| Jennie Such |
Introduction “…but it was Jennie Such as Seleuce who gave the most memorable performance, acting with tenderness and singing with a sound, at once bright, gentle and intense.” The Guardian (UK), Stephen Pettit BiographyCanadian soprano Jennie Such has garnered praise for the “glowing conviction” she brings to her performances in a variety of repertoire embracing both the concert and opera stage. Operatic highlights include the roles of Janine/Ofwarren in the Canadian premiere of the HANDMAID’S TALE and First Niece in PETER GRIMES at the Canadian Opera Company, Johanna in Calgary Opera’s production of SWEENEY TODD and Yum Yum in the MIKADO with the Edmonton Opera. She starred as Susanna in Mozart’s LE NOZZE DI FIGARO with Opera Ontario and other Mozart roles include Donna Elvira in DON GIOVANNI and Cherubino LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, both for Toronto’s Opera Atelier. For Pacific Opera Victoria, she took the role of Bianca in the Canadian Premiere of Giannini’s TAMING OF THE SHREW and was featured by the Broomhill Opera in the U.K. as Seleuce in Handel’s TOLOMEO; Vancouver Opera patrons heard her as Gianetta in L’ELISIR D’AMORE. On the concert stage, Ms. Such made her debut with the Vancouver Symphony and the Vancouver Chamber Choir in Brahms’ EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM, eliciting critical praise from the Globe and Mail: “Such sang Ihr Habt nun Traurigkeit with melting beauty of tone, her silvery instrument powerfully and movingly conveying the aria’s warmth and sublime tenderness.” In her recent concert schedule, she has performed with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Mississauga Choral Society, Elmer Iseler Singers, Chorus Niagara and Symphony Nova Scotia. With the Mittel Deutsche Rundfunk Choir and Orchestra, she was soprano soloist in the first European performance and broadcast of Mozart’s adaptation of Handel’s JUDAS MACCABAEUS at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig and at the Handel Festival in Halle, under the baton of Howard Arman. A popular artist with Opera Atelier, she was featured in DIDO AND AENEAS when the company toured to Seoul Korea and was well received for her performance as Amor in the company’s production of Gluck’s ORPHEO ET EURIDICE. She also starred in IL RITORNO D’ULISSE IN PATRIA for Opera Atelier and has been heard on the concert stage with the Aldeburgh Connection of Toronto, Grand River Baroque Festival, Kingston Symphony, Orpheus Choir, Chorus Niagara and the Victoria Symphony in works ranging from Handel to Holman. In previous seasons, the busy soprano was soloist in Michael Torke’s score for the National Ballet of Canada’s production of THE CONTRACT and reprised her role with the National Ballet Orchestra in New York at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Other engagements have included Handel’s MESSIAH with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Guelph Chamber Choir, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Victoria Symphony and the Fauré REQUIEM with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. For Opera Atelier she sang roles in DIDO AND AENEAS and ACTEON, Persephone in Monteverdi’s ORFEO and Sidonie in a new production of ARMIDE conducted by Andrew Parrot. She was featured in Kevin Sullivan’s film project based on Mozart’s THE MAGIC FLUTE. In a departure from the classical world, Ms. Such was featured as Sister Sophia in the long-running hit production of SOUND OF MUSIC at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto produced by the Mirvish organization. Her discography includes “Earth Chants” where she is featured as the soprano soloist in Imant Raminsh’s MISSA BREVIS in C minor with the Vancouver Chamber Choir and the CBC Radio Orchestra for CBC Records. She is also the soprano soloist on the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra’s recording of THE CONTRACT. The London, Ontario native is a recipient of a Career Development Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts and was most recently awarded a Professional Development Grant from the Ontario Arts Council. August 2010
Full RepertoireOPERA
CONCERT
AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS Audition Grant – Canada Council for the Arts (2006) Engaged By
Reviews“…Such emitted shining tones, soaring with glowing conviction.” The Toronto Star
“…and if you need someone to dance on your grave (or anyone else’s) give Jennie Such a call. A more delightful witch the Toronto Stage has seldom seen.” Globe and Mail
“Jennie Such’s soft, dulcet-toned soprano was ideal for Bianca…” The Vancouver Sun
“With a soprano voice of surpassing beauty, Jennie Such was positively glowing in the role of Gianetta. She’s definitely a singer to watch for.” The Westender
“Jennie Such was an ideal contrast as her rival, the deposed Queen of Egypt with warmer tone, broader phrasing.” The London Times, UK
“As for Such, she’s even more impressive – a wonderful soprano voice, agile, with long lines lavish with baroque decoration. She takes the ornaments thrown at her by the Pacific Baroque Orchestra and pitches them right back in perfect mimicry…she’s a find.” The Vancouver Sun
“But it was Jennie Such as Seleuce who gave the most memorable performance, acting with tenderness and singing with a sound at once bright, gentle and intense.” The Guardian (UK)
“The palm of the evening must surely go to Jennie Such as Seleuce. In a heartfelt portrayal of a wife bereft of her loved one she produced some exquisite singing from her rich and beautifully produced voice.” Harsham Gazette (UK)
“Such sang Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit Brahms – EIN DEUTCHES REQUIEM with melting beauty of tone, her silvery instrument powerfully and movingly conveying the aria’s warmth and sublime tenderness.” The Globe and Mail
“Jennie Such is a delight as Cherubino. Not only is she blessed with a bright, beautiful voice, but she plays a boy with jaw-dropping aplomb.” Eye Magazine, Toronto |