Bio
Dramatic soprano, Kara Shay Thomson, has built an expansive stage career by creating characters that push the limits both musically and dramatically. Ms. Thomson’s major roles include the iconic Puccini heroines, Turandot and Tosca. Additional dramatic roles include the title role in Strauss’ Salome, Fidelio (Leonore), Cavalleria rusticana (Santuzza), and Don Giovanni (Donna Anna). Kara Shay is well known for taking on rarely performed dramatic roles including Erwartung (The Woman), Les Troyens (Cassandre), Bluebeard’s Castle (Judith), Tiefland (Marta), Der Freishütz (Agäthe), the title role in Vanessa, Aleko (Zemfira), Die tote Stadt (Marietta), The Consul (Magda), the title role in Blitzstein’s Regina, and as Balkis in Odyssey Opera’s live recording of the US premiere of Gounod’s La Reine de Saba. Company appearances include Lyric Opera of Chicago, Santa Fe Opera, New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Virginia Opera, Utah Opera, Portland Opera, Atlanta Opera, Dayton Opera, Opera Omaha, Kentucky Opera and Sarasota Opera.