Voice 2022 – Aria Division
Laureate – Pierre Péladeau ans Raymonde Chopin Second Prize
Observatoire québécois de l’art lyrique Prize for the Best Competitor from Quebec or based in Quebec for at least one year
Montreal students’ coup de coeur Prize
Soprano
2022: Raised in Niagara Falls, soprano Sarah Dufresne is a resident artist with the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, where highlights of her work include Vaughan Williams’ Riders to the Sea. Known for her clear, agile voice and flair for innovation, Sarah Dufresne joined Against the Grain Theatre and The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity for the 2020 immersive murder-mystery opera, No One’s Safe.
A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier and McGill Universities, Dufresne was a recipient of the competitive Jacqueline Desmarais Grant for Young Canadian Opera Singers. She received an Encouragement Award at the 2019 Buffalo-Toronto district Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
Training
2012-2016: Wilfrid Laurier University, Bachelor’s Degree
2017-2019: McGill University, Master’s Degree
Principal Teachers
- Brandon Leis: 2012-2017
- Tracy Smith-Bessette: 2017-Present
- Ariane Girard: 2020-Present
Prizes and Awards
- 2019: Stingray Rising Stars Award, Talent Gala by the Opéra de Montréal
- 2019: Award winner at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Buffalo/Toronto)
- 2019: Jacqueline Desmarais Grant for Young Canadian Opera Singers
Programme
FIRST ROUND (with piano)
AMBROISE THOMAS Adieu, dit-il, ayez foi!
(Hamlet)
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Ach, ich fühl’s
(The Magic Flute)
NED ROREM Emily’s Goodbye
(Our Town)
SEMIFINAL
VINCENZO BELLINI Eccomi in lieta vesta … Oh! Quante volte
(The Capulets and The Montagues)
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Exsultate jubilate – Allegro
(Motet « Exult, rejoice » K. 165)
AMBROISE THOMAS Pâle et blonde
(Hamlet)
FINAL
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Ach, ich fühl’s
(The Magic Flute)
GIUSEPPE VERDI Caro nome
(Rigoletto)
CHARLES GOUNOD Ah! Je veux vivre
(Romeo and Juliet)
Sarah Dufresne is generously sponsored by Elizabeth Wirth.
