Praised for her
“Bright, clear sound and
alluring stage presence”
by Opera News
Canadian-American soprano Hannah Friesen is making a name for herself in the world of opera. The last couple years have been abundant with work and new connections including her North American professional debut as Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Delaware in May of 2022, Winning the Audience Choice Award at the Iowa District for the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition January 2023, along with multiple role debuts in Europe as Gilda in Rigoletto with L'Accademia Nazionale Di Belcanto Italiano, Servilia in La clemenza di Tito and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Mozart Opera Studio in Vienna, Austria. During the summers of 2022 and 2023 Hannah participated in Francisco Araiza's Masterclass series at the European Music Institute in Vienna, Austria. She spent Summer 2024 in Ischia, Italy studying with Michael Paul. Participating in his masterclass intensive, performances, and industry auditions.
This past summer Hannah was awarded the Max Kade Grant scholarship to be one of 12 participants in the Middlebury Language School - German Immersion for Singers program, where she was fully immersed in the German language through intensive coursework and musical study. As part of the program, she performed the role of Arminda in Mozart's Die Gärtnerin aus Liebe and well as studied the roles of Zerbinetta and Königin der Nacht. The program culminated in a sponsored trip to Scharbeutz, Germany, where the cast performed and had the opportunity to audition for German management.
Friesen holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Simpson College (2017) and a Master of Music in Opera from the Manhattan School of Music (2019). Friesen has also worked as an Apprentice Artist with the Des Moines Metro Opera (2019), Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Music Center (2018), and has performed two seasons with the College Light Opera Company of Cape Cod (2015-16).
Credits include Donna Anna Don Giovanni, Gilda Rigoletto, Servilia La Clemenza Di Tito, Frasquita Carmen, Iris Semele, Harriet Emmiline, Genovieffa Suor Angelica, Clorinde Cendrillon (Nicolo Isouard), Kate Pinkerton Madama Butterfly, Gretel Hansel and Gretel, Belinda Dido and Aeneas, Barbarina & Susanna The Marriage of Figaro, Fiona Brigadoon, Mrs. Nordstrom A Little Night Music among many others.
Awards include 2024 Camille Coloratura Awards 1st prize,
2023 Audience Choice Award Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Iowa District, 2024 Giulio Gari Competition Honorable Mention, 2022 Semi Finalist Gerda Lissner Competition, Semi Finalist Premiere Opera Foundation / NYIOP International Vocal Competition, 2019 Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Vocal Competition Winner, 2019 & 2022 Career Bridges Grant Winner and is a Middlebury Language School Max Kade Grant Recipient.
Orchestral Works include Stars of Tomorrow Concert: Oscar Un ballo in maschera Act 3 Quintet (DMMO), Street soloist Bernstein’s Mass conducted by Keith Lockhart (BMC), Opera’s Greatest Hits: Violetta La Traviata Libiamo & Gilda Rigoletto: Act 3 Quartet (BMC). Chorus Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis & Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.
Friesen has served as the Resident Soprano Soloist for St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Manayunk, PA and Second Presbyterian Church, Central Park West, NYC.
Hannah continues to hone her craft under the tutelage of Michael Paul. Past mentors include Elizabeth De Trejo, Ashley Putnam and Virginia Croskery-Lauridsen.
Hannah is currently based between Berlin and New York City as she expands her career into the European operatic sphere.
