Prima Donna

Heralded as a “singing actress of near genius” (Sunday Times) who “has such natural grace and emotional eloquence that she cannot fail to touch the heart” (Independent), soprano Janis Kelly originated the title role of Rufus Wainwright’s “Prima Donna” in Manchester, with subsequent performances in London and Toronto.  At the opera’s debut, the Financial Times summed: “In the Callas-like title role Janis Kelly gives the performance of her life.”

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The lyric soprano Charlotte Ellett has earned distinction both on the concert platform and the opera stage. Her warm bright voice and natural musicianship make her ideal for a wide variety of repertoire. Following studies at the Royal Northern College of Music and the National Opera Studio, she began her career at Glyndebourne, following this with appearances as an Associate Artist at Welsh National Opera. Her subsequent operatic roles include Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Despina in Così fan tutte, Iphis in Jephtha and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Her repertoire also includes Mozart's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Poulenc's Stabat Mater, Bach's Christmas Oratorio and St Matthew Passion, Poulenc's Gloria and Rossini's Stabat Mater.

Gregory Dahl has attained a position of prominence among baritones of his generation with performances notable for richness of characterization and a remarkable vocal authority. Mr. Dahl’s performances in PELLEAS ET MELISANDE for Opera Theater of St. Louis were hailed for his “appealingly lyrical baritone [that] emphasized Golaud’s inner turmoil over his villainy”.

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Canadian tenor Colin Ainsworth has distinguished himself with his exceptional singing, remarkable diction, and diverse repertoire stretching from the Baroque to modern music. Acclaimed for his interpretations of the major Classical and Baroque operas, his many roles have included the title roles in Orphée et Euridice, Pygmalion, Castor et Pollux, Roberto Devereux, Albert Herring, and more. Also an avid supporter of new works, he has appeared in the world premieres of John Estacio’s Lillian Alling at the Vancouver Opera, Stuart MacRae’s The Assassin Tree at the Edinburgh International Festival, Victor Davies’ The Transit of Venus with the Manitoba Opera, and Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna at Sadler’s Wells in London and at the Luminato Festival. Read more >