American Soprano Elisabeth Richter is an emerging artist of the first order with a powerful, beautiful dramatic voice and a luscious, rich tone quality.
In 2010/11, Ms. Richter lent her voice to the role of Sharon Graham in Terrence McNally's award winning play about Maria Callas, Master Class at the Walter House Theater in Peoria.
In the 2009/10 season, Ms. Richter returned to Annapolis Opera under the baton of Maestro Ron Gretz to sing the title role of Puccini’s Tosca, where in spring 2009 she had performed the role of Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana to critical acclaim. Other recent performances include the title role of Puccini’s Suor Angelica at Opera Illinois under the baton of Maestro Kevin Class. Principal roles in Ms. Richter’s repertoire include Liù in Turandot, the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Sarah Good in Robert Ward's The Crucible. She has also performed the role of Pamina in Die Zauberflöte at Illinois State Opera and the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro at Bradley Opera Theater.
As a recitalist, Ms. Richter has frequently performed at the Indiana University Chamber Music Festival where she has sung Mozart’s Requiem, Dominic Argento’s To be Sung Upon the Water and premiered Jeffrey Hoover’s Soul and Fire for which she was recognized as an audience favorite in 2004. In addition, she was a featured soloist with the St. Martin’s Chamber Players at Merkin Hall in New York City.
Elisabeth Richter has participated as a young artist at the Utah Festival Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Opera Illinois Young Artist Ensemble. She was a five-time winner for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Award, a finalist for the Quad Cities Opera Company Competition and a Concerto Award winner at Western Illinois University.
“Vissi d’Arte” from Puccini’s Tosca (2010)
Bellini |
Puccini (continued) |
Beethoven - 9th Symphony |
Rossini - Stabat Mater |
“As Floria Tosca, soprano Elizabeth Richter met every acting and vocal demand, with a voice of great fullness and beauty. Her wide range encompassed magnificent highs and a darkly dramatic midrange. She held nothing back - her expressive "Vissi d'arte" powerfully soaring, to end with hardly a pause before singing the next lines, proving she had plenty of power in reserve.”
Mary Johnson, THE BALTIMORE SUN, March 2010
“I found Richter's portrayal of the opera singer Tosca to be the most memorable portion of the entire production. As I commented when I reviewed her Santuzza in "Cavalleria Rusticana" last year, Richter's singing is simply ravishing, combining as it does exquisite tone with wonderful delicacy and impressive power. Her projection was such that her voice soared easily over the orchestra, but she used it with great skill, as to project the poignancy of her great aria, "Vissi d'arte." I feel a bit like Oliver Twist when he exclaimed, "Please, Sir, I want some more." especially more Richter. These are stunning voices that I am confident will continue to bring operatic enjoyment wherever there is an audience fortunate enough to encounter them.”
David Lindauer, HOMETOWN ANNAPOLIS, March, 2010
“Elisabeth Richter, in the title role, achieved more in the way of subtlety -- the last lines of "Vissi d'arte" were sculpted with considerable nuance and depth of expression not to mention terrific breath control. a solid performance, one full of fire. Richter spat out "Assassino" and "Quanto? Il prezo" with special venom.”
Tim Smith, THE BALTIMORE SUN, MARCH, 2010
“The singing in Suor Angelica was remarkable with Elisabeth Richter as the title role. Something clicks the moment Richter opens her mouth-she has a powerful yet pretty soprano voice. Richter's firm command of Italian and of the challenging vocal line make Angelica's suffering and death convincing and pitiful.”
Gary Panetta, PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
“The beauty and power of these two well-worn works came through with surprising strength, thanks largely to principal singers of considerable calibre, singers with personality and possibility. With their professionalism guiding the way, the Cav cast had two standouts: soprano Elisabeth Richter, whose portrayal of the jilted Santuzza offered tonal richness and emotional weight.”
Tim Smith, THE BALTIMORE SUN
