BIO
Acclaimed by Opera Canada as “a lovely, powerful soprano with a tremendous range,” soprano Natalie Gassi is quickly becoming one of Canada’s bright young opera stars. She is in high demand for solo performances and opera productions throughout Canada. Since completing her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance at the University of Toronto, and her Masters of Music in Literature and Performance at Western University, Natalie has appeared as a soloist and guest artist with various opera companies throughout the greater Toronto area. Within the past few years, Natalie has performed numerous operatic roles including the title roles in Suor Angelica and Madama Butterfly, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni and Mimì in La Bohème.
Natalie made her international debut in 2010, singing Violetta in La Traviata at the Centre for Opera Studies in Sulmona, Italy. That summer, she participated in the Halifax Summer Opera Workshop, singing the lead role in Floyd’s Susannah. This marked her first return to Halifax since performing the role of Contessa Almaviva in 2008 “with a full, fruity sound, hitting all the right emotional targets” (The Halifax Herald, 2008).
Demonstrating her vocal endurance and agility in March 2007, Natalie performed the role of Violetta in La Traviata with both Opera York and Toronto Opera Repertoire, singing three shows in four days. She was praised as being “clearly prepared and ready to start a full-time career” (De Standaard, 2007) and for giving “an affecting performance” (Opera Canada, 2007).
Natalie had the opportunity to work with distinguished performers and coaches including Sherrill Milnes, Joan Dornemann and Maria Zouves when she was selected as one of twelve singers to participate in the V.O.I.C.Experience young artist program in February 2009. Upon her return to Canada, Natalie performed the lead role of Matilde in the world premiere of Ray Luedeke’s contemporary opera, I Confess, I Have Lived. Other notable performances include singing alongside Canadian baritone Russell Braun with the Brampton Lyric Opera Orchestra, and with acclaimed tenor Mario Zhang at the Toronto Centre for the Arts with Orchestra Toronto. She hopes to continue sharing her love of opera on national and international stages.
Natalie made her international debut in 2010, singing Violetta in La Traviata at the Centre for Opera Studies in Sulmona, Italy. That summer, she participated in the Halifax Summer Opera Workshop, singing the lead role in Floyd’s Susannah. This marked her first return to Halifax since performing the role of Contessa Almaviva in 2008 “with a full, fruity sound, hitting all the right emotional targets” (The Halifax Herald, 2008).
Demonstrating her vocal endurance and agility in March 2007, Natalie performed the role of Violetta in La Traviata with both Opera York and Toronto Opera Repertoire, singing three shows in four days. She was praised as being “clearly prepared and ready to start a full-time career” (De Standaard, 2007) and for giving “an affecting performance” (Opera Canada, 2007).
Natalie had the opportunity to work with distinguished performers and coaches including Sherrill Milnes, Joan Dornemann and Maria Zouves when she was selected as one of twelve singers to participate in the V.O.I.C.Experience young artist program in February 2009. Upon her return to Canada, Natalie performed the lead role of Matilde in the world premiere of Ray Luedeke’s contemporary opera, I Confess, I Have Lived. Other notable performances include singing alongside Canadian baritone Russell Braun with the Brampton Lyric Opera Orchestra, and with acclaimed tenor Mario Zhang at the Toronto Centre for the Arts with Orchestra Toronto. She hopes to continue sharing her love of opera on national and international stages.