Meet the artists of Shakespeare in Song: Robin Steitz

Soprano Robin Steitz makes her OD debut in Shakespeare in Song (May 20-23)!

A 2020 OperaDelaware Young Artist, soprano Robin Steitz was set to make her OD debut in the canceled 2020 Festival productions of The Coronation of Poppea (as Amore and Valletto) and The Tales of Hoffmann (covering the role of Olympia).

A 2018 and 2019 Tanglewood Music Center Voice Fellow, Robin’s recent appearances include singing the role of Amore in Orfeo ed Euridice with Opera Bel Cantanti, Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Baltimore Concert Opera, and the title role of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience with the Victorian Lyric Opera Company. This season, she’ll join Finger Lakes Opera’s summer festival as a Tomita Young Artist, where she will appear as Berta in Il barbiere di Siviglia.

Read more about Robin: robinsteitz.com

Meet more Shakespeare in Song soloists:
Michelle Johnson (soprano)
Peter Drackley (tenor )
Brian Major (baritone)

Plus: Meet Delaware Shakespeare artists Newton Buchanan, Annie Fang, James Kern & Emily Schuman

Meet the artists of Shakespeare in Song: Michelle Johnson

Soprano Michelle Johnson makes her OD debut in Shakespeare in Song (May 20-23)!

Praised for her “velvety and pliant” voice and “extraordinary breath control and flawless articulation” (Bachtrack), Michelle returned to Teatro Grattacielo for the 2020-2021 season to sing the role of Umberto Giordano’s Fedora and made her Opera Tampa debut as Leonora in Il trovatore. Other recent performances include singing the role of Elsa in Lohengrin with Opera Southwest, the title role in Aida with Opera Idaho, and Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana with Madison Opera.    

A winner of numerous prestigious competitions including the Grand Prize of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, next season Michelle is slated to perform with the Allentown Symphony, Florentine Opera, and Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Read more about Michelle: michellejohnsonsoprano.com

Meet more Shakespeare in Song soloists:
Robin Steitz (soprano)
Peter Drackley (tenor)
Brian Major (baritone)

Plus: Meet Delaware Shakespeare artists Newton Buchanan, Annie Fang, James Kern & Emily Schuman

Meet the stars of Al Fresco Arias: Hannah Ludwig (mezzo-soprano)

We’re delighted to welcome back mezzo-soprano HANNAH LUDWIG for Al Fresco Arias (April 24 & 25)!

HIGH NOTES AND HEALING: Praised for a tone that is “chocolaty and large, yet with focus and agility” (New York Times), Ludwig recently wowed OD audiences with Songs from a Distance, her virtual Sunday Spotlight with pianist Laura Ward exploring the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Songs from a Distance is one perspective of a performer in crisis,” said Hannah. “The separation between performers and the stage means a loss of their purpose, spirituality, and passion… this program is designed to reflect the impacts on a performer’s mental health, their community, the city in which they reside, and the loss of loved ones and friends.” Featuring music by Schubert, Argento, Boyle, and Musto, the recital garnered raves from patrons, who called it “haunting” and “absolutely stunning”.

ROLE CALL: A 2018 Academy of Vocal Arts graduate, Hannah recently appeared as Rosina in Opera Louisiane’s streaming production of Il barbiere di Siviglia, as well as debuted with Dallas Opera as Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte (2019) and with Opera Philadelphia as Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor (2018). For the 2021-22 season, she’ll make her Portland Opera and role debut as the District Attorney in Anthony Davis’ Pulitzer Prize–winning opera, The Central Park Five. 

LIVE FROM THE FIRE ESCAPE: We’re delighted to present Hannah live and in person with Al Fresco Arias on April 24 & 25! Expect to hear her perform favorites from Il trovatore, Carmen, and more. [Read more: hannahludwig.com]

Meet the stars of Al Fresco Arias: Andrew Bidlack (tenor)

Tenor ANDREW BIDLACK makes his OD debut in Al Fresco Arias (April 24 & 25)!

Scaling new heights: Named one of Opera News’ “top 25 brilliant young artists” (2015), the Pittsburgh native and San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow earned accolades for his recent performances as Beppe in The Met’s production of Pagliacci (2018) and Andy in Stonewall with New York City Opera (2019). But it was his star turn as Rob Hall in Everest, a role he debuted with Dallas Opera in 2015 and reprised to great acclaim last season with Chicago Opera Theater, that began his ascent as one of opera’s most wanted tenors. Opera News raved: "Tenor Andrew Bidlack sang with exceptional tonal beauty and expressive intelligence… The role's tessitura seems as cruelly high as Mt. Everest's summit, but Bidlack's soaring upper register negotiated the role fearlessly." Other career highlights include singing the roles of Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Santa Barbara, Lensky in Eugene Onegin with Dallas Opera, and Bill in Flight with Des Moines Metro Opera.

Modern marvel: Equally at home with both classic and contemporary repertoire (he created the roles of Irving Tashman in Ricky Ian Gordon’s Morning Star at Cincinnati Opera and Greenhorn/Ishmael in a developmental production of Moby-Dick at San Francisco Opera), Andrew recently made his European debut as Private John Ball in Welsh National Opera’s In Parenthesis and is slated to star as the Doctor in Dallas Opera’s world premiere of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly for the 2022/23 season.

“I enjoy doing new work because it’s vital to say something to audiences about where we are now,” he said in an interview with Opera News. “Creating a role gives me a new level of confidence as a singer—I find I’m not as daunted by the challenges of the nineteenth-century repertory.” 

Live from the fire escape: We’re delighted to introduce Andrew to OD audiences with Al Fresco Arias on April 24 & 25. Expect to hear him perform favorites from La traviata, Don Giovanni, plus a few surprises. Tickets are selling fast—secure your spot today! [Read more: andrewbidlack.com]

Meet the stars of Al Fresco Arias: Toni Marie Palmertree (soprano)

Soprano TONI MARIE PALMERTREE makes her OD debut in Al Fresco Arias (April 24 & 25)!

A heavenly voice: A graduate of San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Adler Fellowship program (where she appeared as the Voice of Heaven in Don Carlo and High Priestess in Aida), Toni Marie’s star began to rise after she stepped in to cover the role of Cio-Cio-San in the company’s production of Madama Butterfly (2016). San Francisco Classical Voice raved of her performance, “The young soprano not only met the challenge, but she claimed her place among the finest vocal interpreters of the role...” Other notable appearances include the title role of Suor Angelica in West Bay Opera’s Il trittico (2017), her return to San Francisco Opera as Liù in Turandot (2017) and Nedda in Pagliacci (2018), and the title role of Luisa Miller at the Lyric Opera of Chicago (2019). She also joined the roster of The Metropolitan Opera for their 2019/20 season productions of Madama Butterfly and Il Trovatore.

The show must go online: With theaters still closed, the Fleetwood, PA, native embraced live-streaming, producing and performing in The Heart of a Woman, a digital concert celebrating women composers with pianist Ellen Rissinger. “I have missed the nervous excitement anticipating an opening night for the past year,” she posted on Instagram about the show. “This one feels no different because I'm singing for a purpose... I sing because people need to escape for just a few minutes… This year hasn't been easy, but that is what will make my art even better. So many artists long to connect with their audiences, and I'm excited to have that opportunity.”

Live from the fire escape: We’re delighted to introduce Toni Marie to OD audiences (in person!) with Al Fresco Arias on April 24 & 25. Expect to hear Toni Marie perform favorites from Madama Butterfly, Don Giovanni, Tannhäuser, and more! [Read more: tonimariepalmertree.com]