Biography
Early Life
Born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, mezzo-soprano Wilma Kvamme’s passion for music was nurtured from an early age. Her initial musical training began at the acclaimed Adolf Fredrik’s Music School and continued with her active participation in the renowned Adolf Fredrik’s Girls’ Choir, where she developed a strong foundation in vocal performance and ensemble singing.
Between 2011 and 2016, she further developed her vocal artistry as a member of the children’s choir at the Swedish Royal Opera, where she gained early stage experience in productions such as Puccini’s Turandot, Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.
Education Journey
Wilma pursued her formal music education at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in September 2024 under the guidance of Professor Sebastian Vittucci. Building on her success, she commenced her master’s degree in Song Interpretation in the fall of 2024, studying with Professor KS Angelika Kirchschlager.
Throughout her academic journey, Wilma has continuously refined her vocal technique, artistry, and interpretative skills, engaging in numerous masterclasses and collaborations with distinguished and international musicians and coaches, among them: Bernarda Fink, Thomas Hampson, Anne Sofie von Otter, Randi Stene, Iréne Theorine and many more.
Lied-Duo
Since 2023, Wilma has been performing as a duo with German pianist Felix Otto. Their artistic partnership has led to numerous successful performances and competitions. In 2024, they competed in the Groningen International Lied Duo Competition, showcasing their ability to interpret and present art songs with depth and sensitivity. Their collaboration continues to thrive, with plans to compete in the Sibelius Singing Lied Duo Competition in Finland in the spring of 2025.
The duo has also been recognized for their excellence with the Anny Felbermayer Scholarship, further affirming their promising career as interpreters of Lied repertoire.
Ongoing Career
Wilma is an active performer across Europe, frequently appearing in concerts and recitals in Vienna, Sweden, and Norway. Her operatic debut came in 2022 when she portrayed Hänsel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel at the Schlosstheater Schönbrunn in Vienna. The following year, she participated in Trippel Rossini, a production by Bergen National Opera at the National Stage in Bergen, Norway, where she performed selections from Il barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina) and La Cenerentola (Angelina).
In the season of 2024/25 she is and will continue to be a scholarship holder at the Heidelberg Frühling Liedakademie and works frequently with Thomas Hampson on different Artsong repertoire.
She frequently returns to her hometown to participate in Oratorios. In November 2024 she sang the Alto part in Mozart’s Requiem in Engelbrektskyrkan and earlier that year she provided her voice for the alto part in Bach’s St. John Passion in Oskarskyrkan. She also performed a staged version of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in Engelbrektskyrkan in 2019.
With a growing reputation as an expressive and versatile mezzo-soprano, Wilma continues to develop her career both as a soloist and as part of her Lied duo with Felix Otto. Her future engagements include further opera performances, song recitals, and international competitions.
For her upcoming engagements:
Repertoire
Roles:
E. Humperdinck:
Hänsel & Gretel (Hänsel)
W. A. Mozart:
Le Nozze di Figaro (Cherubino)*
Così fan tutte (Dorabella)*
Parts:
C. W. Gluck:
Orfeo ed Euridice (Orfeo)
C. Gounod:
Faust (Siébel)
G. F. Händel:
Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Sesto)
W. A. Mozart:
La Clemenza di Tito (Sesto)
H. Purcell:
Dido & Aeneas (Dido)
G. Rossini:
Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
G. Rossini:
La Cenerentola (Angelina)
J. Strauss:
Die Fledermaus (Orlofsky)
* in preparation
Cycles:
H. Berlioz:
Les nuits d’été Op. 7
A. Copland:
Emily Dickinson songs
G. de Frumerie:
Hjärtats sånger
E. Grieg:
Sechs Lieder Op. 48
A. Mahler:
Fünf Lieder
R. Schumann:
Frauenliebe und -leben Op. 42
J. Sibelius:
6 Songs Op. 50
J. S. Bach:
Magnificat BWV (II Soprano, Alto)
Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 (Alto)*
Johannes-Passion BWV 245 (Alto)
Weihnachtsoratorium BWV 248 (Alto)*
J. Haydn:
Stabat Mater (Alto)
G. F. Händel:
Messiah HWV 56 (Alto)*
K. Jenkins:
The Armed Man
W. A. Mozart:
Requiem K. 626 (Alto)
G. B. Pergolesi:
Stabat Mater (Alto)
* in preparation
Awards & Scholarships
Wilma’s dedication to her craft has been recognized with several distinguished awards and scholarships. Some of the notable recognitions include:
- Stockholm Culture Award (2024)
Celebrating exceptional vocal artistry that enriches Stockholm’s cultural scene.
- Anny Felbermayer Foundation Scholarship (2024)
Awarded jointly with Felix Otto, highlighting their exceptional Lied duo performance.
- Lilla Lillierosstipendiet (2023)
Awarded for outstanding vocal achievements.
- Tom Wilhelmsens Foundation Scholarship (2022)
Recognizing artistic excellence and potential.
- Anders Sandrew Foundation Scholarship (2022)
Given to promising young musicians in Sweden.
Photo credits: Paola Granado Németh | Katarina Novčić