Draft:Dina Iskander

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Rafik Halim (talk) 15:58, 25 March 2025 (UTC)

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Dina Iskander (دينا إسكندر) is an Egyptian soprano with an extensive background in vocal performance, vocal coaching and opera.

Early life and education

Iskander was born in Alexandria, Egypt. She studied voice under Sobhi Bidair, Violette Makar, Raouf Zeidan, Mona Rafla, and Caroline Dumas. In 2001, she continued her vocal training at St. Peter's School of Music in Brussels with Belgian teacher Katarina Moesen. In 2007, she earned a Grade 8 Certificate in Singing with Merit from the Royal Schools of Music.

Dina Alex Library

Dina has participated in numerous masterclasses with internationally acclaimed voice teachers. She was part of the Finnish-Egyptian Cultural Bridge for three years, studying under the baritone Konrad Jarnaut, who selected her to perform alongside instructors in a multi-disciplinary masterclass in 2016.

She attended a masterclass at the Berlin University of the Arts, where she trained under the American soprano Cheryl Studer.

Her operatic repertoire includes major roles such as:

First Lady in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte Fiordiligi in Mozart's Così fan tutte (Cairo Opera House) Michaela in Bizet's Carmen Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni (Bibliotheca Alexandrina) Euridice in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice (Kappabashi Opera Company, Tokyo & Bibliotheca Alexandrina)

In April 2024, she was selected for the role of Afira in Zarqa Al Yamama, composed by Lee Bradshaw, the first Saudi Arabian opera production in Arabic. This historic performance featured world-class soloists, including Dame Sarah Connolly, and was accompanied by The Dresden Sinfoniker under the baton of Spanish conductor Pablo González, with the Brno Philharmonic Choir. Iskander also participated in the "Maria Callas: In Memoriam" concert at the Cairo Opera House in December 2023, honoring the legendary soprano's 100th birth anniversary. The event featured excerpts from operas such as "Norma," "Turandot," and "Tosca," showcasing Iskander's versatility and deep appreciation for operatic heritage.

Dina has been featured in numerous opera galas at the Cairo Opera House and other venues. Her repertoire extends to musicals and traditional Egyptian songs, particularly works by Sayyed Darwish.

As a soloist, she has performed in oratorios and choral works, including:

Mozart's Requiem & Mass in C Minor Fauré's Requiem Beethoven's Choral Fantasy & Symphony No. 9 Handel's Ode to Saint Cecilia Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem Mendelssohn's Elijah Dvořák's Stabat Mater Elgar's The Light of Life and Palmeri's Messa di Tango

Contemporary and early music compositions

Iskander was a member of The Lions of Cairo , an ensemble specializing in early music, for ten years.

Her chamber music repertoire includes Schumann, Liszt, Chopin, Gershwin, and Debussy, among others. She has performed in prestigious events, such as the inauguration of Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the bicentennial celebration of Chopin, organized by the Polish government, with performances held worldwide, including at the Pyramids of Egypt.

Iskander is a music director, working in Arabic dubbing for Disney productions and Christian media since 1997. She is a regular speaker for "Opera Talk," organized by the Metropolitan Opera Live HD Broadcast board.

Since 2007, Iskander has been a Professor of Voice at The American University in Cairo (AUC) and is the Founder & Artistic Director of the AUC Opera Ensemble.