SOPRANOS

Jurate Svedaite (Tatyana, Violetta): Soprano Jurate Švedaite is establishing herself as a stage performer of remarkable artistry and sensitivity capable of “transfixing audiences with moments of opera magic.” Her roles include Tatiana in Eugene Onegin, Mimi in La Boheme, Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Marguerite in Faust, Micaela in Carmen, Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Valencienne in The Merry Widow. An active perfomer of sacred works as well, her credits include Bach’s Mass in B Minor and Christmas Oratorio; Mozart’s Requiem and Exsultate Jubilate; and Pergolessi’s Stabat Mater. Ms. Švedaitė earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Voice from the Lithuanian Music Academy and teaches voice at Conn. College and Thames Valley Music School.

Cecil Thompson (Annina): Soprano Cecil Thompson has sung with the CLO chorus in Faust, The Merry Widow, Don Giovanni and Le Nozze de Figaro, and with Salt Marsh Opera chorus in Madama Butterfly. She has been a soloist in Gloria by Vivaldi and The Creation by Haydn and with the flamenco company, Anda Jaleo. Cecile studied voice with Bella Resek in Mill Valley, CA, and has recently studied with Brian Cheney. She has performed jazz and standards in a variety of venues.

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.