Liora Michelle Soprano

Young American soprano Liora Michelle has performed a broad range of lyric soprano roles to critical acclaim, including Mimì, Musetta, Micäela, Nedda, Leonora (Il Trovatore) and Desdemona (Otello) among others, receiving praise for "the intensity of her performance and the extraordinary quality of
her talent" (Il Globo) and her "heavenly sense of phrasing and timing" (The Herald Sun).

Born in New York to a Russian-Italian mother and Australian father, Ms. Michelle has both US and Australian citizenship. Though currently living in New York City, she became a celebrated artist in Melbourne, Australia during her extended stay there. And in 2007 Liora returned to Australia for the
national premiere of Verdi's Attila in the formidable role of Odabella.

One of Liora's many Australian concert appearances was as featured soprano in an EMI-sponsored tribute to Maria Callas performing excerpts from two of Callas' signature operas, Norma and Medea. Liora was also given the distinct honor by the Italian Bureau of Cultural Affairs to perform for the globally broadcast Verdi Commemorative "Va Pensiero" Day. She continues her extension into the bel canto works with performances of the title role of Verdi's Giovanna d'Arco in Central Park, Imogene in Il Pirata and Lucrezia Borgia.

An active recitalist, Ms. Michelle frequently sings programs of Russian, French, Italian, Spanish and German arias, art and popular songs around the NYC metropolitan area. Her repertoire includes Rachmaninoff's rarely performed soprano opera arias for The International Rachmaninoff Society at
New York's historic Steinway Hall  ("Ms. Michelle's wonderful voice and dramatic presentation were inspiring." (Rachmaninoff Society)) and the annual gala concert for New York's Russian American Cultural Heritage Foundation ("RACH-C"). Liora has also performed at Carnegie Hall's Weill Hall and the Liederkranz Society, among other venues. Liora's versatility extends to Viennese operetta and Broadway. She toured Australia with the Vue Grand Chamber Orchestra and performed in original biographic revues featuring the music of Cole Porter, Gershwin and Rodgers and Hammerstein. She was also regular featured soloist for Melbourne's various popular open-air concert series for several years.

Recent and upcoming engagements include a concert tour of Japan and her debut Madama Butterfly for Center Stage Opera, Imogene in Il Pirata and the title role of Lucrezia Borgia in New York. Most recently she performed Mimi under the baton of Vincent LaSelva for New York Grand Opera's 38th Season of opera in Central Park, for the 3rd consecutive season, about which the New York Times wrote "intelligent, moving characterization" and the Brooklyn Eagle wrote: "Michelle's creamy voice …touched us all with its poignant and soulful quality. Her death scene with those terribly sad crashing chords was in a sense, everything opera is about. "

Ms. Michelle is also an avid linguist and dancer. She participated in amateur Latin and ballroom dance
competitions in Australia and speaks Russian, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Mandarin, in addition to English. Liora also studied the cello throughout her school years.