What she's doing with us: British lyric mezzo-soprano Alice Coote is playing the title role in Handel's Ariodante with us this fall. Although this opera is not performed as much as other Handel works, Alice is no stranger to this role and we are excited to have her back on our stage! For more information on our production of Ariodante, click here.

Where you might have seen her: Alice has been seen on our stage twice before. Her COC debut came in 2011 when she played the role of the Composer in Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos. In 2014 she returned to sing the role of Dejanira in Handel's Hercules to great acclaim. Beyond the COC's stage she has a wildly successful career, well established as one of the most sought-after singers in the world. The Royal Opera House, the English National Opera, Opéra de Paris, the Vienna State Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago are just a handful of the many companies with which Alice has performed. 

Above: ​Alice Coote as Dejanira and Lucy Crowe as Iole in a scene from the COC's 2014 production of Hercules

Reviews and interviews: Alice has been widely acclaimed for her lyrical mezzo-soprano tone and superb acting. Here a few review highlights for her portrayal of Dejanira in our 2014 production of Hercules: 

"Alice Coote is equally impressive, capable of turning from the woman wronged to the instrument of vengeance in the course of a single scene, with her darker mezzo tones almost reaching contralto resonance as she plumbs the emotional depths as well." 

— Richard Ouzounian, The Toronto Star

"Alice Coote was mesmerizing as Dejanira... At times joyous, fearful, jealous, revengeful, guilt-stricken, Coote used her glorious and controlled mezzo-soprano voice to completely draw us into the psychological world of her complex character."

— Robert Harris, The Globe and Mail

Alice has also proven to be a dream to interview, as is seen in the video below by Schmopera from 2014 in the Four Season Centre for the Performing Arts:

Hard hitting questions:

1. What was the first music concert you attended?

Leonard Bernstein conducting Mahler's Fifth Symphony at the BBC Proms

2. What book have you read again and again?

Charley by Joan G. Robinson

3. What performer would you drop everything for to see?

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

4. What is your favourite must-see TV show?

Frasier

5. What is your preferred pre- or post-show meal?

I don't like to eat just before or after a show—I am too heightened or drained in senses and emotions

6. Do you prefer pants or skirts?

BOTH

7. Les Misérables, Rent or Hamilton?

The Sound of Music

8. What is the worst job you've ever had?

Telesales

9. Who would play you in a movie of our life?

ME

10. One piece of advice for Ariodante?

DO NOT TRUST POLINESSO

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Photo credits (top - bottom): Alice Coote, photo: Ben Ealovega; Alice Coote as Dejanira and Lucy Crowe as Iole in Hercules (COC, 2014), photo: Michael Cooper