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“Rearrange schedules, change plans, and run to see this vocally and visually stunning new production featuring a young dramatic soprano (Othalie Graham) who is destined for international stardom. As Turandot, Othalie Graham electrified the audience with enormous vocal power, tonal depth, and dramatic savvy.” So began the review in the Salt Lake Tribune of Othalie Graham’s performance in the title role of Turandot with the Utah Festival Opera in 2005. Equipped with an “imperious” presence and a dynamic instrument, Othalie Graham has since continued to win over audiences and critics alike with her renowned portrayals of Verdi and Puccini’s most formidable heroines.
In the 2005-2006 season, Ms. Graham made critically acclaimed debuts in the title roles of Boheme Opera’s production of Aida and the Times declared that she was “a Canadian import with a gorgeous high range.” Her performance as Tosca with Festival Opera in the same season inspired the San Francisco Chronicle to praise her for her “potent and secure soprano that soared effortlessly through the role.” The 2006-2007 season saw her return to the role of Turandot when she made her debut with Michigan Opera Theatre. The season also included debuts in the role of Odabella in Attila with Sarasota Opera, the role of Leonora in Il Trovatore with Utah Festival Opera, and as the soprano soloist in Elijah with Bryn Terfel and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
The 2008-2009 season began with Ms. Graham’s starring role of Aida with El Paso Opera. The performance garnered much attention after Ms. Graham astonished the audience by singing the high E flat in the Triumphal scene, a feat most notably conquered by the great Maria Callas, and rarely attempted by others. Her orchestral appearances brought Ms. Graham back to her own country for a concert with Pacific Opera Victoria, and in 2009 she sang a concert version of Tosca with The Harrisburg Symphony. In 2008 Ms. Graham performed Turandot, by then known as her signature role, for the Connecticut Grand Opera and reprised the role in 2009 with Opera Columbus, Chorus Pro Musica in Boston, and Festival Opera in San Francisco.
In 2009 Ms. Graham took to the stage once again in her signature role Turandot in concert with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and in 2011 she will bring her signature role of Turandot to Arizona Opera. Ms. Graham makes her European debut with the Istanbul International Opera Festival singing another triumphal Aida in July 2010.
Ms.Graham has begun her foray into the Wagnerian repertoire and was recently awarded both a grant from the New York Wagner Society and top prize in the Liederkranz Society’s Wagner Division competition. She has been added to the prestigious roster of the “Emerging Singers Program” sponsored by the Wagner Society of Washington D.C. who will sponsor her in learning and performing the works of Richard Wagner under the personal tutelage of Evelyn Lear. Ms. Graham sang her first iterations of Isolde with the YMF Debut Orchestra and Opera Roanoke in 2010.
A gifted recitalist, Ms.Graham made her New York City recital debut with the Liederkranz Society, after winning its eminent annual competition in 2003. In 2005, she was named the first place winner of the Sullivan Foundation Grant and the Joyce Dutka Competition. She was also the New Jersey district winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council auditions in 2003 and a finalist in Palm Beach Opera’s competition in the same year. Awards and honors in her native Canada have included grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the coveted Jean Chalmers prize in the Canadian Music Competition. Ms.Graham began her studies with Canadian Soprano Lois McDonall and is currently a student of Bill Schuman. She is a graduate of the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts.
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