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Diva Christina Collier

Born and educated in Oxford, Christina began singing solos in concerts in the University chapels where her repertoire included the Fauré Requiem, Jeptha by Handel, Vivaldi’s Gloria, the Requiem by Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Petite Messe Solennelle by Rossini sung in the Oxford cathedral, Bachianas Brasileras No 5 by Villa Lobos and Tatiana in Eugene Onegin in concert.

Christina went on to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Professor Walther Gruner.  On leaving she played the roles of Peep-Bo in the Mikado and Celia in Iolanthe by Gilbert and Sullivan on a tour of the Netherlands and the UK with The World of Gilbert and Sullivan. She returned to Oxford to play Susanna in Nina by Paisiello.

Her next engagement changed the course of her career, when she was chosen to understudy the role of Mabel in the Broadway production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Drury Lane Theatre in London.  Christina took over the role half way through a performance just after the show had opened.  She won praise from critics and audience alike and was invited to join a prestigious London agency.  

Diva Christina Collier

This launched her career in the West End of London where she went on to create the role of Lydia in Bashville in Regents Park Open Air Theatre, Christine in the original Phantom of the Opera in Stratford East (later Japan and then back to the Shaftesbury Theatre London), Doria in Café Puccini at the Sydmonten Festival held by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Eliza in My Fair Lady and Jenny Lind in Barnum at the Manchester Opera House and then the Victoria Palace Theatre (also filmed and shown on BBC Television.)

Christina was then invited to play Esther in the film Mr. Love Executive Produced by David Puttnam and shown in the West End and on Channel 4.

Eileen Battye, Michael Crawford & Christina Collier star in the West End musical Barnum

Eileen Battye, Michael Crawford & Christina Collier star in the West End musical Barnum

Peter Straker & Christina Collier star in the original Phantom of the Opera musical. Pic: Daily Express

Other opera and operetta roles included Lauretta in Dr Miracle by Bizet, the title role of Cendrillon by Pauline Viardot at the Cottesloe in London’s National Theatre, Minetta in the Chatte Metamorphosée by Offenbach, Constance in The Water Carrier by Cherubini, Salesgirl in Der Silbersee by Kurt Weill, Diana in Orpheus in the Underworld and Fiorella in the Brigands by Offenbach.  

Christina performed at the Holders Festival in Barbados starring Luciano Pavarotti, where she created the role of Narcissa in Inkle and Yarico.  With the company Music Theatre London, she played the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro, by Mozart, Violetta in La Traviata by Verdi and Second Lady/Boy in The Magic Flute by Mozart in Hamburg, which was filmed and distributed by Arte.

In Lyon she played Frasquita in Carmen by Bizet; Nadia in La Veuve Joyeuse by Lehar and the title role in Rose Marie by Friml.  

‘Christina Collier brings a lovely, bell-like voice to the role of Christine….’   Daily Telegraph

Peter Straker & Christina Collier star in the original Phantom of the Opera musical. Pic: Daily Express

Recordings include the Phantom of the Opera, Love Me Tonight (duets and arias from the opera and musicals repertoire), The Domine Deus from Poulenc’s Gloria for the London show of Torvill and Dean and the album of Bashville.  She regularly recorded for BBC Radio 2 and was a soloist on Friday Night is Music Night.  With the BBC Concert Orchestra Christina recorded programmes at the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Golders Green Hippodrome and the Fairfield Halls Croyden.

In concert Christina has sung with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London,  Hong Kong and extensively throughout Europe, including as the soloist in Une Nuit a Broadway (a programme of Broadway musicals in Nice) with the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra.  She has taken part in programmes for the Conseil Général 06 and Music Festivals throughout France.

Christina Collier also sings at private events internationally.

 

Christina Collier stars in Une Nuit a Broadway in Nice's Theatre de Verdure

Christina Collier stars in 'Une Nuit a Broadway' in Nice's Theatre de Verdure

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