Factfile: Dr Suzanne Murphy, soprano

RIAM appointment:

Will work primarily with advanced singing students and will also conduct an opera class.

Known for:

Her interpretation of the major roles of Verdi, Puccini and Bellini.

She joined the Welsh National Opera in 1976 and has appeared in many title roles for company.

In 1986, she made her European debut at the Vienna Staatsoper, and has since sung at the Munich Oper, Opera de Lyon, the Aix festival, Basel Opera, Staatsoper Berlin, and La Monnaie, Brussels.

In the United States, she has sung with the New York City Opera and Washington Opera.

Lives:

In Wales and commutes to the RIAM for two days each week.

The college:

Royal Irish Academy of Music

Founded:

In 1848 when a number of enthusiasts in Dublin formed an association to found an academy to "provide systematic instruction in instrumental music".

Among them were John Stanford (father of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford), RM Levey (the leading Dublin violinist at the time), the Reverend Charles Graves (later Bishop of Limerick) and Joseph Robinson, a "backbone of 19th century musical life in Dublin".

Today:

The RIAM is a 32 county institution, providing musical education from beginner to postgraduate level.

Organises local examination centres throughout Ireland.

Based:

Westland Row, Dublin; 17 new classrooms just added; Dag Hall renovated.

Director:

Pianist John O'Conor