Biography

Irish soprano Eva Maria Kavanagh is emerging as one of Ireland’s most exciting young operatic talents. Currently completing her Bachelor of Music Performance at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, she is recognised for her musical sensitivity, stylistic versatility, and compelling dramatic presence.

In 2026, Eva performed the title role in El Gato con Botas by Montsalvage with RIAM Opera. Other recent operatic highlights include title role of Rosina in Haydn’s La vera Costanza , Sadie Dowling in the world premiere of Spirits Unsurrendered by Stephen McNeff, and Fiordiligi in scenes from Così fan tutte. She will also perform the title role in scenes from Norma, marking an exciting expansion into the bel canto repertoire.

Eva has appeared as a soloist with Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and has performed at the National Concert Hall, in the John Field Room, as well as at Farmleigh House, Killruddery House and at both the Austrian and German Embassies in Dublin. Her recital work has taken her to Italy and Germany, and she has been featured on RTÉ Lyric Live. She has performed in leading venues across Ireland, continuing to build a strong national profile.

A distinguished competition performer, Eva is the winner of the Irene Sanford Award and the Prize for Best Performance of German Lied at RIAM. She has won multiple first prizes at Feis Ceoil, including the Plunket Greene Cup, Thomas Moore Cup, Merchant Cup, and the Young Cup, and was a finalist in the Birr Festival of Music Trench Award in 2024. She is the first-ever recipient of the Bríd Phelan Emerging Talent Award at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, as well as a recipient of the John McCormack Bursary.

Passionate about both operatic and song repertoire, Eva continues to refine her artistry with a clear focus on establishing an international operatic career.