SUSAN STACEY SOPRANO
Soprano | Opera | Classical
SUSAN STACEY
" ...Susan Staceys Abigaille was a revelation. Her Part 2 Scena and Aria - a huge sing, was beautifully textured between megalomanical fury and pathetic loss. She coloured the sotto voce notes and was suitably aggressive in the lower register ... one to watch ."
Opera Now (Rosie Johnston)
" ... Stacey is a real dramatic find, with a big, heroic voice and fearless attack"
The Independent (Mark Pappenheim)
"...I recently heard her as Leonore in Fidelio, The voice is indeed powerful, a beautiful sound, finely produced, and she negotiated the pitfalls of this most difficult of dramatic soprano roles. She is also a natural stage animal and a convincing actress". FEATURE The Singer Magazine Della Couling
BIOGRAPHY
Past. Present. Future.
Susan studied as a vocal scholar at The Royal College of Music in London, winning the Tagore Gold Medal for the most outstanding student of the year, also winning the 1997 Bayreuth Bursary - the UK’s award for the outstanding young Wagnerian singer in the country, and in 1999 represented England in ‘BBC Cardiff Singer of the World’.
Her operatic repertoire includes Abigaille, Odabella, Lady Macbeth, the title roles in Turandot, Aida, La Gioconda, Iris, Norma, and Beethoven’s Fidelio in both 'Fidelio' and ‘Leonore’ & Wagner’s Senta (Flying Dutchman).
She has made debuts in Cape Town (Fidelio), The USA (La Gioconda - Florida Grand Opera), ENO - Der Rosenkavalier, and Abigaille (Nabucco), and in Rio de Janiero; Abigaille (Nabucco), her debut at the ROH as Odabella in Attila (conducter Mark Elder) and for Opera North; Abigaille (Nabucco), and in London at the Richmond Theatre; Abigaille (Nabucco), and Lady Macbeth (Verdi; Macbeth) in Scotland at Haddo House Opera, in concert in the UK and for Newcastle's Northern Opera.
Susan has sung at the BBC Proms (Die Walkure -conductor Donald Runnicles) and has recorded live performances including Mahler’s 8th Symphony at the Royal Albert Hall. Other notable opera roles have also included the title role in the UK professional premiere in modern times of Iris (Mascagni), Manon Lescaut (Puccini) both for Opera Holland Park, and the UK premiere of Sarka (Janacek) for Garsington.
Susan is excited about the range of new roles recently offered to her and looks forward to future performances as Britten's Lady Billows (Albert Herring) and Elizabeth 1st (Gloriana), a one woman opera by Lee Hoiby, further recital CDs and E-Recordings of 20th and 21st Century English an American Song (including a premiere recording of music by British composer Phyllis Tate).
Susan continues to study with her teacher Patricia McCaffrey in NYC.
REPERTOIRE
Opera | Concert | Oratorio
Current repertoire and that which is in preparation
Repertoire 2019 * in preparation
Verdi : Nabucco | Abigaille
Verdi: Attila | Odabella
Verdi: Macbeth | Lady Macbeth
Ponchielli: La Gioconda | Gioconda
Puccini: Turandot | Turandot
Beethoven Fidelio | Leonore
Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos | |Ariadne*
Bartok: Bluebeard’s Castle | Judith
Britten Albert Herring | Lady Billows
Britten: Peter Grimes Ellen Orford
Britten: Gloriana | Elizabeth 1
Britten: Owen Wingrave | Jane Wingrave*
Britten: The Rape of Lucretia | Female Chorus**
Poulenc: Dialogues of the Carmelites | Mere Marie* | Madame Lidoine
Prokofiev: L'amour des trois oranges | Fata Morgana**
Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex | Jocaste
Tippett: King Priam | Hecuba**
I have a number of roles ready for performance as well as another group which are in preparation. However I am always excited about the possibilities of new dramatic and vocal challenges - both in terms of character, age, genre and emotional and creative styles. I love to work creatively with companies and relish the chance to try new work.
Orchestral and concert repertoire includes ... Barber : Andromaches Farewell Beethoven: Ah Perfido (Concert Aria) Symphonie Nr. 9, Messe in C Britten: War Requiem Janacek: Glagolitic Mass Mahler: Symphonie Nr. 8 (Soprano I* and Soprano 2) Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder and various orchestral songs Verdi: Requiem Wagner: Wesendonk Lieder Walton: Songs for the Lord Mayors Table and a wide variety of standard oratorio repertoire including Rossini Stabat Mater, David Fanshawe; African Sanctus and many others
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH SUSAN STACEY SOPRANO
LIMINAL | Photography project 2019
I have been delighted to be part of a group work called LIMINAL - a photography project taking place through the summer of 2017 and 2019 (LIMINAL|2), creating operatic faces in the liminal light at the beginning and end of each day. Our hope is to capture the essence of a character in a single frame.
The subjects for my part of the collection were operatic roles including: Elizabeth 1st (Gloriana), Jocaste (Oedipus Rex), Turandot, Emilia Marty (Makropolus Case), Mere Marie (Dialogues of the Carmelites), and Lady Billows (Albert Herring)
THE GALLERY WILL BE SHOWN IN FULL, CLOSE to CHRISTMAS 2019
current Image: Mere Marie | Carmelites
LINKS TO MY OTHER SITES
SUSAN STACEY | THEATRE DIRECTOR | DESIGN | ANIMATEUR
My passion as an artist (both visual arts and textiles) and as a theatre and opera director of 30 years experience is a huge part of my life. Working on productions in one or both capacities, or as an experienced animateur in education projects across the board from the youngest children to senior groups with all the major opera companies in the UK and the Arts Council of England.
LONDON OPERA VOCAL EDUCATION
Masterclasses, Summer schools and courses
www.londonoperavocal.co.uk
I am the Director of London Opera Vocal which was established in 1993 to facilitate the provision of creative music holidays, masterclasses and workshops in venues in the capital and across the UK, including a seven year residency at the National Opera Studio in London. for professional and amateur performers working with international coaches and teachers.
CONTACT
Want to learn more about Susan Stacey, her music, performance and teaching? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.