Volare
Jodi Karem, Soprano
Jodi Karem, Soprano
Jodi Karem, Soprano
Growing up in the Lebanese culture, Ms. Karem wasn’t exposed to opera until college, when she performed in her first one – act opera, Beauty and the Beast (Vittorio Gianni), and knew that this was what she wanted to do. As a malleable performer, Jodi Karem has been described as “astonishing to witness her versatility”. She performs in both opera and concert in a variety of roles and styles throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. In 2024, Ms. Karem performed the roles of Miss Havisham (Miss Havisham’s Wedding Night) at OperaFest Dunedin and at St. John’s in the Village in NYC, Mme. Lidoine (Dialogues des Carmélites) under the baton of Gregory Buchalter, and Hélène (Hélène) by Camille Saint-Saëns with South Florida Lyric Opera.
In 2023, Ms. Karem had the opportunity to cover the role of Leonore (Fidelio) with St. Petersburg Opera under the baton of Maestro Mark Sforzini and perform in several preview concerts of this wonderful opera. She also performed with South Florida Lyric Opera in the roles of Mme. Patacha (Pierrette et Jacquot) and the title role Herminie (Berlioz). In 2022, Ms. Karem performed in music festivals such as Music @ Moccasin Lake and Arts Earth Festival in Mississippi. In 2021, Ms. Karem performed the role of Lady Macbeth both in Opera for Earth’s New York City production and in Austin, TX for the Neill Cochran House Museum’s Porch Concerts Series. In 2019, Ms. Karem was a prize winner in the Lyra New York International Vocal Competition, Opera Division. Ms. Karem’s 2019 performances include the role Alice Ford (Falstaff) and Gertrud (A Hand of Bridge) as well as concert performances in Dubai, UAE and in Germany. In Ms. Karem’s performance of Venus in Wagner’s Dresden version of Tannhäuser with Apotheosis Opera in New York City, she “inhabited her role with seductive tone and movements”. In her portrayal as the Mother in Amahl & the Night Visitors, Ms. Karem “reached emotional and vocal heights that set the pulse racing and the emotional barometer practically bursting” (BrooklynDiscovery.com).
Ms. Karem premiered the role of Lady Mabel with the Center for Contemporary Opera's production of The Secret Agent in New York City, the European debut with the Armel Festival in Hungary as well as in Avignon, France at Opera Grand Avignon. The release of The Secret Agent CD features Ms. Karem as part of the debut cast. Miss Karem has premiered numerous new operas: The Secret Agent, Kafka’s Women, Venus and Adonis, and Ada. As a mezzo soprano, Ms. Karem has performed with Springfield Regional Opera, Long Leaf Opera, Union Avenue Opera, Inter Cities Opera, Florentine Opera’s Italian Festival, Skylight Opera, Natchez Opera Festival, Center for Contemporary Opera, Armel Opera Festival and Opera Grand Avignon. In a performance of Santuzza with Cape Cod Opera, Ms. Karem’s performance was described as "one of the finest performances I have witnessed, not just stylistically, but in every other way - acting, emotion, facial expression, body movement." (operaOnline.us)
Recent concert performances include guest solo artist with OperaMaya in Cancun, Mexico, the Athena Music Foundation in Dubai, UAE, with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, performing scenes from Tosca and Tannhaüser, and with New York Dramatic Voices in excerpts from La Gioconda and La Fanciulla del West. Other performances include a performance at Carnegie Hall as a Soloist in Mozart's Vesperae solennes de confessore, as a soloist at Carnegie Hall in Mozart's Requiem, soloist in the Dayton Philharmonic's Messiah, as guest artists with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, as a soloist with the Louisville Orchestra, a concert and master class at Wabash College, as a soloist with the Palm Beach Theatre Guild, Waukegan Public Library Concert Series, Northwest Community Church Concert Series, and Carmen preview concerts with Florentine Opera in Milwaukee. Ms. Karem has been a prize winner and scholarship recipient with Opera Columbus Competition, National Opera Association, Marguerite McCammon Vocal Competition, Lyra New York International Vocal Competition, Aspen Music Festival, Bay Area Summer Opera Theatre Institute and Opera Theatre of Lucca. Young artist programs include Natchez Opera Festival, Cincinnati Opera Outreach Ensemble, Utah Opera, and Aspen Opera Theatre. Ms. Karem also performs in recital throughout the United States, and had the opportunity to perform as a solo artist for the Metropolitan Opera Guild's "Spinning Strauss" Master Class Series with Jane Marsh as well as for the Lincoln Center Patrons.
Ms. Karem works to grow her home community’s exposure to opera and musical arts. She raises funds to give musical training and performance experience to young kids, teaching them vocal and acting skills and shows them her love of musical arts in order to create our next generation of singers and music lovers. She has also worked with children from the Delta, an impoverished community in Mississippi, giving them musical enrichment summer programs. Her documentary of this experience has been invited to 4 film festivals. See it here: https://youtu.be/VqyWdmz10h0
Simon Lee, Tenor
Jodi Karem, Soprano
Jodi Karem, Soprano
Tenor Simon Kyung Lee began his musical career in his hometown of Busan, South Korea, at an early age. It was upon a move to Italy that it was discovered that he had a natural affinity for the Verismo style. Under the guidance of Carlos Montané and Mtro. Ubaldo Gardini he was able to effortlessly increased his vocal power. With his Italian studies he began to take command of works by Italian greats such as Verdi and Puccini.
Mr. Lee enjoyed the culmination of that work at a recital at the first annual Festival Notte Musicali Modenesi in Italy. From there he moved to the United States where he participated in the Sherrill Milnes Opera Program, working under the guidance of Sherrill Milnes and Inci Bashar. It was under the direction of world renowned opera singers, Jennifer Larmore and Giacomo Aragall, that Mr. Lee was able to quickly advance his career to include his Carnegie Hall debut for Haydn’s Paukenmesse with New England Symphony, Giles Corey in The Crucible, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Calaf in Turandot, Rodolfo in La Bohème, Alfredo in La Traviata, Radames in Aida, Duca in Rigoletto, Manrico in Il Trovatore, Riccardo in Un Ballo in Maschera, 3rd Jew in Salome, Luigi in Il Tabarro, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi and even a rarely heard Verdi opera the I Lombardi in his Chicago Premiere with the da Corneto Opera as Arvino.
He has appeared as leading tenor with companies in the United States and Europe as well as in Asia, include Singapore Lyric Opera, Opera New Hampshire, Vail Opera, Palm Desert Opera, the Gold & Treasure Coast Operas, Panama City Opera, Utah Festival Opera, da Corneto Opera, Chamber Opera Chicago, Chicago Festival Opera, Kansas City Puccini Festival, Opera North Carolina, Opera Tulsa, Sunstate Opera, Teatro Lirico D’Europa and World Classical Musical Society. A two-time recipient of awards from the National Bel Canto Foundation, Mr. Lee has utilized his flair with Italian music to his advantage in scores of solo concerts and recitals around the Midwest, including a gala concert in which the musical artists of North and South Korea performed together on the same Chicago stage for the first time.
Lee’s 2016-18 engagements included Radames in Aida, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Duca in Rigoletto, Don José in Carmen, and Calaf in Turandot with Teatro Lirico D’Europa. In 2014-19, He has also appeared as soloist in the production Persuasion with Chamber Opera Chicago’s U.K summer tours include Edinburgh Summer Festival, UK and continue to sing numerous concerts throughout the United States.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought unprecedented challenges to the Performing Arts Industry. However, Mr. Lee’s resilience shone through as he seized online platforms to honor classical music through several virtual concerts, enriching the local musical landscape within limitations. His return to the stage was marked by a successful performance in Chamber Opera Chicago’s production of Jane Austen’s Persuasion during the pandemic. Beginning 2024 on a high note, he mesmerized audiences with a sold-out portrayal of Calaf in Turandot at St. Pete Opera, garnering resounding success. Venturing into new territories, Mr. Lee had set to make his debut in Croatia as a guest soloist at the esteemed Noctes Aquae Iasae Festival, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and accomplished tenor on the international opera scene.
Mr. Lee is a faculty member of Operamaya, Summer Opera Program in Mexico, also teaches at Chamber Opera Chicago Studio and private studio in Chicagoland. He currently resides in the Chicago Suburb of Woodridge, Illinois.
Tom Hall, Baritone
Natasha Noviskaia, Mezzo
Natasha Noviskaia, Mezzo
Dramatic baritone Thomas Hall has becomeinternationally known for his rich, powerful voice,particularly in the heldenbaritone roles of Wagner and Strauss.Last season,Mr Hallsang the role of TelramundLohengrinfor the Metropolitan Opera under thebaton ofYannick Nézet-Séguin.Mr Hall’s recentEuropeanengagements haveincludedthe role of Wotan in the critically acclaimedproduction ofDie Walkürefor Sofia Opera Wagner Festival,andthe titleroleinDer fliegendeHolländerand JochanaanSalomefor the the Badisches Staatstheater. A noted interpreter of theworks of Richard Strauss, he has previously sung Jochanaan for Opera Australia, the NorwegianOpera and Ballet, the Royal Danish Opera, Tiroler Landestheater and Pfalztheater Kaiserlautern. HisotherStrauss roles include KunradFeurersnotforTeatro Massimo Palermo, OrestElektrafor TeatroComunale di Bologna, and BarakDie Frau ohne SchattenforTheater Kiel.
Beginning his music career as a horn player,Mr. Hall changed to singing at the age of 27.He made hisEuropean debut in 2011 at the Savonlinna Opera Festival as Telramund inLohengrin, a role that helater reprised at the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Polish National Opera, and Korea National Opera. Hereturned to Savonlinna in the title role ofDer fliegende Holländerandwent on to head otherproductions with Opera Hong Kong, Teatro Regiodi Torino, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, CircuitoLirico Lombardo, and Opera po Skaret. He added the three Wotan/Wanderer roles in Wagner’sDerRing des Nibelungento his repertoire with three complete cycles for Theater Kiel,Die WalküreforGrange Park Opera,Das RheingoldandSiegfriedforthe Staatstheater Wiesbaden, and SiegfriedforOldenburgisches Staatstheater.
His other roles include ScarpiaTosca, the Villains inLes Contesd’Hoffmann, and Amonasro inAida.Concert repertoire includes Brahms’Ein Deutsches Requiem, Handel’sMessiah, Mendelssohn’sElijah, Beethoven’sNinth Symphony, and Puccini’sMessa di Gloria
Natasha Noviskaia, Mezzo
Natasha Noviskaia, Mezzo
Natasha Noviskaia, Mezzo
Natasha Novitskaia is an accomplished Russian -American dramatic mezzo-soprano known for her powerful and lush voice. With a career marked by versatility and emotive performances, Natasha has firmly established herself as a true Verdian mezzo, excelling in a diverse range of roles. She got an outstanding review from the Merker online in the spring of 2023. "Natasha Novitskaia, who has a powerful and lushly dramatic mezzo voice, sang the arias "Re dell'abisso, affrettati" and "Acerba voluttà" with great emotion, reminiscent of the dramatic mezzo singers of the past. Her powerful voice floated through both the Aida and La Gioconda duets. " " All the singers of the concert, mezzo Natasha Novitskaia..., presented top-class singing level of the difficult Italian opera repertoire, each with a dramatic interpretation of the characters. "
In February 2024, Natasha sang the role of Azucena, one of her best and favorite roles in Genoa.
Natasha performed in a concert on October 21, 2023, with the North Czech Philharmonic at Smetana Hall in Prague, titled 'From the New World.' In this concert, she presented arias from 'Samson et Dalila,' 'Cavalleria Rusticana,' and 'Carmen.'
At the end of September, Natasha Novitskaia participated in the 'Batumian Rhapsody' festival in Batumi, Georgia, where she showcased her talent at a concert with an orchestra from the Yerevan Opera Theater.
In honor of the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Natasha presented a concert titled 'Spring Water' in Vienna during the spring of 2023. The performance also featured conductor Sergey Neller and soprano Alla Perchikova, creating a memorable celebration of Rachmaninoff's legacy.
Her recent performance at Ehrbar Saal in Vienna on April 6th, 2023, received an outstanding review from Merker Online. The review highlighted Natasha's emotional rendition of arias such as "Re dell'abisso, affrettati" and "Acerba voluttà," noting her reminiscent style of dramatic mezzo singers of the past. The performance of duets from "Aida" and "La Gioconda" showcased the impressive singing level and dramatic interpretation of the character.
In 2020, Natasha was scheduled to perform as the mezzo soloist in Beethoven's 9th Symphony twice: first at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center, New York City, in May, and later at the Cesky Krumlov International Music Festival in the Czech Republic in August. Unfortunately, both concerts were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic." Natasha is awaiting confirmation to appear as the mezzo soloist in Beethoven's 9th Symphony at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center, New York City, in the upcoming season.
In the summer of 2022, Natasha participated in an opera gala concert at Teatro Minicipal & Teatro Teresa Carreño. The concert, conducted by Rubén Capriles, the music director of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Venezuela, featured Natasha as the sole singer. She delivered an impressive program, including several substantial arias and songs. In the upcoming season, Natasha will be featured in the concert in Teresa Carreño Theatre.
Her career trajectory has seen her transition from a spinto soprano to a dramatic mezzo-soprano, establishing herself as a true Verdian mezzo. Natasha has excelled in various roles, including Amneris, Azucena, Santuzza, Dalila, Ulrica, Princess de Bouillon, and significant Russian mezzo roles, as well as Wagnerian roles like Erda, Fricka. Her versatility is evident in her repertoire, ranging from French arias and Russian songs to Italian arias and Wagnerian works.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Natasha has maintained a presence in the opera scene, participating in concerts and galas, showcasing her commanding and expressive mezzo voice. During the 2021/22 season, Natasha performed in three concerts: 'Music is Back - The Concert of French Arias and Russian Songs,' 'Dueling Divas: An Evening of Famous Opera Arias and Duets' featuring works by Wagner, Verdi, Mascagni, and Cilea in New York City, and a private concert of Italian arias hosted by the Villages Opera Society in Florida.
In 2020, Natasha showcased her artistry as a leading soloist in three concerts in New York City. The performances included a symphonic opera gala 'Opera Gems: The Art of Dramatic Singing' in February, featuring internationally renowned soloists, 'In Memory of Francisco' in December, and the gala 'VivaVerdi' in March at the Opera America/National Opera Center. Critics praised Ms. Novitskaia for her powerful mezzo instrument, noting a suspenseful aura in her performances, and highlighting her contralto-like quality in the lower register. One review from Voce di Meche particularly commended her commanding and devious portrayal of Amneris in a duet. “Ms. Novitskaia uses the texture of her powerful mezzo instrument to create an aura of suspense and we loved the final “silencio”…and in the lower register she has a certain contralto-like quality. She was a Commanding and devious Amneris in her duet with Amneris!” (Voce di Meche).
In the fall of 2020, Natasha was scheduled to sing Santuzza in 'Cavalleria Rusticana' with the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera in a gala concert featuring orchestra and chorus. Unfortunately, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Natasha Novitskaia has previously performed with the same company in the role of Zita in Gianni Schicchi by Puccini.
In August 2018, Natasha Novitskaia delivered a highly successful performance at the Mythos Festival in Taormina, where she portrayed Amneris at Teatro Greco. She earned this opportunity after being selected as a winner of their competition in Rome, Italy. Reviewers praised her as 'Il mezzosoprano russo Natasha Novitskaia fu una ottima Amneris, dalla voce trasparente e decisa, senza tentennamenti' (Globus Magazine, Italy), translated as 'The Russian mezzo-soprano Natasha Novitskaia was an excellent Amneris, with a transparent and decisive voice, without hesitation.' In addition to her compelling performance as Amneris at the opening night of 'Aida’ in Taormina in 2018, Natasha Novitskaia showcased her versatility by singing arias in the festival's Mascagni Gala, conducted by Alberto Veronese. Furthermore, Natasha Novitskaia was prominently featured in the Closing Night Gala of the Festival, conducted by American conductor Everett McCorvey.
In April 2019, Natasha was awarded the Second Prize at the Barry Alexander International Vocal Competition. This recognition followed her return to Carnegie Zankel Hall, where she performed in a Gala concert singing Carmen.
In April 2017, Natasha made a notable return to Carnegie Zankel Hall as a featured guest artist in an opera gala dedicated to honoring the great Italian tenor, Giuseppe Giacomini.
In the fall of 2017, Natasha Novitskaia was a finalist in the Altamura Caruso International Voice Competition in New York City. Her diverse repertoire includes notable roles such as Fricka (Die Walküre), Witch (Hansel and Gretel), and Carmen with the New York Opera Forum, as well as Azucena with One World Symphony in New York City and at St. Thomas Aquinas in Brooklyn. In 2015, she portrayed Principessa in 'Suor Angelica' at the Tuscia Opera Festival in Cordona, Italy.
In 2016, Natasha received a standing ovation for her portrayal of Azucena in a concert performance of 'Il Trovatore' at the Liederkranz Foundation. This achievement followed her solo performance with the Mercury Orchestra in Prokofiev’s 'Alexander Nevsky' for mezzo, chorus, and orchestra. In 2015, she made her European solo recital debut in Berlin, singing Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Sviridov with pianist and conductor Sergey Neller.
With a career marked by accolades, Natasha Novitskaia continues to enchant audiences with her powerful and expressive mezzo-soprano voice.
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