CHRISTINE BRANDES, SOPRANO

Noted for her radiant, crystalline voice and superb musicianship, soprano Christine Brandes brings her committed artistry to repertoire ranging from the 17th century to newly composed works and enjoys an active career in North America and abroad, performing at many of the world's most distinguished festivals and concert series in programs spanning from recitals and chamber music to oratorio and opera.   More

RYAN BROWN, VIOLIN

Conductor and violinist Ryan Brown is the founder and Artistic Director of Opera Lafayette. Alongside an extensive career as a chamber musician in the US and abroad, most prominently as violinist with the Four Nations Ensemble in repertoire of the 18th century, Mr. Brown has also led and conducted larger works from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries with period instrument ensembles and symphony orchestras across the United States. Most recently he has been acclaimed for his direction of 17th and 18th century French opera with Opera Lafayette in Washington, D.C.   More

THOMAS COOLEY, TENOR

The American tenor Thomas Cooley is quickly establishing a reputation on both sides of the Atlantic – and beyond – as a singer of great versatility, expressiveness, power and virtuosity. He is equally at home on the concert stage and in the opera house, and his repertoire ranges across more than four centuries, encompassing the early masters such as and Monteverdi, Handel, Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven as well as works by Romantic and 20th-century and contemporary composers including Berlioz, Mendelssohn, Elgar, Britten, Penderecki, and Henze.   More

ANDREW FOUTS, BAROQUE VIOLIN

Andrew Fouts, baroque violin, recently moved to Pittsburgh to join Chatham Baroque. In performance he has been noted for his “mellifluous sound and sensitive style” (Washington Post) and as “an extraordinary violinist” who exhibits “phenomenal control” (Bloomington Herald-Times). In 2008 Andrew won first prize at the American Bach Soloists’ International Baroque Violin Competition and will be a featured soloist in their 2010-2011 Season.  More

STEPHANIE HOUTZEEL, MEZZO-SOPRANO

Mezzo-Soprano Stephanie Houtzeel is winning accolades for her opera and concert performances around the world. Appearances as Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier at the Paris-Bastille Opera, the New Israeli Opera Tel Aviv and the Graz Opera have been heralded as “vocally, dramatically and physically sublime” (Opera News). She was nominated one of the best up-and-coming singers by Opernwelt Magazine for her Graz performance of the Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos (under Philippe Jordan), and has gone on to sing this role with success in Zurich, Tel Aviv and Antwerp.   More

JENNIFER LANE, MEZZO-SOPRANO

Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Lane is “a singer whose dark, bottomless voice is matched by her expressiveness and intelligence.” The press has described her singing as “clear, rich, plangent,” “compelling and dramatic,” and possessing “agility and charisma.”  More

KARIM SULAYMAN, TENOR

Karim Sulayman is consistently praised by audiences and critics for his sensitive musicality, vivid portrayals, and unique vocalism. With a vast repertoire that spans baroque to contemporary music, he enjoys a busy calendar in opera and concert performances throughout the world. More

DANIEL SWENBERG, LUTE

Lutenist Daniel Swenberg concentrates on Renaissance and baroque performance practices--with special devotion to the role of basso-continuo playing and the instruments central to its practice: the theorbo/chitaronne, renaissance and baroque lutes, early guitars, and the gallizona/callichon.   More

DIANE WALSH, PIANO

With a reputation as a performer of “romantic sweep and arching lyricism” (The New York Times) and “a pianist with superb technique” (The Boston Globe) Diane Walsh has created an international career of distinction. On disc, as well as in recital, chamber music and concerto performances worldwide, she has brought a clear vision and superlative skill to a broad range of repertoire from Bach to Berg.  More