Born in Belfast, Emma Morwood studied at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Northern College of Music, where she was a major award winner. Described as ‘radiant’ (The Sunday Times), ‘enchanting’ (The Times), ‘superlative’ (Opera Magazine) and ‘brilliant’ (The Telegraph), she has performed with leading orchestras and conductors across Europe.
Recent concert appearances include Brahms’ German Requiem with the Ulster Orchestra. Other highlights include in Handel’s Messiah in Halle, Germany with a 450-voice International chorus; soloist and presenter for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Viennese Gala Concert tour around Scotland; Mozart C Minor Mass in Malaga and Fuengirola; Schubert Mass in A flat with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Haydn Creation with the Ulster Orchestra, conducted by Daniele Rustioni; Strauss Vier letzte Lieder at Glasgow City Halls; Barber’s Knoxville (Meadows Chamber Orchestra); Berg’s Sieben frühe lieder at the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow; Schoenberg String Quartet no. 2 with the Edinburgh Quartet; and Verdi Requiem (Edinburgh Royal Choral Union).
Her operatic roles include Claudia in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi with Opera Up Close in a UK tour; Italian Singer in Strauss’ Capriccio with the Philharmonia at Edinburgh International Festival; Despina in Irish National Opera (INO) production of Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte; the lead role of Iris Robinson in Abomination: a DUP Opera by Conor Mitchell, with the Belfast Ensemble; and Musetta in Northern Ireland Opera‘s (NIO) critically acclaimed production of La bohème.
Recordings include Douglas Knehan’s Concerto No.2 with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the soundtrack of Oscar nominated movie 45 Years. Emma is the inaugural Associate Opera Artist for Edinburgh International Festival and is active in music education, designing and delivering outreach projects that introduce young people to opera. She is also vocal coach for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus. Alongside her musical career, Emma is a qualified paraglider pilot. She has two children, Lucas and Orla, and enjoys indoor bouldering, open water swimming, and dressmaking.