About Ann-Christine
The voice carries the whole person
At age four, I was given special permission to sing in the church girls' choir. As a teenager, I saw Frederica von Stade on television and knew I wanted to stand on that stage. Since then, my voice has carried me through fourteen countries, from Drottningholm Court Theatre to the Royal Swedish Opera, from Oper Bonn to the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto — where maestro Gian Carlo Menotti himself invited me after hearing me in Stockholm. Today, I share everything I've learned with a new generation of singers.
Born 27 June 1963 in Linköping, Sweden.
Working languagesPerforms and teaches in Swedish, English, German, Italian and French.
My Approach to Voice Teaching and Vocal Development
After four decades of experience, I have honed my ability to listen and observe. I can quickly identify where tensions lie and demonstrate how to release them. It is essential to listen to each student's natural gifts in order to develop them further. Regardless of level, the foundational work in breathing and the speaking voice is crucial — technique follows naturally, when the voice feels safe.
“Stravinsky's sinuous lines emerged with spontaneity and sweetness... she was a touching Anne.”
Career
A career spanning four decades
From Monteverdi to Stravinsky — fourteen countries, thirty roles, one voice.
Opera houses, ensembles, and residencies
Ensemble Soloist
Oper Bonn
1997/98 – 2001/02
An ensemble soloist while the house built its complete Ring cycle, one opera a year from 1997 to 2000, and then played the cycle complete through to 2002. Her own parts: Woglinde in Das Rheingold and Götterdämmerung, Helmwige and Ortlinde in Die Walküre.
Principal Guest Artist
Folkoperan, Stockholm
1995–2009
Recurring leading soprano engagements
Early-career engagements
Drottningholm Court Theatre
1986–1993
Under Arnold Östman (conductor) and Göran Järvefelt (director)
Resident Soloist
Linköping Symphony Orchestra
Ongoing
Current repertoire focus: the song cycles of Strauss, Berlioz, Mahler and Berg
“Anne Trulove in The Rake's Progress was a role that fitted me so perfectly — it was like putting a hand into a glove.”
Career Highlights — Four Decades on the International Stage
Anne Trulove
1993The Rake's Progress — Stravinsky
Festival dei Due Mondi, Spoleto
Conductor: Steven Mercurio
At the personal invitation of Gian Carlo Menotti and Steven Mercurio after hearing her in Stockholm
Donna Anna
1996–2007Don Giovanni — Mozart
Folkoperan · Gothenburg Opera · Royal Swedish Opera · Det Kongelige, Copenhagen · Oper Bonn
Folkoperan: rehearsals from October/November 1995, premiered 23 January 1996, played until 1997. The Royal Swedish Opera 2002, the Gothenburg Opera 2003–2006/07 with Kjell Ingebretsen conducting in 2004. Det Kongelige in Copenhagen 2007 — two or three performances as a jump-in.
First Niece
1994Peter Grimes — Britten
Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, Brussels
Premiered 19 April 1994. Production by Willy Decker, conductor Antonio Pappano. Susan Chilcott sang Ellen Orford.
“Soprano Ann-Christine Larsson gives a tremendous performance as the capable, controlling, guilt-ridden, and ultimately paranoid Isabella.”
Principal Roles
Maja GräddnosPelle Svanslös(Björn Hallman)
Royal Swedish Opera1988–1990
Around 40 performances in Rotundan. Björn Hallman wrote the music and conducted; directed by Knut Hendriksen. Alternated in the role with Lena Hoel and Iwa Sörenson.
AmarantaLa Fedeltà Premiata(Haydn)
Drottningholm Court Theatre1993
20, 22, 25 and 26 May 1993. Conductor Per Borin, director Ivo Cramér. Nina Stemme sang Diana in the same production.
MimiLa Bohème(Puccini)
MicaëlaCarmen(Bizet)
Folkoperan1996
MicaëlaCarmen(Bizet)
Oper Bonn2001/02
IliaIdomeneo(Mozart)
Oper Bonn · Bühnen Bern1998–2001
Oper Bonn, 22 November 1998 – 16 June 1999, director Christof Loy, conductor Lothar Koenigs. Bühnen Bern 2001.
SusannaLe Nozze di Figaro(Mozart)
Oper Bonn1997–1999
Two runs: 26 September 1997 – 18 June 1998 and 4 October 1998 – 3 April 1999.
The CountessLe Nozze di Figaro(Mozart)
NannettaFalstaff(Verdi)
Oper Bonn · Oldenburgisches Staatstheater · Gothenburg Opera1998–2007
Oper Bonn: premiered in spring 1998, then played across several seasons under the house's repertory model, with new singers rehearsed into the production over time (documented run 26 September 1998 – 24 May 1999). Oldenburgisches Staatstheater: a jump-in on two or three occasions around 2000, in Stefan Herheim's production, with Fredrik de Jounge as Fenton. Gothenburg Opera: one jump-in, probably 2006/2007 — the other singer acted the role on stage while she sang the part from the side of the stage, visible to the audience.
MarzellineFidelio(Beethoven)
IsabellaSömnkliniken(Unander-Scharin)
Gothenburg Opera2009
Libretto by Alexander Ahndoril. Engaged one month before the premiere, rehearsed musically and scenically from the first day, and sang the preparatory dress rehearsal, the dress rehearsal and the world premiere. Confirmation was given at 10am on each day.
Poppea and DamigellaL'incoronazione di Poppea(Monteverdi)
Norrlandsoperan1993
Both roles in the same production, at every performance.
Adriana LecouvreurAdriana Lecouvreur(Cilea)
Ystad Opera1994
Woglinde & WaldvogelDer Ring des Nibelungen(Wagner)
Dalhalla1996, 1999
Dalhalla's first Wagner festival in 1996 — Woglinde, one of the Rhinemaidens. At the 1999 festival, both Woglinde and Waldvogel (Siegfried).
WoglindeDas Rheingold & Götterdämmerung(Wagner)
Oper Bonn1997–2002
Das Rheingold 1997/98, 1998/99 and June 2000; Götterdämmerung 10 September 2000 – 24 June 2001. The complete cycle was then played through to 2002.
Role in preparationCio-Cio-San — Madama Butterfly (Puccini). Arias, duets and ensembles performed in concert; not yet performed as a staged role, and the one she is most actively seeking.
Concert and oratorio repertoire
Richard StraussFour Last Songs
- ·2016 — Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá — conductor Joachim Gustafsson — Bogotá
- ·2022 — Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá — conductor Joachim Gustafsson — Linköping Concert Hall (Crusellhallen)
- ·2024 — Plzeňská filharmonie
Gustav MahlerSymphony No. 4
- ·1997 — Royal Stockholm Philharmonic — conductor Paavo Järvi — Stockholm Concert Hall
- ·2015 — Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá — conductor Enrique Diemecke
- ·2016 — Norrköping Symphony Orchestra — conductor Michael Francis — Stockholm Concert Hall
Giuseppe VerdiMessa da Requiem
- ·1994 — St. Matthew's Church, Stockholm
- ·2014 — Norrköping Symphony Orchestra — conductor Michael Francis
Antonín DvořákRequiem, Op. 89
- ·2011 — Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra — conductor Joachim Gustafsson(Swedish Radio recording)
Antonín DvořákStabat Mater
- ·2015
Johannes BrahmsA German Requiem
- ·1996 — Singapore Symphony Orchestra — conductor Okko Kamu — Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore
Gabriel FauréRequiem, Op. 48
- ·1999 — Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
Felix MendelssohnHear My Prayer
- ·1999 — Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
Ludwig van BeethovenSymphony No. 9
- ·2013 — Borås Symphony Orchestra
Hector BerliozSummer Nights
- ·2015 — Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá — conductor Joachim Gustafsson
- ·2016 — Nordiska Kammarorkestern
- ·2020 — Dala Sinfonietta
Alban BergSeven Early Songs
- ·Season-opening concert — Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá(Season opener)
- ·2013 — Aarhus Sinfonietta(Swedish Radio recording)
Richard WagnerWesendonck-Lieder
- ·conductor Niels Muus
W. A. Mozart & Richard StraussArias
- ·2024 — Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá — conductor Joachim Gustafsson — Auditorio León de Greiff, Bogotá(21–22 June 2024)
Maurice RavelShéhérazade
- ·2025 — Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá — conductor Niels Muus(27–28 June 2025)
Verdi & PucciniVioletta (La traviata) and Liù (Turandot)
- ·Concert only(Arias and scenes performed in concert; neither role has been performed on stage.)
Bellini, Rossini & VerdiDesdemona — concert programme
- ·2017 — Borås Symphony Orchestra(25 April 2017)
Gala concerts and special appearances
2026
Summer Concert — Opera Meets Musical
Marstrandsoperans Vänner · Societetshuset, Marstrand
Two acts with Karin Funk, Tomas Lind, Christopher Wollter and Marco Stella; musical direction Anders Ottosson
2022–2023
Opera Gala, Marstrand
With Kristina Hammarström, Mathias Zachariassen, Marco Stella; conductor Joachim Gustafsson
2021
Gala Concert — 400th Anniversary of Borås
Borås Symphony Orchestra
2019
New Year's Concert
Dala Sinfonietta
2016
New Year's Concert, De Geerhallen
Norrköping Symphony Orchestra · Norrköping
2011
Opera Gala
Borås Symphony Orchestra
Ensemble & early career
Oper Bonn (1997–2002)
Photo: Thilo Beu
Kate PinkertonMadama Butterfly(Puccini)
Oper Bonn1997–1999
Two runs: 2 November 1997 – 26 June 1998 and 9 January – 13 June 1999.
GretelHänsel und Gretel(Humperdinck)
Oper Bonn1997–2002
Premiered 1997, then played continuously through her ensemble years.
Helmwige & OrtlindeDie Walküre(Wagner)
Oper Bonn1998–2002
Both parts in the same production. Documented runs: 30 August 1998 – 20 June 1999 and 22 June – 2 July 2000.
MerabSaul(Händel)
Oper Bonn1997–2002
Documented run: 27 May – 8 July 2001. Directed by Dietrich Hilsdorf.
Drottningholm, the Opera Academy & early engagements (1986–1993)
AmorOrpheus & Eurydice(Gluck)
Zweiter KnabeDie Zauberflöte(Mozart)
CherubinoLe Nozze di Figaro(Mozart)
University College of Opera, Stockholm1989/90
University College of Opera production at Södra Teatern, Stockholm.
PaminaDie Zauberflöte(Mozart)
University College of Opera, Stockholm1990/91
University College of Opera production at Confidencen, with a guest performance at Gävle Theatre.
Donna ElviraDon Giovanni(Mozart)
Royal Swedish Opera1991/92
A student showcase during her studies — not a house engagement.
Girello (title role)Il Girello(Melani)
Vadstena Academy1991
With Susanne Rydén — reconstruction of the 1668 Roman dramma burlesco
Awards, Scholarships and Distinctions
1984
Linköping Cultural Scholarship
Municipal cultural scholarship — the first recognition of her artistic talent
1986
Jenny Lind Scholarship
Sweden's most prestigious vocal scholarship. Toured Sweden and the USA in 1987.
1987
Christina Nilsson Fund Scholarship
Awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music
1988
Friends of Drottningholm Court Theatre Scholarship
Awarded for promising contributions at Drottningholm Court Theatre
1987–1992
Royal Swedish Academy of Music Scholarships
Recurring scholarships from Sweden's highest musical institution
1995
Court Singer Nicolai Gedda's Scholarship
Personal scholarship from one of Sweden's most distinguished opera singers
1994
Ystad Opera Scholarship
2017
Linköping Wall of fame
Inducted into the City of Linköping's Wall of fame for contributions to music and culture
Opera Education and Vocal Training
1984–1985
Musicology
Stockholm University
1985–1987
Vocal Soloist
Royal College of Music, Stockholm (KMH)
1987–1992
Voice/Music Drama, degree 1992
University College of Opera, Stockholm (now SKH)
2021–2022
Pedagogy, Psychology, Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Ethology
Linköping University
2021–2023
Vocal Methodology
Royal College of Music, Stockholm (KMH)
“The performance was a highlight of the festival... All performers were fantastic, including Ann-Christine Larsson as Anne.”
An artistic tradition
A teaching lineage that runs back to Kerstin Meyer — carried for four decades on stage, now passed forward in the studio.
- Court Singer
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies · Mentors, Inspirations and Vocal Influences
mentor and Rector of the Stockholm Opera Academy during her studies
rector of the Opera College, mentor and close friend
- Court Singer
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies · Mentors, Inspirations and Vocal Influences
collaborated during early career years
- Professor
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies · Mentors, Inspirations and Vocal Influences
Royal College of Music, Stockholm
professor of voice
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies · Mentors, Inspirations and Vocal Influences
voice teacher
- Kammersängerin
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies · Mentors, Inspirations and Vocal Influences
- Professor
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies
Mozarteum Salzburg
- Maestro
Mentors, Inspirations and Vocal Influences
engaged her for Spoleto 1993
Mentors, Inspirations and Vocal Influences
conductor at Drottningholm Court Theatre
Mentors, Inspirations and Vocal Influences
director at Drottningholm Court Theatre
- Court Singer
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies
- Court Singer
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies
On the relationship
Court Singer Kerstin Meyer
Masterclass Teachers and Formative Studies · Mentors, Inspirations and Vocal Influences
mentor and Rector of the Stockholm Opera Academy during her studies
rector of the Opera College, mentor and close friend
Teaching Experience in Stockholm and Linköping
Private studio, Stockholm & Linköping — voice pedagogy, classical technique, repertoire coaching (2000–present)
Kulturskolan — voice and piano (2002–2005)
Canta, Salzburg — assistant voice teacher (2019 and 2024)
Royal College of Music — individual voice instruction (2021–2023)
Vadstena Vocal & Piano Academy — visiting voice faculty (2022 and 2026)
