Hi, I’m Heldur.
I am an Estonian tenor, doing all sorts of crazy stuff in opera, concert and theatre.
I have been performing for most of my life. I made my debut at the Estonian National Opera as a child, and music has remained at the centre of my life ever since. After studying at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, I returned to Estonia and joined the Estonian National Opera as a soloist in 2019.
Over the years, I have sung roles ranging from Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and Pelléas in Pelléas et Mélisande to Tony in West Side Story, Alfred in Die Fledermaus and Alfredo in La Traviata.
I had an honour to receive one of the highest awards an Estonian theatre artist could have – the Estonian Theatre Union Music Award 2026.
I am also interested in what happens outside the traditional boundaries of classical singing. Music production, technology, photography and visual storytelling have all become part of the way I think about art. I enjoy moving between disciplines and discovering how one can influence another.
“His childlike sincerity and his ability to convey the bright essence of Mozart’s music to the listener were captivating.”
“His highly intelligent use of dynamics, together with a voice that is perfectly focused and free, is almost shocking and utterly hypnotic. In his performance, even the simplest musical material becomes truly multi-layered and compelling.”
“The extensive and extremely painfully charged themes, performed by Heldur Harry Põlda’s beautiful tenor voice, made a striking impression and penetrated to the very core.”