Praised for her
“Bright, clear sound and alluring stage presence”
by Opera News
Canadian-American soprano Hannah Friesen is making a name for herself in the world of opera. The last couple years have been abundant with work and new connections including her North American professional debut as Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Delaware in May of 2022, Winning the Audience Choice Award at the Iowa District for the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition January 2023, along with multiple role debuts in Europe as Gilda in Rigoletto with L'Accademia Nazionale Di Belcanto Italiano, Servilia in La clemenza di Tito and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Mozart Opera Studio in Vienna, Austria - performed with full orchestra. During her last two European seasons, Hannah studied with world renowned Mexican tenor Francisco Araiza at the European Music Institute in Vienna, Austria. She continued her training with International School of Voice,co-director and opera career coach Mauricio Trejo in Verona, Italy.
Friesen holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Simpson College (2017) and a Master of Music in Opera from the Manhattan School of Music (2019). Friesen has also worked as an Apprentice Artist with the Des Moines Metro Opera (2019), Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Music Center (2018), and has performed two seasons with the College Light Opera Company of Cape Cod (2015-16).
Credits include Donna Anna Don Giovanni, Gilda Rigoletto, Servilia La Clemenza Di Tito, Frasquita Carmen, Iris Semele, Harriet Emmiline, Genovieffa Suor Angelica, Clorinde Cendrillon (Nicolo Isouard), Kate Pinkerton Madama Butterfly, Gretel Hansel and Gretel, Belinda Dido and Aeneas, Barbarina & Susanna The Marriage of Figaro, Fiona Brigadoon, Mrs. Nordstrom A Little Night Music among many others.
Awards include 2023 Audience Choice Award Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Iowa District, 2022 Semi Finalist Gerda Lissner Competition, Semi Finalist Premiere Opera Foundation / NYIOP International Vocal Competition, 2019 Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Vocal Competition Winner, 2019 & 2022 Career Bridges Grant Winner.
Orchestral Works include Stars of Tomorrow Concert: Oscar Un ballo in maschera Act 3 Quintet (DMMO), Street soloist Bernstein’s Mass conducted by Keith Lockhart (BMC), Opera’s Greatest Hits: Violetta La Traviata Libiamo & Gilda Rigoletto: Act 3 Quartet (BMC). Chorus Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis & Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.
In fall of 2022, Friesen returned to New York City after the pandemic promoted a two year temporary residency in Philadelphia where she was a primary cantor for St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Manayunk, PA. In NYC, Friesen continues to study with International School of the Voice Director, Elizabeth De Trejo, focusing on the historic Italian bel canto vocal technique. She also serves as Soprano section leader and soloist for Secondary Presbyterian Church, Central Park West. Past mentors include Ashley Putnam and Virginia Croskery-Lauridsen.
Hannah is proud of the growth of her technique and artistry over the last year and is looking forward to this upcoming audition season!