A Te
xas native, this Grammy Award winner is a graduate of Texas Tech University and the Manhattan School of Music.
When Dead Man Walking had its world premiere in San Francisco in 2000, Susan portrayed Sister Helen Prejean, the lead female role that was written especially for her. She returns to this new production from WNO to captivate audiences as Mrs. De Rocher, the mother of the death row inmate.
Originally from Virginia, Kate is a graduate of Indiana University, and was a student of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera. Since entering the program, Kate has performed over 80 times at the Met.
This performance marks Kate’s WNO debut.
Acclaimed performances include Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, Wellgunde in The Ring, and Hansel in Hansel and Gretel.
A notable moment: In 2012, Kate was featured in Vogue magazine alongside fellow opera singers Susanna Phillips and Isabel Leonard. In the feature, they discuss what it means to be an opera singer in the modern world.
Originally from Cut and Shoot, Texas, Michael is a graduate of the University of North Texas.
This performance is Michael’s WNO debut.
Some of Michael’s most recent and celebrated roles include Sharpless in Madam Butterfly, the title role in Don Giovanni, as well as the title role in Rigoletto.
Fun fact! While this is Michael’s WNO debut, the role of Joseph De Rocher is one that has garnered him great acclaim already. Michael and his self-proclaimed “homeboy”, composer Jake Heggie, have teamed up for many operas, including Three Decembers, Great Scott, and For a Look or a Touch. Michael attributes much of his success to Jake’s partnership, saying “he’s given me the career I have today.”