Sofia

Bagulho

Portuguese Soprano

based in London and Portugal


About

Lisbon-native soprano Sofia Bagulho began her musical studies at the age of 9 at the Conservatório de Música D. Dinis with flute, under the guidance of Ricardo Alves. Later, at the age of 16, she started her singing studies at the Lisbon Conservatory with Ângela Silva. Sofia is now a master’s student at the Royal College of Music in London, studying voice with Amanda Roocroft, Rafaela Albuquerque, and Jo Ramadan. She is a Sussex Scholar.

In the past seasons, Sofia has been selected to perform with the Calouste Gulbenkian Collaborative Choir, performing some of the most famous choir works, such as Messiah by Handel and Mozart’s Requiem. Sofia has sung under Frédéric Chaslin, Vitor Pablo Pérez, Ed Garner, Nathalie Schutzman, Sakari Oramo, Dominic Ellis-Peckam, Paulo Lourenço and Hillary Campbell. She has also taken part several recordings for BBC Sounds with the ORNCTLCC and sung as a soloist with choral societies across the UK. She is an active member of the BBC Symphony Chorus, performing regularly at Southbank Festival Hall, Barbican, Royal Albert Hall among others.

With only a year of singing she secured a place at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and a choral scholarship with the Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Chapel Choir conducted by Ralph Allwood. She was also part of the TL Chamber Choir. There she completed a bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance under the guidance of Joan Rodgers, Jon Christos, and Robert Bottriell graduating with First Honours, being awarded TL Silver Medal of the Vocal Department. She has participated in several masterclasses with distinguished musicians such as Lynn Eustis, Ana Paula Russo, Aylish Tynan, Susan Bullock, Rafaela Albuquerque and Fiona Kimm.

Sofia has been awarded with several renowned prizes and awards. She was the first-prize winner of the Bendada Music Festival Concerto Competition and the Terras de Santiago International Music Competition. She has also been a prize winner at the Medici Music Competition, the Birmingham International Music Competition, and the Euterpe Music Awards. In February 2023 Sofia was invited by the Bendada Music Festival to perform in Boston at the Goethe-Institute and at the Boston University. Sofia was also a Prémio Jovens Músicos 2024 Semi-Finalist and participated in Longhope’s Opera Don Pasquale as cover for Norina and Chorus. Sofia also teaches flute and singing alongside her studies and collaborates with Bendada Music Festival.

Terras de Santiago 2022

Concert at Palácio da Ajuda with Bendada Music Festival 2023

Terras de Santiago Competition 2022

Armida in “Armida” by Haydn, RCM Opera Scenes 2024

“Sofia´s voice is beautifully resonant and she has a very good breath control” - Joan Rodgers

“Sofia is a natural performer who thrives on the stage and concert platform and is already garnering international experience and enjoying a good deal of success both at home and abroad.” - Robert Bottriell

“A bela e envolvente voz de Sofia Bagulho abraça o público de forma radiosa. É uma voz lírica, com uma certa leveza e virtuosismo próprios da juventude, e que tenderá para um soprano lírico no sentido mais glorioso dessa Fach.” - Ana Paula Russo

“She is a hugely talented singer who has enormous potential and is already equipped with all the necessary skills and aptitudes that will enable her to have a successful career as a professional performer.” - Robert Bottriell