the creative autonomy of female artistes.
A significant challenge is the industry’s focus on appearance and age, which disproportionately affects women.
The pressure to maintain a youthful appearance is intense.
While initially a barrier, this heritage enriched my perspective, and brought a unique depth and resilience to my artistry.
Q: As someone who has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, what role has your identity as a Sri Lankan-British artiste played in shaping your career?
A: My identity has been both a challenge and an asset.
I often had to prove that my talent transcended my appearance. With a career that spans over two decades, she is a trailblazer in the world of opera; and she uses her platform to bring more diverse voices into the spotlight and amplify women’s stories.
Known for her ability to blend artistry with advocacy, Kishani is also a passionate educator.