Lisa Saffer (born June 3, 1960) is a soprano singer of opera, particularly Bach, Handel and modern works. She also teaches voice at the
New England Conservatory
The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a private music school in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest independent music conservatory in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world. The conservatory is located on Hu ...
.
Early life and education
Saffer originates from Madison, Wisconsin, USA. She was awarded a bachelor's degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music, with Artist Diploma from the
New England Conservatory
The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a private music school in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest independent music conservatory in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world. The conservatory is located on Hu ...
.
Voice
Saffer is a
soprano
A soprano () is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hz to "high A" (A5) = 880&n ...
. Her voice has been described as "Her silvery, brainy vocalism was world-class throughout and in the last celebratory aria, she brought the house down, rocketing off coloratura with flourish and showing off a splendid high C." ('' The Boston Globe'', when she performed Cleopatra in Handel's '' Giulio Cesare'').
Career
Her career has led to acclaim for her interpretation of contemporary scores and as well as Bach, Handel and other baroque music. She has performed in the US and worldwide. Notable performances of modern works have been with the Royal Philharmonic (2002) and English National Opera (2005) as Lulu in Berg's eponymous opera, recorded in 2005 and the role of Marie in Zimmermann's '' Die Soldaten'' with the English National Opera, Opéra Bastille and New York City Opera. Her performances of classical works have included Handel's '' Messiah'' with the
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One of the " Big Five" American orchestras, the orchestra is based at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where it performs its subscription ...
, and Mendelssohn's ''
A Midsummer Night's Dream
''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' is a comedy written by William Shakespeare 1595 or 1596. The play is set in Athens, and consists of several subplots that revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One subplot involves a conflict amon ...
Chandos Records
Chandos Records is a British independent classical music recording company based in Colchester. It was founded in 1979 by Brian Couzens.
In 2010 she joined the New England Conservatory and teaches voice.
Awards
In May 2003 she received the Singer Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards, Royal Philharmonic Society in recognition of her performance in live classical music in the UK. She has been awarded the Anna Case Mackay Memorial Award, one of the annual Outstanding Apprentice Awards from the Santa Fe Opera, U.S.A and has been nominated for a
Laurence Olivier Award
The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London at an annual ceremony in the capital. The awards were originally known as ...
for outstanding achievement in Opera for her performance with the English National Opera as Lulu in Berg's eponymous opera. She is a recipient of a National Music Theater Institute grant.