Adriana Zabala, mezzo soprano

Mezzo Soprano Adriana Zabala recently joined the Minnesota Opera in the title role of the American premiere of Jonathan Dove’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, for which she was praised as demonstrating “tremendous stamina and boy-like flair” by the Wall Street Journal, and for her “firmly focused and resonant mezzo” by Opera News.  For her role in Glass’ Waiting for the Barbarians, the New York Times hailed her as “a vivid, fearless presence,” and the Los Angeles Times called her “extraordinary- a young, vibrant mezzo.” An avid recitalist, Ms. Zabala has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Barns at Wolf Trap, among other venues. She was the alto soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for Bryn Terfel’s performance of Elijah, and recently made her European debut under Lorin Maazel in Valencia, Spain, in a production of Carmen in the role of "Mercedes," a part she will reprise under Zubin Mehta in Valencia in 2010. Other upcoming engagements include the role of "Hansel" with the Austin Lyric Opera, and appearances with the Oratorio Society of Minnesota and with VocalEssence. Ms. Zabala studied Lieder as a Fulbright Scholar at the Mozarteum, and served for five years as the Artistic Director of the Southeastern Festival of Song. She is an alumna of Louisiana State University and of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and recently joined the voice faculty of the University of Minnesota.