Photo by Don Lee

American - Canadian mezzo-soprano, Emma Char’s 2017 - 2018 season included debuting the roles of Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Sugar Creek Opera and Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with The Windsor Symphony. In contemporary works, she premiered the role of Christina in The Llandovery Castle, as well as performing in the core female chamber ensemble of the Canadian premiere of Sweat, produced by The Bicycle Opera Project. In the summer of 2017, she traveled to Norway to participate in the Queen Sonja International Music Competition and was also named a Laureate of Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyrique, winning the Mexican and Norwegian prizes in November of 2017.
Other recent performances include Angelina in La cenerentola with Alberto Zedda (Rossini Opera Academy) Lucretia in The Rape of Lucretia (Against the Grain Theatre) Mallika in Lakmé, Rosette in Manon (L’Opéra de Montréal) Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel and The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors (Atelier lyrique de L’Opéra de Montréal). Her operatic credits elsewhere include Sister James in a workshop performance of Doubt, Sesto in Giulio Cesare, Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sesto in La clemenza di Tito, and Serse in Serse.
Recent concert performances include Alto soloist in The Messiah (Regina Symphony) Mozart Requiem (I Musici de Montréal), Ramiro in Vivaldi’s Motezuma (Ensemble Caprice) Brahms’ Zwei gesang Op. 21 at Salle Bourgie in Montréal and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with Les Violons du Roy.
Ms. Char’s training includes a two year apprenticeship with The Santa Fe Opera where she covered the roles of Margret in Wozzeck and Mrs. Umeya in the North American Premiere of Huang Ruo’s Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Emma received an Artist Diploma from The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music from The Eastman School of Music. Upon completion of her academic studies, she participated in a residency with L’Atelier Lyrique de L’opéra de Montréal and had further young artist development at Opera Saratoga, The Banff Centre for the Arts and Highlands Opera Studio.