Chrystal W.

Mezzo-soprano Chrystal E. has been described by leading critics as “strong and so assured”, “lithely negotiating the coloratura demands before descending into a robust low register”, and “poised, polished, in complete command of the vocal calisthenics”.  Of her debut with the Sarasota Opera performing the role of Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia critics cited, “…the young mezzo-soprano possesses a creamy instrument with fine flexibility, throwing off a confident ‘Una voce poco fa’.”  Chrystal sang the role of Publia and covered the role of Arsace in Rossini’s Aureliano in Palmira at Caramoor in 2016; sang Michael Tippett’s A Child of Our Time with Boston Modern Orchestra Projects (Harvard Choruses); a Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with the Springfield Symphony; Bach’s Magnificat with the New Jersey MasterChorale; Nach Dir, Herr, verlanget mich, “BWV 150”, with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting; soloist with the Lancaster Symphony in Mozart’s Requiem; soloist with OperaDelaware in their presentation of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle; revisited her role as Rebecca in Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD in a co-production with Hackney Empire and English National Opera; and, sang Olga in Eugene Onegin with Northern Lights Festival for the summer of 2017. This season includes Charlotte in Werther with Baltimore Concert Opera and OperaDelaware; Pearl/Mary O'Fallen in Ricky Ian Gordon's Morning Star; On-Site Opera; concerts with Annapolis Opera and a return to Northern Lights Festival as Rosina. In the 2018-19 season she revisits the role of Rebecca Parker with Arizona Opera and returns to Birmingham Opera Company UK.  Chrystal was heard in concerts with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra in Sweden; debuted with Washington National Opera as Elizabeth Keckley/Coretta Scott King in Philip Glass’s Appomattox; was reëngaged with Birmingham Opera Company (UK) as Dido in Dido and Aeneas; presented in recital with Portsmouth Community Concerts; was a guest soloist in Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle with Smith College; reprised Rebecca in Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD at the Apollo Theater under the auspices of Opera Philadelphia; and, sang a role debut as Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel with Knoxville Opera.