Icelandic soprano Jóna G. Kolbrúnardóttir is an acclaimed performer currently based in Iceland. She received her foundational vocal training at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 2018. Jóna then pursued advanced studies at the Royal Danish Opera Academy,
earning her Master’s Degree with honors in 2021 under the expert guidance of Helene Gjerris and Susanna Eken.
Since returning to Iceland, Jóna has been an active performer. She has performed with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra on numerous occasions. Her notable appearances include the Young Soloist concert in 2017, the 2018 entenary celebration of Iceland’s sovereignty, and the annual New Year’s concerts in 2020. In 2021, she was scheduled to perform Mahler’s 4th Symphony, but the concert was unfortunately canceled the day before due to COVID-19. She appeared again with the orchestra for their annual Klassíkin okkar concerts in both 2021 and 2023 and also in 2023 for their release concert for A prayer to the Dynamo where she performed Odi et Amo by Jóhann Jóhannsson, an event that was streamed live on Stage+.
Jóna has taken on two significant roles with the Icelandic Opera: Gretel in Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel in 2018 and Anna in Daníel Bjarnason’s Brothers in 2022. She made her debut at the Royal Opera in Copenhagen in 2020, performing as Papagena in Barry Kosky’s renowned production of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte.
Jóna has been featured in numerous concert series across Iceland, performing both solo recitals and collaborative works. She frequently appears as a soloist with Iceland's major choirs, most recently performing in Bach’s Johannes Passion with Kór Langholtskirkju, conducted by Magnús Ragnarsson.
Jóna has a deep passion for performing Lieder, drawn to the unique blend of poetry and music that both inspires and captivates her.She has performed many Lied recitals and remains dedicated to exploring and expanding her repertoire in this genre.
Reviews
Jóna G. Kolbrúnardóttir, like the other singers at the concert, performed six songs and did so excellently. She has a captivating stage presence and is open and sincere… I had never heard the song Hjarðmærin by Ragnar H. Ragnarsson to the poetry of Steingrímur Thorsteinsson before, but Jóna and Guðrún Dalía delivered it beautifully, conveying the pastoral mood of the piece wonderfully to the audience.
-Arndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir for Heimildin
(Ár íslenska einsöngslagsins 2023)
Every now and then, beautiful passages emerged, especially memorable was the singing during the memorial service for lost friends and the lullaby that Anna sings to her son—a classic English nursery rhyme that touched the heart. Jóna sang it exceptionally well.
-Silja Aðalsteinsdóttir for Forlagið
(Brothers 2022)
Kristín and Jóna were delightful siblings—mischievous, lively, and curious like happy children at all times—and they sang brilliantly.
-Magnús Lyngdal for Morgunblaðið
(Hänsel und Gretel 2023)
The bright soprano of Jóna G. Kolbrúnardóttir shone in "Ich folge dir gleichfalls" and "Zerfließe mein Herze." Jóna performed the arias with confidence, and her delivery was very musical.
-Magnús Lyngdal for Morgunblaðið
(Johannes Passion 2024)
Kammeróperan
Jóna is a co-founder of the Chamber Opera (kammeroperan.is),
a newly established opera company in Iceland dedicated to fostering smaller opera projects. In addition to her role in the company, Jóna is a member of its chamber quartet, which has already made a significant impact on the Icelandic music scene through numerous performances.
With the Chamber Opera, Jóna has brought to life the roles of Despina in
Mozart's Così fan tutte and Gretel in Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel. In February and March 2025, she will take on
the role of Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Reykjavík City Theater.
Scholarships and prizes
Jóna is a recipient of the Rotary scholarship both in Reykjavík and Vienna,
the Vilhjálmur-Vilhjálmsson scholarship and the Guðlaugar Bjargar Pálsdóttur scholarship.
She was the winner of the 2017 Young Soloists Competition in Iceland with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and a prize winner at the internationalen Sächsische Sängerakademie in Torgau.