Delafield, WI
ROLE(S): Carmen (Carmen), Marcellina (The Marriage of Figaro)
Mezzo-soprano Elissa Pfaender has been praised for “exuding power in every detail of her body language and voice” and her “mellifluous mezzo…with chest tones of chilling power,” (Opera Today). Recent engagements include Waltraute in Die Walküre and Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte at Deutsche Oper Berlin. She also recently made her Teatro Real debut as Anna Kennedy in Maria Stuarda. In the 2023 season, she returned to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as Mrs. McLean in Susannah and Opera North in her role debut as the title character of Carmen. She was also a vocal fellow at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, which concluded with a solo performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in their Tchaikovsky Spectacular. Additionally at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, she created the role of Dr. Landau in the world premiere of Tobias Picker’s Awakenings. Ms. Pfaender has been the recipient of many awards from The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, The Gerda Lissner Foundation, The Opera Foundation, The NEA YoungArts Foundation, The National Opera Association, The Orpheus National Music Competition, and more.