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From Edmonton to the World

By Catherine Daniel
Catherine Daniel shares why learning never stops.

Performing and making my career as a professional classical vocalist is an honor and privilege rooted in years of excellent teaching and learning opportunities.

Performing and making my career as a professional classical vocalist is an honour and privilege rooted in years of excellent teaching and learning opportunities, starting right here in Edmonton. It was here I began my musical studies with Ardelle Ries before studying voice at the University of Manitoba with the great coloratura, Tracy Dahl. This laid the groundwork for my fantastic experience with NUOVA Vocal Arts as a participant in 2007, when I sang Ludmilla in The Bartered Bride. Fresh out of my undergraduate studies, this opportunity was instrumental in my development as a singer, since Kim Mattice Wanat helped me make the leap from performing recitals and opera scenes with piano to singing a full role with orchestra.

The Magic Flute with Edmonton Opera
Champion with Opéra de Montréal

None of this would have been possible without NUOVA Vocal Arts’s commitment to support young singers by preparing them for the challenging and ultimately immensely rewarding world of professional opera.

After my summer at NUOVA, I joined the Atelier Lyrique, Montreal Opera’s young artist programme, and then the Opera Studio Nederland in Amsterdam. Upon my return to Edmonton, Kim was there to support me once again through NUOVA Vocal Arts’ sponsorship of my first album release in 2013. My career was blossoming, and I was fortunate to have opportunities to perform at home in such productions as Edmonton Opera’s The Magic Flute, debuting Klytemnestra in Edmonton Opera’s production of Elektra and several NUOVA Vocal Arts alumni concerts. Beyond Alberta, some of my career highlights include singing Emelda Griffiths in Grammy award-winner Terence Blanchard’s opera Champion with l’Opéra de Montréal, singing Elisabetta in Knoxville Opera’s production of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, and debuting at Carnegie Hall as a soloist in Haydyn’s Mass in Time of War.

Opéra de Montréal’s production of Das Rheingold

As many of my professional colleagues will attest, learning never stops and I am currently completing a Master’s in Vocal Performance at the University of Alberta, while balancing performance engagements across North America. My 2022-2023 calendar includes debuts at the North Carolina Performing Arts Center, Boston Lyric Opera and the Canadian Opera Company. None of this would have been possible without NUOVA Vocal Arts’ commitment to support young singers by preparing them for the challenging and ultimately immensely rewarding world of professional opera. Plus, Kim expressed her faith in me once more when she asked me to become a board member for NUOVA Vocal Arts’ 2021/2022 season. Through performing opportunities and mentorship, I have experienced Kim’s ever passionate and ongoing support of homegrown talent! Yay for Edmonton!

I am currently completing a Master’s in Vocal Performance at the University of Alberta. My upcoming engagements include debuts at the North Carolina Performing Arts Center, Boston Lyric Opera and the Canadian Opera Company.

Thank you, NUOVA Vocal Arts, and Kim Mattice-Wanat for your unwavering support of my growth and development over the past 15 years. It is an honour and pleasure to write this tribute.

Catherine Daniel in NUOVA Vocal Arts’ Production of A Bartered Bride
Catherine Daniel in NUOVA Vocal Arts’ Production of A Bartered Bride
Catherine Daniel

Catherine Anne Daniel, mezzo-soprano is currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Her upcoming projects for this season include: Recital engagements in Montreal and Edmonton and her Opera Tampa debut as Carmen in the opera of the same name.

Last season included engagements with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, singing Erda in Montreal Opera’s production of Das Rheingold and Emelda Griffith in Montreal Opera’s production of the Champion. She returned to Knoxville to sing Santuzza in Knoxville Opera’s production of Cavalleria Rusticana.

The 2017/2018 singing in the Knoxville Opera 40th season and performing with the Edmonton Symphony in their Messiah concerts. Ms. Daniel sang Carmen in The Little Opera Company’s production of La Tragédie de Carmen. This project was Ms. Tracy Dahl’s directorial debut. Catherine also premiered the role of Matron Pearl in the Canadian Opera Llandovery Castle in collaboration with the Bicycle Opera project.

The 2016/2017 season included singing Jezebel and the Angel in Elijah with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and singing Elisabetta in Knoxville Opera’s production of Maria Stuarda.

Ms. Daniel stepped in for the role of Klytemnestra in Edmonton Opera’s production of Elektra (2017). Mark Morris from Edmonton Journal wrote:

The mezzo-soprano Catherine Daniel had an even more formidable task. As the understudy for Klytämnestra, she took over the role at fairly short notice, when Elizabeth Turnbull had to withdraw for health reasons. She pulled it off triumphantly, rather imperious in her stage presence, with a chilling range of vocal expression, colour, and often menace. Stepping in as an understudy can make a singer’s reputation, and that may well be the case here.

The 2016/2017 season’s engagements included singing First Maid in Opéra de Montréal’s production of Elektra, returning to Edmonton to sing Mercedes in their production of Carmen and a summer Porgy and Bess tour in Germany.

In the 2015/2016 season featured Catherine singing Third Lady with Edmonton Opera’s Magic Flute and a European tour of Porgy and Bess. Ms. Daniel sang the Messiah with l’Orchestre Symphonique de Sherbrooke and participated in the Opéra de Montréal Gala

In the summer of 2014 Catherine joined 18 other singers at the Highlands Opera Studio for a residency and performances of William Walton’s the Bear. Ms. Daniel sang the role of Popova directed by Richard Margison and conducted by Wayne Strongman.

Catherine began 2014 singing Maria in Opéra de Montréal’s production of Porgy and Bess. She then returned to Edmonton to sing Kate Pinkerton in Edmonton Opera’s production of Madama butterfly for their 50th anniversary season.

In 2013, Ms. Daniel released her first Album “Songs Dear to my Heart”. The project is a collection of hymns and spirituals. Catherine participated in several local concerts and events in her native city, Edmonton.

From July 2nd through August 7th 2012 Catherine participated in the Franz Schubert Institute. There she worked with master teachers: Robert Holl, Elly Ameling and Bernarda Fink to name a few. The FSI, run by Dr. Deen Larsen is an annual masterclass aimed at the perfection of German Lied taking place in Baden, Austria.

2011 opened with more concerts and the Opera Studio Nederland’s (OSN) production of Cosi fan tutte. In the fall Catherine performed Kundry in an excerpt of the Wagner opera Parsifal. This production was a celebration of de Muziek theater’s anniversary in Amsterdam.Later that fall, Ms. Daniel was a featured soloist for several performances in Canada such as the Manitoba food grains fund raiser and Judas Maccabaeus under the direction of Elroy Friesen.Ms. Daniel then returned to the Netherlands to sing Carmen in the Peter Brooke’s version of Bizet’s opera with the Magogo Orkest and conductor Arjan Tien.

November and December 2010 brought Catherine back to Canada for engagements: first to Winnipeg to sing Messiah with the University choirs under the direction of Elroy Friesen and second to Montreal to sing in the annual Opera Gala. That fall, Catherine sang La Messagiera in Monteverdi’s Orfeo as part of the OSN’s 20th anniversary under the direction of Pierre Audi. Ms. Daniel also participated in the Jubileum concert at the famed Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.In the spring, Ms. Daniel joined Kirstin Chavez and Luis Ledesma singing Mercedes in Manitoba Opera’s production of Carmen.As her European debut, Catherine sang Dido and the sorceress in Opera Studio Netherlands production of Dido and Aeneas in the fall of 2009. This touring project was a collaboration with Opera Zuid and Ad Mosam. Ms. Daniel subsequently became a full member of the (OSN) in May of 2010 under the direction of Hans Nieuwenhuis.From 2008-2010, Catherine was a member of the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. There she sang such roles as Wowkle in Fanciulla Del West, the 2nd spirit in Verdi’s Macbeth, Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte and Third Lady in Magic Flute. Ms. Daniel also toured with l’Orchestre Metropolitan in December 2009.Catherine graduated from the University of Manitoba with an Integrated Music/Education degree in 2007. There she studied voice with Coloratura soprano Tracy Dahl.

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