Olusegun Soyemi is a Nigerian countertenor, dedicated to the performance and preservation of Early Historical music of the past.
He made his first debut in 2013 with Muson Choir as a soloist in Haydn’s “Seven Last Words of Christ”. In 2016, he appeared as a Call Singer in the production of “Requiem for the Living” written by Rexleigh Bunyard in Pretoria. He has appeared in various baroque concert throughout the city of Port Elizabeth and other part of South Africa. In 2017, he appeared as alto soloist in Bach’s Weihnactsoratorium with the Stellenbosch Schola Cantorum and Orchestra under the baton of Martin Berger. In 2019, he played the role of “Professor” in the production of “South Pacific” by Richard Rodgers directed by Prof. Barbara Moore in Port Elizabeth. He also appeared as a soloist at the 2019 South African National Art Festival – Faure’s requiem performed by the Byrdsongs Singers under the directorship of Simon Tibbs in the city of Grahamstown. He is an occasional soloist with the choir of St. Michael’s and All Angels Observatory, Cape Town.
He is dedicated to the performance and preservation of vocal music from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras, mostly the music of J.S Bach. He also appeared in the performances of romantic art songs and 19th to 20th century music. He worked with different chamber music ensembles in the city of Lagos between 2020 and 2021. He appeared in the performances of baroque cantatas with the Chamber Music Society of Nigeria in early 2020. He also appeared as a soloist in the production of “Eternal Source of Light” By George Fredrick Handel with Glowxy Chorale in Lagos, Nigeria.
In 2022, Olusegun made his first American debut as Huntsman in the production of John Blow’s “Venus and Adonis” with Cambridge Chamber Ensemble in Massachusetts. He was involved in the Amherst Early Music Festival in August 2022 where he sang the role of Paris in the production of “Judgement of Paris-1700” by Daniel Purcell. Other performances in the city of Boston includes collaborations with Boston Camerata: “WE’LL BE THERE! American Spirituals, Black and White, 1800-1900. The true story of “De Machaut” Douce Dame Jolie. Olusegun is currently a freelance singer in the sacred music world and in most orthodox churches in the city of Boston.
Olusegun Soyemi holds a bachelor’s degree in early music vocal performance from Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth where he studied with Lionel Van Zyl. He also holds professional diploma certificate (LTCL) from Trinity College of Music London in Vocal performance recital. He currently studies with Anne Azema as a Master’s student in Historical voice performance at Longy School of Music of Bard College, Cambridge Massachusetts.
