Liora Michelle - Festival Guest Artist
(United States)

Soprano

Young American soprano Liora Michelle has performed classic lyric soprano roles to critical acclaim, including Mimì, Musetta, Micaela, Nedda, Leonora (Il Trovatore) and Desdemona (Otello) among others, receiving praise for “the intensity of her performance and the extraordinary quality of her talent” (Il Globo) and her “heavenly sense of phrasing and timing” (The Herald Sun).

Born in New York to a Russian-Italian mother and Australian father, Ms. Michelle has both US and Australian citizenship. Though currently living in New York City, she became a celebrated artist in Melbourne, Australia during her extended stay there. And in 2007 Liora returned to Australia for the national premiere of Verdi’s Attila in the formidable role of Odabella.

One of Liora’s many Australian concert appearances was as featured soprano in an EMI-sponsored tribute to Maria Callas performing excerpts from two of Callas’ signature operas, Norma and Medea. Liora was also given the distinct honor by the Italian Bureau of Cultural Affairs to perform for the globally broadcast Verdi Commemorative "Va Pensiero" Day. She continues her extension into the bel canto works with performances of the title role of Verdi’s Giovanna d’Arco in Central Park, Imogene in Il Pirata and Lucrezia Borgia.

An active recitalist, Ms. Michelle frequently sings programs of Russian, French, Italian, Spanish and German arias, art and popular songs around the NYC metropolitan area. Her repertoire includes Rachmaninoff’s rarely performed soprano opera arias for The International Rachmaninoff Society at New York’s historic Steinway Hall (“Ms. Michelle’s wonderful voice and dramatic presentation were inspiring.” (Rachmaninoff Society)) and the annual gala concert for New York’s Russian American Cultural Heritage Foundation (“RACH-C”). Liora has also performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall and the Liederkranz Society, among other venues. Liora’s versatility extends to Viennese operetta and Broadway. She toured Australia with the Vue Grand Chamber Orchestra and performed in original biographic revues featuring the music of Cole Porter, Gershwin and Rodgers and Hammerstein. She was also regular featured soloist for Melbourne’s various popular open-air concert series for several years

Recent and upcoming engagements include a concert tour of Japan and her first Madama Butterfly for Center Stage Opera, Imogene in Il Pirata, Mimì in La Bohème for New York Grand Opera's 2011 Opera in Central Park, Violetta in La Traviata in Harrisburg, PA and Desdemona in Otello in Miami, and various recitals and concerts, including appearances with Russian pianist Inna Leytush and award-winning Russian romance singer David Gvinianidze.

In addition to her singing gifts, Ms. Michelle is an accomplished linguist and dancer. She participated in amateur Latin and ballroom dance competitions in Australia and speaks Russian, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Mandarin, in addition to English. Liora also studied the cello throughout her school years.