| Miriam Khalil |
Introduction
 “Khalil has a gorgeous, romantic, arching sound that immediately commands the ear. Hers is truly a beautiful and distinctive voice." Opera Canada - Paula Citron 2009
BiographyPraised for her stage presence and her distinctive vocal tone, Lebanese-Canadian soprano Miriam Khalil is described as being “a lush lyric with spinto overtones” (Opera Canada) and “on the road to future greatness” (Classical 96.3 FM). Ms. Khalil returned to Glyndebourne in the summer of 2011 for one performance and to cover the role of Almira in Handel’s RINALDO. Previously for Glyndebourne Ms. Khalil has covered the roles of Zerlina in DON GIOVANNI and Cleopatra in Handel’s GIULIO CESARE. She was enthusiastically received when she stepped in at the very last second to replace an indisposed Danielle de Niese as Cleopatra. Further credits include Mimi in LA BOHÈME with Opera Hamilton, Musetta in LA BOHEME with Edmonton Opera, Susanna in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO with Opera Lyra Ottawa, Empress Marie in THE BIRD SELLER and Carolina in Torroba’s LUISA FERNANDA for Toronto Operetta Theatre, Elizabeth D’Aulnières in Charles Wilson’s KAMOURASKA with Opera in Concert, Toronto, and an Opera Gala with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. She will be heard this season as Frasquita in CARMEN for Pacific Opera Victoria and debuts with the Thunder Bay Symphony in Raminsh’s REQUIEM. A member of the prestigious Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, she sang such roles as Leah in James Rolfe’s world premier of SWOON, Laura in LUISA MILLER, the Confidante in ELEKTRA, and Pamina in THE MAGIC FLUTE. She was acclaimed for her interpretations of Susanna in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, Fata Morgana in L’AMOUR DES TROIS ORANGES, Governess in THE TURN OF THE SCREW, Micaëla in CARMEN and Dido in DIDO AND AENEAS. A graduate of The Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Miriam holds an Artist Diploma in Voice, and a Bachelor’s Degree in vocal performance from the University of Ottawa. In 2007 she won first place in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions for the Great Lakes Region. She is a recent member of both The Steans Institute for Young Artists at Ravinia and The Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme. Ms Khalil is also esteemed for her concert and oratorio work. Her credits include Ravel’s SHÉHÉRAZADE, Mendelssohn’s ELIJAH, Bach’s CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN, Vivaldi’s GLORIA, Requiems by Brahms and Mozart as well as Pergolesi’s and Szymanowski’s STABAT MATER. January 2012 For further information, please visit www.miriamkhalil.com Full RepertoireOpera
Concert
Song Cycles
Engaged ByAldeburgh - UK Britten-Pears Young Artists Programme Reviews“The triumph of the evening went to Miriam Khalil’s Mimi. Singing with ease and conviction, her dusky tone voice easily dominated the theatre even with a whisper. She was also a consummate actress with great diction. My friend who is hard of hearing did not always know what was going on, but understood every word Mimi said.” "George Frideric Handel made Popera's A-list this year with Khalil effectively capturing the mood changes in Piangero from Giulio Cesare."
Leonard Turnevicius - The Hamilton Spectator 2009
"Miriam Khalil expressed all of Cleo's anguish and attraction in her excerpt from Handel's Julius Caesar. Her breath control and modulation make her singing look easy." Danny Gaisin - Ontario Arts Review 2009
"The trio of Puccini excerpts came across with the composer's intended love and happy discovery of this famous relationship. In Mimi's aria, soloist and conductor immediately settled into the ebb and flow, producting a memorable result. Highlights included...Khalil's reverently thoughtful "Song to the Moon". S. James Wegg, JWR 2009
"Khalil's single movement...No. 5, Ihr Habt nun Traurigkeit...is perhaps the most moving of the seven movements."
Ted Shaw - The Windsor Star 2009 "Miriam Khalil lends a fully operatic tone to the Empress Elzabeth and her beautifully phrased Lied, "Als gebluht der Kirschenbaum", is on of the musical high points of the evening." Christopher Hoile - Stage Door 2009 "The exquisite Miriam Khalil as the young Elizabeth D'Aulnieres and the stately Loralie Kirkpatrick as the mature Elizabeth were excellent." Ken Winters - The Globe and Mail 2009 "Already a multiaward winner, Miriam Khalil (the Governess) has a lush lyric with spinto overtones. Her voice is ravishing, with its soaring arc and gorgeous, full-throated middle register." Paula Citron - Opera Canada
"Also ones to watch were soprano Miriam Khalil (Pamina)...Khalil is capable of power and passion, with a hint of spinto, yet her voice is pure in colour." Paula Citron - Opera Canada
"Miriam Khalil as the Governess has a lush lyric with spinto overtones and is on the road to future greatness." Paula Citron - Classical 96.3 FM
"Khalil is a raven-haired beauty of Lebanese descent who mesmerized the judges, singing three arias...Her diction in all three languages, Italian, English and French was impeccble and her tone exquisite." OperaBuffs News, Western New York
“Miriam Khalil provided a wonderful afternoon of French art songs and operatic arias, as well as two well-received encores following a standing ovation from our large, enthusiastic audience” OperaBuffs News, Western New York
“Someone to watch is Soprano Miriam Khalil, who has a strong stage presence and voice.” “Miss Khalil, new this season, is a real find.” “An unexpected highlight was the duet from West Side Story, featuring a lovely Maria in Miriam Khalil who is vocally suited to this repertoire.” “There was a little moment last night where Miriam Khalil sang the word “joy” in such a way that it produced joy in one’s heart.” “The richness of Khalil’s tones … are a fine contrast to the bustle and overt passion of the group numbers.” |