Biography
Mezzo soprano Jessye Wright is admired for her rich, colorful voice – a rare instrument with both brilliance and depth – as well as her impeccable musicianship and striking stage presence. She was among just four mezzos earning distinction as an “Upwardly Musical Artist on the Move” in Symphony magazine’s recent Guide to Emerging Artists.
Recent seasons for Miss Wright include a debut performance in Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall of Mozart’s Requiem with Maestro Martin Josman and the National Chorale; Hansel in Hansel and Gretel with both Chattanooga Opera and DuPage Symphony; and Meg Page in Falstaff with Maestro Emmanuel Plasson and the New York Opera Society in the Theatre municipal de Castres, France. Miss Wright just appeared as a soloist in the International Advent Singing Festival in Vienna, Austria, preceded by Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de Confessore with Maestra Jane Glover and Chicago’s Music of the Baroque. Upcoming seasons include a solo performance with internationally acclaimed musicians Mr. Anthony Molinaro (piano) and Mr. Howard Levy (harmonica) for the Music in the Loft Chicago Concert Series; a concert gala performance with Maestro Francesco Milioto and the New Millenium Orchestra; and Beethoven’s Ninth with Bozeman Symphony in Montana.
Miss Wright received rave reviews for her portrayal of the title role in Carmen at Ravinia Music Festival with Opera Theatre North. Jessye then sang Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with Chattanooa Opera, and Meg Page in Verdi’s Falstaff with New Jersey Opera Theatre. Other operatic performances for Miss Wright include Third Lady in Magic Flute with Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, and Pitti-Sing in The Mikado with Nashville Opera.
Miss Wright recently made her Carnegie Hall debut in a performance featuring solos from the Messiah with Maestro Jonathan Griffith and MidAmerica Productions. That same year, Jessye made her European debut as a featured alto soloist in the Festival Internazionale di Musica in Tuscany, Italy. Subsequent concert performances for Miss Wright include Verdi’s Requiem with Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Ninth with Illinois Philharmonic and Mobile Symphony.
A past national semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions, Jessye received the Ardis Krainik Memorial Prize in Voice from Chicago’s National Bel Canto Foundation, and won 2nd place in the International Classical Singer Competition.
