Marie-Adele McArthur, soprano

Biography

"Soprano Marie-Adele McArthur possesses a striking voice - unified in its pleasing color, capable of tremendous range, strong enough to easily soar over the combined sonic mass of the orchestra and chorus, and used with acute intelligence. Her blend with the other soloists was admirable, and her sense of the dramatic in her solos was unerring." VERDI REQUIEM with Syracuse Symphony (The Post-Standard)

New Zealand native Marie-Adele McArthur was hailed by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune as "the perfect Verdi heroine, richly musical and emotionally touching" with a voice that is "generous and emotive with an organic beauty". A frequent performer of lesser-known Verdi works, her repertoire includes Lina (STIFFELIO), Leonora in LE TROUVÈRE (the composer's own French rewrite of IL TROVATORE), the fiery ladies Abigaille (NABUCCO) and Odabella (ATTILA), Amelia (UN BALLO IN MASCHERA) and Aida. Other significant roles include Tosca, Fiordiligi (COSÌ FAN TUTTE), and Donna Elvira (DON GIOVANNI). Loved by audiences and the press alike, Deseret News wrote, "Her clear, strong, rich voice is - by itself - worth the price of the ticket". Australia's Opera~Opera Magazine declared, "a splendid Donna Elvira: well in command of the technical challenges, possessed of a rich voice with just a hint of steel behind it, and blessed by a personality that communicates effortlessly across the footlights".

Recognized by Opera News as "the sort of voice that the orchestra loves, fitting into its texture with an easy warmth", Ms. McArthur regularly appears on the symphony stage. Recent concert performances include Verdi's REQUIEM with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony, New Hampshire Music Festival, and American West Symphony, Beethoven's NINTH SYMPHONY with the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra and the San Jose Symphony, Fiordiligi in COSÌ FAN TUTTE with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and her European debut with Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona in a special concert featuring the works of opera librettist, Victorien Sardou.

Born in Gisborne, Ms. McArthur is a direct descendent of paramount Maori chief, Te Hapuku. She holds dual citizenship in New Zealand and the United States, and resides in New York City.

"Strong only scratches the surface of the performance of McArthur in her thrilling presentation of Abigaille. She was never out of character. Her voice was tremendous and well-trained."
Utah Statesman

Print Version