Biography
Nicole Franco Ralón is a Guatemalan mezzosoprano. She completed her first classical music studies at the Del Valle University of Guatemala and the Germán Alcántara National Conservatory of Music. She took part of various ensembles in her country, such as Vocalis, Ensamble Prosodia and Voces del Valle and participated in various international choral festivals. Selected for the World Youth Choir 2019 edition in France and Portugal representing Guatemala and Central America, she was awarded "Artist of the Year” by the Premio Artista del Año organization at its XXXIX edition right after.
She finished her Specialized Secondary Education Diploma in Music in 2020 and shortly after she participated in the Académie Baroque Internationale 2021 in France as the first Guatemalan in the program under the artistic direction of conductor Iñaki Encina Oyón.
She completed her studies at the Conservatoire National Rayonnement Régional Pierre Barbizet de Marseille with her teacher Magali Damonte to obtain her Diploma of Musical Studies in Lyrical Singing with congratulations from the jury and 'very good' mention unanimously in July 2023.
In August 2023, Nicole performed the role of Erato in Il Parnaso Confuso, W. Gluck's opera as part of L'Académie Baroque Internationale 2023, where «her low notes were deep and her phrasing developed with admirable musicality» (Olyrix). Shortly after, she was part of Exzellenzlabor, a masterclass under the artistic direction of Hedwig Fassbender where she perfected her repertoire and stage skills.
She performed the role Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas by Purcell as a member of Ensemble Diderot at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in February 2024, where «she had an amber timbre and a well-projected voice with sound bass that captured attention from her first intervention 'Wayward sisters' during which she affirms her authority» (Forum Opéra).
Her career consists on varied repertoire that resonates with her vision as an artist and performer. From singing Amor Brujo by de Falla at the Concert de restitution of Sébastien Boin's Orchestra and Opéra fait son Cinéma amongst the activities of Festiv'Opéra Sausset-les-Pins, to Concert Guitarra Para Todos (Seguidillas by Falla and Sor) at the Alliance française du Guatemala with David Franco and alto solo in the Messiah by Händel.
In 2024, Nicole became a full scholarship holder for the Jeune Scène Lyrique program of the Arcal Lyrique opera company 2024. She was part of the Utopia Ensemble for Castor and Pollux at the Opéra Garnier and a tour performing Henry Purcell's Indian Queen concerts under the direction of Teodor Currentzis.
In April 2025, she got awarded the 3rd prize in the Concours International de Chant Lyrique de Béziers in the opera category. Her upcoming performances include the role Tierra in Los Elementos, a baroque zarzuela by Antonio Lieteres as part of the Jeune Orchestre Baroque de l’Europe, the role of Autunno in La Gloria di Primavera by Scarlatti and the role of Mercedes in Carmen by Bizet produced by Artist Opera.
