Biography

 

Finnish Mezzo-Soprano, Jeni Packalen, is known for the luminous tone and rich character of her voice. Her emotionally engaged interpretations have moved audiences as she has shifted towards more demanding and dramatic repertoire.

In the summer of 2008 Jeni made her professional debut in West Coast Kokkola Opera Festival under the baton of Sakari Oramo. In the autumn of 2009, she made her debut in the role of Ulla in Isän tyttö (Daddy’s girl) at Finnish National Opera where, since then, she has performed in several operas.

In the season 2019/20 Jeni made very successful debut as Flosshilde in Wagners acclaimed production of Das Rheingold with Esa-Pekka Salonen. In the season 2018/19 she made her debut as Suzuki in a Finnish National Opera`s new production of Puccini´s Madama Butterfly directed by Ioshi Oïda. After a successful debut in Verdi´s Requiem in 2016 and Don Carlo as a Princess Eboli in 2018 she has firmly moved towards more dramatic repertoire including Mezzo-soprano roles from Wagner, Verdi and Strauss.

In the 2008 Lappeenranta Singing Competition Jeni won second prize, and in 2009 she was awarded a stipend by Finland’s Richard Wagner Cultural Association in Bayreuth.

Jeni has studied at the Metropolia University of applied science where, in 2010, she graduated with excellent marks and at the Sibelius-Academy where, in 2020, she graduated with honours, in Singing.