Canadian/American Soprano Eliza Johnson has been praised for her honest characterizations, lyrical fluidity, and sparkling upper register.  In recent years, her unique light lyric tone has matured into a rich and full-bodied lyric-dramatic coloratura. Eliza returns to the stage after time away with many new and exciting roles, including Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Konstanze (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Violetta (La Traviata), Gilda (Rigoletto), Anna Bolena (Anna Bolena), Alcina (Alcina) and more.  

Notable past credits include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro (Highlands Opera Studio, 2015), and Pamina The Magic Flute (Opera Lyra Ottawa, Opera Studio 2014).  She holds a Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music in Opera from the University of Toronto (2011, 2013).  Roles with the UofT Opera include Lucy in The Telephone, Despina in Così fan tutte, Rob Ford’s Mother in Rob Ford: The Opera, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, and Governess in The Turn of the Screw.

With Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Eliza has appeared as an Artist in Residence (2013), Gerdine Young Artist (2014), and Richard Gaddes Festival Artist (2015).  OTSL credits include Berta (The Barber of Seville), Soeur Valentine (Dialogues of the Carmelites), Adina (The Elixir of Love - cover), Pulcheria (Riccardo Primo - cover 2015), and Antonia in excerpts from Les Contes d’Hoffmann, in concert with the The Saint Louis Symphony.

Eliza has been heard with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra (Mozart’s Exultate, Jubilate!, excerpts from La Traviata and La Boheme, 2009), Stratford Summer Music (Hymnbook of J.S. Bach, Music of Harry Somers, 2012), UTSO (Beethoven’s Mass in C, 2013), Tapestry New Opera (2011/12), Salon 21 with Soundstreams International (2011), and with the Victoria Symphony (Handel’s Solomon, 2011).  Recordings include “Eliza Sings Rodgers and Hart” (2009), and “Four New Voices” (2010). 

Eliza won first price and audience choice in the prestigious national Brian Law Competition (National Capital Opera Society, 2015), and was the first place winner of the Artist’s Diploma category at the OMFA Provincial Finals (RCM, 2006).   She appeared twice as a finalist in the Canadian Opera Company Centre Stage Competition (2014/15), receiving high praise from audience and reviewers alike, and competed as a finalist for the Ryan Opera Centre, with the Lyric Opera of Chicago (2015).  From UofT Eliza was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships including the Gretta Kraus Award for excellence in Lieder, the Douglas Bodle Graduating Award for Oratorio, the Ruber Mercer Opera Fellowship, and the Mary Morrison Award for vocal excellence. 

She is an alumnus of training programs with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Highlands Opera Studio, Queen of Puddings Music Theatre, Tapestry New Opera, St.Andrews by the Sea, and the Victoria Conservatory, and has appeared in masterclasses with Sondra Radvanovsky, Marlena Malas, Steuart Bedford, Stephen Lord, Warren Jones, Michael Schade, and Edith Wiens.

As an early years educator, she developed a multi-disciplinary program for elementary-school-aged children (Heart to Art), and has worked as an instructor with Arts Alive Canada (illustration and dance), Little Music Makers Berlin/Potsdam, and Music Academy Berlin (voice and piano).  In addition to her musical skill, Eliza has trained intensively in ballet (RAD pre-elementary), tap, jazz, and contemporary, and has competed at a high level (10 years experience). 

In recent years Eliza has made her home in Berlin, continuing to teach throughout a fach change from light lyric repertoire to lyric-dramatic coloratura.  She currently studies with Michelle Wegwart (UK).  Coaches include Adrian Kelly (Opernhaus Zürich), Rupert Dussmann (Deutsche Oper Berlin), Muriel Corradini (l’Opéra National de Paris).

Press

“With Eliza, it’s always legato, it’s always in her control, and it’s always beautiful… her Mozart was liquid and sobbing, but entirely clean using the voice as the sole storytelling device. Eliza is absolutely someone to watch in coming years…” - Jenna Douglas, Schmopera (COC Centre Stage 2014)

“Eliza Johnson’s ‘Caro nome’ had that special mix of technical mastery and emotional oomph that only the best performances have - control and vulnerability, studiousness and rawness… I can’t wait to hear her again.” - Lydia Perovic, Definitely the Opera (COC Centre Stage 2015)

“Eliza Johnson was a delightfully coquettish and vocally sparkling Susanna.” - Dawn Martens, Opera Canada (Highlands Opera Studio, 2015)

“Eliza Johnson was hilarious in the role of Despina. Her fresh, light soprano voice was ideal for the lyrical aspect of the role. Ms. Johnson demonstrated herself to be a fine character actress and took full advantage of the opportunity to do some comedic voice work.” - Keira Grant, Mooney on Theatre (UofT 2012)

“Berta’s engaging aria has the potential to brighten Act 2, and so it did in Eliza Johnson’s spirited performance. An impressive debut… “ - George Loomis, Opera Magazine (OTSL 2015)