Admired for her unique vocal prowess, "…easily switch-hitting from high coloratura to Broadway belt” (New York Post), mezzo-soprano Melanie Long is making her mark creating a unique modern operatic career. This season, Ms. Long will create the role of Anna in Encompass New Opera Theater’s world premiere of ANNA CHRISTIE by Edward Thomas.
Ms. Long made her New York City Opera debut in 2016 with a power-house portrayal of Ava (Gardner) in the East Coast premiere of Stewart Wallace’s HOPPER’S WIFE and returned to NYCO in 2017 to portray Amore/Cupid (PYGMALION, Rameau). Her 2017 season also included the very notable world premieres of Julian Wachner's REV 23 with White Snake Projects and Michael Gordon's ACQUANETTA for the PROTOTYPE Festival. She also returned to Des Moines Metro Opera as Petra in the iconic Isaac Mizrahi production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. An exceptional singing actress, Ms. Long is a passionate performer of crossover, operetta and musical theater repertoire. She recently created the role of Pelegrino at the New York International Fringe Festival in the world premiere of THE PIG, THE FARMER AND THE ARTIST. Other notable crossover performances include Mrs. Segstrom (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC) with The Gallery Players and frequent cabaret appearances. Ms. Long was an Opera Works artist at English National Opera in 2013 and has performed throughout the United Kingdom, delighting audiences with her interpretations of Tisbe (LA CENERENTOLA), Berta (IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA) and Mercédès (CARMEN). Her much-lauded Edinburgh Festival Fringe appearances include the title role in MARIA STUARDA, Rosina (IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA) and DORABELLA (COSÌ FAN TUTTE). Ms. Long began her career as a soprano, making her professional debut at Des Moines Metro opera as a “buoyant Papagena” (DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE) (Opera News), and has performed some of her most beloved roles there, including OSCAR (UN BALLO IN MASCHERA) and ÄNNCHEN (DER FREISCHÜTZ). She earned her Master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music and makes her home in New York City. Artist Website: www.melanie-long.com Reviews:
Melanie Long, as the unrepentant sex-bomb, emerges impeccably balanced. -Financial Times As Ava, Melanie Long had both the brassy timbre for her bluegrass lament about the rigors of Hollywood and a chanteuse purr, as well as a fetching physique du role. -Classical Voice North America Mezzo-soprano Melanie Long, at home in a role many singers would shun...combined a pleasantly brassy voice with a bit of apt insouciance. -Musical America ...Melanie Long made a sultry Ava, contending with some of the score's most difficult music and doing it smoothly. She was also totally unself-conscious as she sang in two scenes while posing nude for Hopper and Jo. -Broadway World He is not subtle...the vain, posturing, quasi-Germanic art dealer Pelegrino (played to comic perfection by Melanie Long). - OPERA NEWS ...the standout was soprano Melanie Long in several cameos, easily switch-hitting from high coloratura to Broadway belt. - New York Post Melanie Long deserves extra kudos for her very funny and very different characterizations of the Farm Hand, Art Critic, and Art Dealer. - NYTheater.com The supporting cast should not go unmentioned; incredibly talented, at times they almost steal the attention away from Carmen and Don José's romance, particularly Melanie Long, whose mezzo-soprano voice goes beyond expectation and already sky-high standards. -Broadway Baby |
Upcoming:
Grant Wood Operas:Strokes of Genius Fan Prescott - 8 Woods and a Van Hattie/Nan/Nattie - Grant Wood in Paris Cedar Rapids Opera April 12-14, 2019 |
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