Estonian Mezzo-soprano Kai Rüütel studied in at the Georg Ots Music School in Tallinn and then at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague and the Dutch National Opera Academy, graduating from the Masters programme with Special Honours. Whilst studying in the Netherlands she was supported by Eesti Kultuurkapital. Rüütel won First Prize in the National Competition for Young Classical Singers in Estonia three years in a row in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

In 2009 Rüütel became a member of the prestigious Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, making her ROH debut as Venerable Lady in The Gambler and covering the role of Blanche. In the 09/10 season she sang Rosette Manon and Flora La Traviata and also performed these roles with the company when it toured to Japan with Antonio Pappano in September 2010.

In December 2010, Rüütel stepped in at the Royal Opera House for an indisposed Christine Rice as Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel receiving critics’ praise for her performance. The Independent wrote “Kai Rüütel as Hänsel bristles with the grumpiness unique to boys on the cusp of puberty, her voice crisp and forthright”. Other roles in the 2010/11 season included Second Lady Die Zauberflöte conducted by Sir Colin Davis, and Dorothée Cendrillon. She also covered Madame Dangeville Adriana Lecouvreur, Charlotte Werther and Dunyasha The Tsar’s Bride. Recent concert engagements include Mahler Rückert Lieder at the Cadogan Hall.

Rüütel has participated in masterclasses with Graciela Araya, Mark Tucker and Paula Chateauneuf, Ryland Davies, Muriel Corradini, Patricia MacMahon, Kenneth Montgomery, Carolyn Watkinson and Meinard Kraak. She currently studies with Jon Thorsteinsson.

Kai Rüütel’s engagements in the 11/12 season include Meg Page Falstaff for the Royal Opera House in a new production by Robert Carsen, Hansel Hansel & Gretel for Scottish Opera, also a new production, and Marchesa Malibea Il Viaggio a Reims in a special gala performance for the Royal Opera House. Next season’s engagements and beyond include Wellgunde Der Ring des Nibelungen for the Royal Opera House, and debuts with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the St Louis Symphony Orchestra, and Théâtre du Capitole Toulouse and Dallas Opera.

Kai Rüütel is represented by Intermusica.
April 2012 / 356  words. Not to be altered without permission. Please destroy all previous biographical material.

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Hänsel / Hänsel and Gretel / Scottish Opera
Cond. Emmanuel Joël-Hornak
“At the forefront of this were the voices of Hansel (Kai Rüütel) and Gretel… both of whom were exceptionally strong.”
Jonathan Goat, The Journal, March 2012

“Kai Rüütel and Ailish Tynan made a fine pair as the title characters. They worked very well as brother and sister, sharing one another’s strengths… Ultimately their parts are essentially about duet work and it was possible to feel an immediate bond between their voices. Each had a warm resonance that was perfect for the exquisite beauty of the score.”
Kelvin Holdsworth, Opera Britannia, February 2012

“Kai Rüütel and Ailish Tynan make a well- blended title pair.”
Andrew Clark, Financial Times, February 2012

“Kai Rüütel and Ailish Tynan are an endearing title pair, vocally well matched and … they had a sweet complicity between them.”
Kate Molleson, The Guardian, February 2012

Mahler Rückert-Lieder / University of London Symphony Orchestra / Cadogan Hall
Cond. Daniel Capps
“The young statuesque Estonian mezzo, Kai Rüütel... performed with warmth, dramatic conviction and a pleasing hint of sensuality.”
Seen and Heard International, July 2011

Jette Parker Young Artists Summer Performance / Royal Opera House
“the mezzo Kai Rüütel displayed mutual sensitivity, with thrusting top notes and fluent coloratura... though Rüütel’s soft-grained pliancy irresistibly suggested Octavian.”
Yehuda Shapiro, Opera, September 2011

“… mezzo-soprano Kai Rüütel (Falliero) is evidently a highly musical and truly dramatic mature artist.”
Musical Criticism, July 2011

“Kai Rüütel was soon delivering her vocal rockets with great confidence. The tone was warm and rich and the range very malleable... [and] her glamorous stage presence and good voice will ensure a successful career.”
Opera Britannia, July 2011

Hänsel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel
Royal Opera House / Cond. Rory Macdonald / Dir. Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser

“The rough and tumble of sibling loyalty is beautifully realised. Stepping in for an indisposed Christine Rice, Kai Rüütel as Hänsel bristles with the grumpiness unique to boys on the cusp of puberty, her voice crisp and forthright.”
Anna Picard, The Independent, January 2011

Flora in Verdi’s La Traviata
Royal Opera House / Cond. Yves Abel / Dir. Richard Eyre

“Kai Rüütel’s sympathetic, emotionally perceptive and tactfully diplomatic Flora Bervoix” Alexander Campbell, Classical Source, July 2010

Jette Parker Young Artists Summer Concert Royal Opera House / Cond. Dominic Grier and Steven Moore “The Octavian of the statuesque Kai Rüütel showed promise of a very fruity and luscious mezzo...” Anthony Lias, Opera Brittania, July 2010