Lisa Saffer

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Lisa Saffer
Born (1960-06-03) June 3, 1960 (age 63)
NationalityAmerican
Known forsoprano; opera singer

Lisa Saffer (born June 3, 1960) is a soprano singer of opera, particularly Bach, Handel and modern works. She also teaches voice at the New England Conservatory.

Early life and education[edit]

Saffer originates from Madison, Wisconsin, USA.[1] She was awarded a bachelor's degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music, with Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory.[2]

Voice[edit]

Saffer is a soprano. Her voice has been described as "Her silvery, brainy vocalism was world-class throughout and in the last celebratory aria, she brought the house down, rocketing off coloratura with flourish and showing off a splendid high C." (The Boston Globe,[full citation needed] when she performed Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare).[2]

Career[edit]

Her career has led to acclaim for her interpretation of contemporary scores and as well as Bach, Handel and other baroque music.[1] She has performed in the US and worldwide. Notable performances of modern works have been with the Royal Philharmonic (2002)[3] and English National Opera (2005) as Lulu in Berg's eponymous opera,[4][5][2] recorded in 2005[6] and the role of Marie in Zimmermann's Die Soldaten with the English National Opera, Opéra Bastille and New York City Opera.[7] Her performances of classical works have included Handel's Messiah with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream with the New York Philharmonic.[1]

Her performances have been recorded by several organisations including Harmonia Mundi, Warner Classics, New World Records and Chandos Records.[2]

In 2010 she joined the New England Conservatory and teaches voice.[2]

Awards[edit]

In May 2003 she received the Singer Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society in recognition of her performance in live classical music in the UK.[8] She has been awarded the Anna Case Mackay Memorial Award, one of the annual Outstanding Apprentice Awards from the Santa Fe Opera, U.S.A and has been nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in Opera for her performance with the English National Opera as Lulu in Berg's eponymous opera.[1] She is a recipient of a National Music Theater Institute grant.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Lisa Saffer (Soprano)". Bach Cantatas. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Lisa Saffer". New England Conservatory. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  3. ^ Clements, Andrew (3 May 2002). "Lulu". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Lisa Saffer". The Times. 24 February 2006. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Lulu". British Theatre Guide. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Alban Berg – Lulu". Chandos. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Soprano Lisa Saffer, pianist Anastasia Antonacos to perform". Bates News. Bates College. 23 April 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Singer: Past Winners". royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk. Royal Philharmonic Society. Retrieved 17 August 2021.