Sept. 25, 2016

by Sandy Brotman

Nicolette Oppelt has been principal flutist for the past 8 of her 16 years with the Amadeus Orchestra.

Born in the Netherlands to a father who was an oboist and conductor and to a mother who was an opera singer and voice teacher, Nicolette wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps on the oboe. Dad said that at age 11 her lungs needed 3 more years of development. But, serendipity stepped in, as it so often does: She heard the Mozart Concerto for flute and harp, and was hooked.

The family moved to the United States, where her father became music director of the Charlotte Symphony and Nicolette studied at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She loves the beautiful, shimmering quality and the timbre of the flute. Additionally the depth that it adds to the overall sound.

Among her favorite pieces where the flute gets to shine: Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8, and Debussy’s Afternoon of a Faun, which opens with a gorgeous flute solo.

In addition to her performing with Amadeus, Nicolette is principal flute with the Washington Concert Opera, The National Gallery Orchestra, and the Virginia Chamber Orchestra. She is also a regular with the National Philharmonic (tenured) and is a frequent substitute with the National Symphony and the Maryland Symphony.

She is passionate about her hobbies: biking, cooking, and reading novels. Where and how she finds the time could be the subject of another interview.