Nicole Birkland*
MEZZO-SOPRANO
Nicole Birkland makes her company debut in her first year as a member of the resident ensemble, performing the roles of Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Azucena (Il trovatore), the Principessa (Suor Angelica), and Zita (Gianni Schicchi). Other engagements during the 2012-13 season include her San Francisco Opera debut as 3rd Secretary in Nixon in China. Recent performances include a return to Wichita Grand Opera as the Marquise of Berkenfeld in La fille du régiment and debuts with Opera Cleveland and New Opera Saint Louis as well as the mezzo soloist in Verdi’s Requiem with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra of Manila and the Bach Chorale Singers of Lafayette, Indiana.
In the summer of 2011, Ms. Birkland was invited to be a participant in the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices where she studied with Dolora Zajick. Ms. Birkland has been a participant in the Merola Opera program and as a young artist with with Sarasota Opera, Chautauqua Opera and Des Moines Metro Opera. In 2009, Ms. Birkland was named Semi-Finalist in Houston Grand Opera’s Eleanor McCollum Competition, was a Finalist in the Opera Index, and in 2007 was named a Regional Finalist – Iowa District in the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions.
A native of Moorland, Iowa, Ms. Birkland holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Performance Diploma from Indiana University.
*Jeanne McCann Fellow
