Meet the artists of Shakespeare in Song: Brian Major

Baritone Brian Major makes his OD debut in Shakespeare in Song (May 20-23)!

Hailed by critics for his “velvety voice” and “commanding stage presence”, baritone Brian Major recently appeared as Baron Douphol in La traviata with Madison Opera, Marcello in La bohème with Toledo Opera, and Amonasro in Aida with Theatro Municipal de São Paulo. He has won numerous awards and honors on the competition circuit, including 2nd Prize in the Harold Haugh Opera Vocal Competition, 1st prize in the Opera Ebony Vocal Competition, and 1st prize in the Harlem Opera Theater Vocal Competition.

This season, Brian will join Lyric Fest as a soloist for Speak Low (Biography In Music: Kurt Weill) and will appear as Ping in Turandot with Opera Grand Rapids.

Read more about Brian: brianmajorbaritone.com

Meet more Shakespeare in Song soloists:
Michelle Johnson (soprano)
Robin Steitz (soprano)
Peter Drackley (tenor)

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

Meet the artists of Shakespeare in Song: Peter Scott Drackley

Tenor Peter Scott Drackley returns for Shakespeare in Song (May 20-23)!

Praised for his “intense stage presence” (Opera Today) and “luminous head voice blooming with expansive and penetrating phrases” (Opera News), tenor Peter Scott Drackley last thrilled OD audiences as a soloist in last summer’s Al Fresco Arias. Recent appearances include singing the role of Scalia in Scalia/Ginsburg with Opera Carolina and Opera Grand Rapids, Rodolfo in La bohème with Opera Idaho, and Cavaradossi in Tosca with Opera in the Heights.  

This season, Peter will return to Des Moines Metro Opera to sing both Chekalinsky in The Queen of Spades and Pirelli in Sweeney Todd. He will also make his role debut as Radamès in Aida with Raylynmor Opera and appear as Cavaradossi in Tosca with Anchorage Opera.

Read more about Peter: peterscottdrackley.com

Meet more Shakespeare in Song soloists:
Michelle Johnson (soprano)
Robin Steitz (soprano)
Brian Major (baritone)

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

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]