Maria trained at the Arts Educational School, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and The Royal College of Music, studying singing with Marion Studholme, repertoire with Robert Sutherland and Piano with Peter Element, gaining her ARCM and dip. RCM diplomas. Maria maintains a varied performing career spanning musical theatre, theatre, opera, concert, recording, cabaret, and dance.
In musical theatre and theatre, Maria’s credits include numerous lead roles including ‘Christine’ opposite Michael Crawford in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at Her Majesty’s Theatre; ‘Jenny Lind’ in ‘Barnum’,‘Maria Vittoria’, in ‘Which Witch’ at the Piccadilly Theatre; ‘Ruthie’ in The Royal National Theatre production of ‘Lady in the Dark’,‘Laundress’ in ‘Yerma’ at The National Theatre Studio; ‘Dvora’ in ‘Golem’ at The New End Theatre Hampstead; ‘Eliza Doolittle’ in ‘My Fair Lady’, New Zealand tour; ‘Deanna Durbin’ in ‘Two Smart Girls’ at ‘The Queen Elizabeth Hall’; ‘Maria’ in ‘The Sound of Music’ at ‘The Everyman’. Maria also received critical acclaim and a ‘Time Out’ award for her performance of ‘Melinda Coverdale’ in ‘A Judgement in Stone’, with Sheila Hancock at The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith.
In opera, Maria has also performed widely, including: ‘Musetta’ in ‘La Boheme’ and ‘Despina’ in ‘Cosi Fan Tutti’ for Music Theatre London, in London and Amsterdam; ‘Musetta’ in the film version of ‘La Boheme’, for Channel 5, ‘Street Scene’ and ‘Katya Kabanova’ with The English National Opera, ‘Bess’ in ‘Porgy and Bess’ with the Bath Philharmonia Orchestra.
Maria also featured in The Royal Opera House documentary ‘Trouble at the House’ for BBC 2 singing ‘Vissi d’Arte’.
www.mariakesselman.co.uk
