Maria Alu, Soprano
Praised by critics for her “sparkling stage presence”, “lyrical grace”, and “exceptional ability to spin out a delicate vocal line”, soprano Maria Alu has delighted audiences in appearances with Salt Marsh Opera, Lake George Opera, Annapolis Opera, West Bay Opera, The Princeton Festival, The Baroque Orchestra of NJ, The Bronx Opera, Little Opera Theater of New York, Utah Symphony & Opera, and Center City Opera Theater, among others. Highlights from recent seasons include role debuts as Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto with Opera at Florham (NJ), Cleopatra in Handel’s Giulio Cesare with the Baroque Orchestra of NJ, and Servilia in La Clemenza di Tito with Empire Opera (NY). Other favorites include Monica in The Medium with Taconic Opera, Euridice in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice with West Bay Opera, the Queen of the Night with Opera San Jose, and Musetta with both Opera at Florham and Longwood Opera. Upcoming performances include concerts with both the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey (Bach’s “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen,” a delightfully virtuosic cantata for soprano and trumpet, will kick off the 2011 Baroque Summer Festival) and The Greater South Jersey Chorus (Handel’s “Dixit Dominus”). The New Jersey native and current New York City resident is a graduate of the New England Conservatory (MM) and New York University (BM).