Icelandic award-winning soprano Álfheiður Erla Guðmundsdóttir has gained recognition for her distinctive musical presence and thoughtful artistry. Comfortable both on the opera stage and in intimate, conceptual recital settings, she is drawn to a wide range of repertoire and known for her expressive depth and personal approach to music-making.

Álfheiður began her operatic career at the Berlin State Opera and has since appeared on major stages across Europe. As an ensemble member at Theater Basel, Álfheiður has garnered acclaim for her interpretation of various roles ranging from Monteverdi’s Drusilla to Verdi’s Gilda as well as Messiaen’s L’ange in St. François d’Assise and Philip Glass’s Einstein on the Beach.

Álfheiður’s versatility in her innovative approach to her craft has made her a sought-after collaborator with composers and other performers.
Notturno, Álfheiður’s reimagining of Brahms’s Intermezzo in collaboration with pianist Víkingur Ólafsson was released by Deutsche Grammophon in 2023. An exploration of the most intimate edges of the human voice, Poems, Álfheiður’s compositional debut and personal collaboration with composer Viktor Orri Árnason, was also released by Deutsche Grammophon in 2023. Described as a “breathtaking creation” the album is a sonic journey including some of Iceland’s rarest poetry of the past and present.

As a 2025/26 Rising Star of the European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO), Álfheiður will be offering audiences a deeply immersive experiences that transcend the boundaries of traditional recital formats with pianist Kunal Lahiry through major halls such as the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and Philharmonie de Paris. The tour includes the world premiere of María Huld Markan’s composition, commissioned by ECHO for the occasion. On the opera stage she is interpreting the title role of Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland at Theater an der Wien which will be premiered in November 2025.

A multidisciplinary artist at heart, Álfheiður is also a photographer and filmmaker whose visual works complement and expand her musical storytelling. Her 2022 performance Apparition, created with pianist Kunal Lahiry, was hailed as “a unique and unforgettable art event” and nominated for Event of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards.

Amongst other collective collaborations with contemporary composers include the world premiere of Bernhard Lang’s Der Hetzer at Theater Dortmund and Persona, Anda Kryeziu’s operatic adaption of Ingmar Berman’s iconic film as well as performances of Hania Rani’s arrangements of John Dowland songs.

Álfheiður has collaborated with an array of visionary conductors who share her passion for innovation and expressive depth, including Michele Spotti, Laurence Cummings, Ivor Bolton, Alessandro de Marchi, André de Ridder, Daníel Bjarnason and Alondra de la Parra. As well as taken part in productions under the direction of some of the most influential figures in contemporary theatre and opera, including Romeo Castellucci, Christoph Marthaler, Susanne Kennedy, Franck Chartier (Peeping Tom), Benedikt von Peter, Antú Romero Nunes, and Vincent Huguet.

Álfheiður studied at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, where she refined her vocal artistry under the mentorship of leading pedagogues. Her distinctive musical voice and artistic courage have earned her notable recognition, including being named Singer of the Year in the Classical and Contemporary Music category at the 2021 Icelandic Music Awards. That same year, she represented Iceland at the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition and was selected for Renée Fleming’s SongStudio at Carnegie Hall, highlighting her growing international presence in both operatic and recital repertoire.

Álfheiður is represented worldwide by TEZ ARTS and by the Boris Orlob management.