Bora Balci

Turkish baritone Bora Balci studied at the Hacettepe University State Conservatory in Ankara, where he graduated in 2010. After completing his studies, he took master classes with Tom Krause at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Ewa Czermak in Koszęcin (Poland), Gökçen Gültek, Mustafa Yurdakul and Eralp Kiyici.

Bora won prizes at several national and international competitions, including the Grand Prix at the fifth Halina Halska-Fijałkowska Competition in Wrocław (Poland) and second prize at the second National Young Soloists Competition in Izmir (Turkey). Shortly after the latter competition, he got invited to join the studio programme at Opera Studio Nederland. During this period, he sang roles such as Marcello (La bohème), Fiorello (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Lancelot (Being Arthur) and King Melchior (Amahl and the Night Visitors). He completed the studio programme in 2012.

His repertoire also includes roles such as Masetto (Don Giovanni) and Titye/Apollon (La Descente d'Orphée aux enfers). He also sang the role of Orpheus in Orpheus in der Oberwelt: Eine Schlepperoper – a theatre production by the Berlin-based andcompany&Co. This production won the Prix Europe for best radio drama and toured through France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. At Dutch National Opera, he sang as a soloist in the world premiere of Gavin Bryars' Requiem. In addition to performances in the Netherlands, he frequently sings in Germany and Turkey as well.

Since 2015, Bora has sung as a freelancer in the Chorus of Dutch National Opera. He received a permanent position in 2022.