News
A Night To Remember, Turandot with LA Opera
June 4th, 2024
“Her extraordinary talent made it evident that we were witnessing a historic moment in opera, one destined to be remembered as legendary.” Indulge Magazine – G. Dhalla
Angela Meade’s inaugural assumption of Puccini’s iconic Turandot was a triumphant role debut at the Los Angeles Opera. Known for her extraordinary vocal prowess and dramatic intensity, Meade’s performance captivated audiences and critics alike, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. Her portrayal of the icy princess showcased her remarkable range and emotional depth, bringing Puccini’s masterpiece to life with unparalleled artistry. The production by famous artist David Hockney received standing ovations and rave reviews, solidifying Meade’s status as one of the leading sopranos of her generation with many claiming it was “a night to remember,” a “historic moment,” and something “legandary.”
Photo by Cory Weaver
Angela Meade Triumphs as Norma at Metropolitan Opera
March 23rd, 2023
Angela Meade in the title role of Bellini’s “Norma.”
Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera
“Angela Meade, reportedly flown in at the very last minute to take on the role of Norma, absolutely triumphed, pulling out all the stops to deliver a commanding performance that should, indeed, go down in history.” Parterre – Callum John Blackmore
On very short notice, Angela stepped into the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Bellini’s Norma and delivered an exhilarating performance in a role that she last performed at the Met in 2017.
Anna Bolena, trionfo per Angela Meade
March 1st, 2022
Genova, Italy saw Angela assay the titular role of Anna Bolena at the Teatro Carlo Felice which hadn’t been performed at the theater since 1851 until February of 2022. With circumstances related to the pandemic, Angela graciously stepped in and sang three back-to-back performances over the course of the opening weekend and then replicated the same performance schedule the following weekend for a total of 6 performances over the two weekends. The run was a resounding success where La Repubblica said “Angela Meade got a well-deserved personal success, great Bolena for temperament, voice, confidence in phrasing, intonation: the final scene was extraordinary.” And Rai News stated that Angela was “Grandissima” and “Straordinario” in her performances.
A SOPRANO COMES HOME
February 8th, 2019
Ms. Meade was finally able to return to her home state and to Seattle Opera to make her debut with the company in Verdi’s Il Trovatore and what a debut it was!
When I saw Meade in the summer of 2012 at the Astoria Music Festival singing excerpts from Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma, she was plenty good. She’d received praise from such heavyweight New York critics as Alex Ross and Anthony Tommasini. Her robust, flexible voice was primed to take her places, especially when Verdi was required.
As in Norma, Il Trovatore’s Leonora’s vocal range and dynamics demand that she sing all-stops-out and in a whisper — that Verdi range! Her role requires long, lush lines and athletic coloratura runs. She swoons, she longs for and mourns her lover, she escapes to become a nun, she embraces a secret about loving the troubadour, she holds her ground against the aggressive courting Count di Luna, who is actually the count’s brother (though neither knows this till the end) —and she must die, of course.
Meade proved herself deserving of the non-stop applause and blast of bravas. After her Act 1 double aria, the audience clapped for 15 seconds, but after “D’Amor sull’ ali rosee” in the final part, she received 42 seconds of applause. She stood frozen during the adoration while conductor Carlo Montanaro waited patiently to start up the orchestra again. She couldn’t miss, and neither does this production.”
Oregon Arts Watch
“The top performance, by a long shot, was that of soprano Angela Meade. The sheer beauty of her singing had me in tears more than once. Her tone was gorgeous from top to bottom of her considerable range. Her trill shimmered, and her soft high notes floated above the orchestra to perfection.“
Seattle Gay News
“Centralia’s own Angela Meade worked vocal magic at times that brought tears to my eyes. When she tossed in incredibly beautiful high notes that floated over the orchestra on wings of pure delight, and her trills and other coloratura skills seemed effortless. Most impressive of all, those two ascending lines she sings as she is dying were spun out with a languid ease, ever so slow, growing ever more soft as she approached that last high note in pure pianissimo, all while lying horizontal in Manrico’s arms. Utter magic! Very few sopranos can do this.”
Seattle Gay News
2018/19 Season
September 8th, 2018
Looking Ahead to the 2017-18 Season
May 24th, 2017
As part of a resplendent season, Angela will sing the title roles of Bellini’s Norma and Rossini’s Semiramide at the Metropolitan Opera and Alcina with the Washington National Opera for their first-ever staging of Handel’s baroque masterpiece. In a season filled with titular roles, Angela will return to Oper Frankfurt in a role debut of Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur and bring her acclaimed interpretation of Giselda in Verdi’s I Lombardi in her return to Teatro Regio di Torino. Under the auspices of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Performance Santa Fe, she will present solo recitals with pianist Danielle Orlando. In concert, Angela will return to the Allentown Symphony Orchestra alongside her husband, tenor John Matthew Myers, for an evening of Opera Arias and Duets, Seattle Symphony for Beethoven’s Nineth Symphony, debut with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony in Verdi’s Requiem and with the Rotterdam Philharmonic under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin for performances of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony.
A Whirlwind summer of Verdi, Martinu, Mahler, Rossini, and more!
September 29th, 2016
A Whirlwind summer of Verdi, Martinu, Mahler, Rossini, and more! Angela Meade’s summer included a “power-house” (Washington Post) performance for the Washington Concert Opera 30th Anniversary Concert, a recital with Performance Santa Fe where Opera Today stated that “When we listen to Meade, we begin to know the sound of golden age singing”, Martinu’s The Epic of Gilgamesh with the Grant Park Music Festival where it was said that her “plush dramatic soprano was made to order for the courtesan’s seductive solo” (Chicago Tribune), Mahler’s 8th Symphony with the NHK Symphony, Rossini’s Ermione with the Russian National Orchestra, and a debut with Madrid’s Teatro Real as Lucrezia Contarini in Verdi’s I Due Foscari where it was said that “Her voice is especially well suited to the character, with sufficient amplitude and a beautiful timbre.” (Seen and Heard International).
Angela returns to Madrid this fall to bring her acclaimed interpretation of Bellini’s Norma to Teatro Real, then joins Alberto Zedda to make her debuts at the Opéra de Lyon and Théâtre des Champs-Élysées as the title role in Rossini’s Ermione, and Seville will see her debut in Donizetti’s Anna Bolena with the Teatro de la Maestranza.
Acclaim for Parisina d’Este with the Opera Orchestra of New York
May 6th, 2016
Angela Meade offered a “glittering performance” (New York Times) in the title role of Donizetti’s Parisina d’Este with the Opera Orchestra of New York presented at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center under the baton of Eve Queler.
In its review of her performance the New York Times stated “The final act contains some stunningly dark and desperate music, with a funerary chorus, ominous drums and a bravura aria for Parisina, “Ugo è spento,” in which she veers between shocked grief and vindictive rage. Ms. Meade’s plush soprano, with a silvery glint that sharpens when she sings forte, eloquently expressed her character’s volatility and pain. The leaps, runs and ornaments of this role, which presses at the extremes of a soprano’s register, held no terrors for her.” New York Times
Photo © Rebecca Fay Photography
Debut recording with Opera Rara
February 26th, 2016
Angela Meade is excited to announce the February 26, 2016 release of her debut recording with Opera Rara! She and Michael Spyres are a vocal match made in heaven (Presto Classical) and she dispatches her sizzling arias with magnificent power and assurance (The Times UK). This Donizetti rarity is a thrilling masterpiece, conducted brilliantly by Sir Mark Elder.
Head to OPERA RARA to purchase your copy today! Listen below for a sneak peak.
Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera
February 7th, 2016
Photo Courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera: Marty Sohl
Angela Meade returns to the Metropolitan Opera in one of her signature roles, Leonora in Il Trovatore, through February 13th.
“One of the primary reasons to see Il Trovatore before the end of the month is to get a glimpse of the female lead—Angela Meade. Arguably the best young American soprano. This role provides her with an excellent opportunity to show her abilities–including the wonderful color of her voice and an outstanding high register. Meade’s talent alone should bring you into the opera house to see Il Trovatore.” NY Sports Day.
Performances of David McVicar’s production continue on February 9th & 13th under the baton of Marco Armiliato. Find tickets to Il Trovatore and more information here.