MEZZO-SOPRANOS

Valerie Nicolosi (Olga): Since receiving her Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from the Eastman School of Music, Valerie Nicolosi has enjoyed a rising and dynamic operatic career around the country and the globe.  In September 2002, Miss Nicolosi debuted in the title role of Rossini’s La Cenerentola with Opera Providence. A favorite for pants roles, she has sung the role of  Cherubino in Le Nozze Di Figaro with Abilene Opera and Knoxville Opera, and Dayton Opera. Roles include Dorabella in Cosi Fan Tutte, Rosina in Barber of Seville, Hermia and Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Olga in Eugene Onegin. Suzuki in Madame Butterfly, Emilia in Othello, Stephano in Roméo et Juliette, Mercedes in Carmen, La Ciesca and Zita in Gianni Schicchi, Cupid in Orpheus and the Underworld and The Page in Salome.Miss Nicolosi is a Liederkranz Competition finalist and prize winner, and was awarded the Richard F. Gold Career Grant for Young Singers.

Margaret Tyler (Filippyevna): Mezzo-soprano Margaret Tyler has performed as a soloist with area opera companies including the Connecticut Lyric Opera Company and the Salt Marsh Opera Company in roles such as “Mercedes” in Carmen, “Marcellina” in Le Nozze di Figaro, “Marthe Schwerlein” in Faust, and “Kate Pinkerton” in Madama Butterfly.  She was chosen by the composer, Christopher Montgomery, to create the role of “The Goddess Diana” in the debut performance of his opera Callisto with renowned contemporary orchestra Alarm Will Sound.  Ms. Tyler recently returned from a European tour as soloist with the Greater Middletown Chorale; she has also been featured as soloist with groups such as CONCORA, the Mystic River Chorale, the Stonington Choral Society, and Cappella Cantorum.  She has recorded with Archangel Voices as a soloist on three critically acclamied albums of Byzantine chant:  Resurrection!; Master, Bless!; and Christ is Born! Give Glory! Ms. Tyler teaches voice at Calvary Music School and pursues her own vocal studies with Adele Paxton.

Heather Petrie (Larina, Flora): Heather Petrie is new to the Hartford area and excited for her first season with CLO.  She currently sings with Voce, CONCORA and is a soloist at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, where she also directs their youngest children’s choir.  As a concert soloist she has been heard with the American Symphony Orchestra, Westchester Philharmonic, Wallingford Chorale and Yale Pro Musica.  Most recently Heather performed a program of Opera Scenes at Carnegie Hall with Pacific Opera.  Past roles include Arnalta (L’incoronazione di Poppea), the Page (Amahl and the Night Visitors) and Baba (The Medium).  Heather enjoys teaching voice at Danscapes School of Music and Dance in Farmington, and is an Early Childhood Music Educator with Music Together.

OPERA FACT

The stereotypical image of a fat woman in a horned helmet screaming in a foreign language is not really seen much anymore.

Today's trend in opera is for singers to be believable in their roles in size, stature, voice and dress.