Susan Bullock

Susan Bullock’s unique position as one of the world’s most sought-after dramatic sopranos was recognised by the award of a CBE in June 2014.

Of her most distinctive roles, Wagner’s Brünnhilde has garnered outstanding praise leading Bullock to become the first ever soprano to sing four consecutive cycles of Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Royal Opera House under Sir Antonio Pappano. Appearances as Richard Strauss’ Elektra have brought her equal international acclaim and collaborations with some of the world’s leading conductors including Fabio Luisi, Semyon Bychkov, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Mark Elder and Edo de Waart.

In addition to her operatic achievements, Susan Bullock’s concert work has been extensive and diverse. She has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen and Zubin Mehta, for the Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde. Celebrated appearances have included the Last Night of the Proms in 2011 and a special appearance at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony. And on a lighter note, at Wigmore Hall and elsewhere, she enchanted audiences in her programme ‘Songs My Father Taught Me’ with pianist Richard Sisson, which ranges from Sondheim to Noel Coward and Burt Bacharach.

In recent seasons, Susan has explored new repertoire making debuts as Klytaemnestra (in Elektra) for the Canadian Opera Company under Johannes Debus, and with Oper Frankfurt in Claus Guth’s new production under Sebastian Weigle. Further debuts include in the role of Kostelnička (in Jenůfa) in her house debut for Norwegian Opera and Ballet 2017 and Grange Park Opera; both Gertrude and The Witch (in Hänsel und Gretel) for Opera North and Grange Park Opera, and as Mrs Lovett (in Sweeney Todd) for Houston Grand Opera and Bergen National Opera (2019); and acclaimed appearances with Scottish Opera include Mark Anthony-Turnage’s Greek at the Edinburgh International Festival and BAM and The Old Lady in their new production of Candide. Susan Bullock made her debut as an actor in Keith Warner’s unique staging of King Lear in which she played Goneril at the Grange Festival.

Other notable recent collaborations include Judith (in Bluebeard’s Castle) in Theatre of Sound’s award-winning re-imagination of the opera by Daisy Evans which has been mounted in Atlanta, New Zealand and at the Edinburgh International Festival since its first staging at London's Stone Nest.

Season 2023/24 Susan Bullock will return to Oper Frankfurt for the first revival of Elektra under their new music director Thomas Guggeis. She will also perform Kostelnička in Jenůfa at the English National Opera with Keri-Lynn Wilson March 2024.

Bullock’s significant discography includes Der Ring des Nibelungen with Oper Frankfurt under Sebastian Weigle on Oehms Classics (also available on DVD), and the title role in Salome with Philharmonia Orchestra under Sir Charles Mackerras for Chandos.

Beyond her performing career, Susan Bullock is committed to nurturing young talent. She maintains her association with Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía Madrid as a Visiting Professor and actively contributes to the National Opera Studio’s Sounding Board, conducting workshops and masterclasses throughout the UK.

Main source: HarrisonParrott. Updated October 2023

Listen to Susan Bullock as Brünnhilde at the Proms in Royal Albert Hall in 2011, conducted by Edward Gardner: