Praised for her
“Bright, clear sound and
alluring stage presence”
by Opera News
Berlin-based Canadian-American soprano Hannah Friesen is establishing herself as a versatile and captivating performer on both sides of the Atlantic.
Most recently, Friesen made her highly acclaimed role debut as Zerbinetta in Richard Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos with Bronx Opera in New York City, earning praise for her sparkling coloratura, comedic timing, and commanding stage presence. This June, she advanced to the final rounds of the 44th International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Jūrmala, Latvia, one of the world's leading competitions for emerging opera singers. Earlier this year she was selected as a competitor in the 5th edition of the Voci in Barcaccia International Competition, presented by RAI Radio 3, Italy's premier classical music broadcaster, with performances broadcast to audiences nationwide on both radio and television.
Upcoming engagements include her role debut as Olympia in Les Contes d'Hoffmann with the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute (ICAV) in Montréal, performing alongside Orchestre de la Francophonie under the direction of Julien Proulx. She will also appear in concert and gala performances throughout the Montréal Vocal Arts Festival. The engagement marks Friesen's first professional appearance in her native Canada, a significant milestone in her growing international career.
Additional career highlights include her North American professional debut as Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro with Opera Delaware and winning the Audience Choice Award at the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (Iowa District). In Europe, she has appeared 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 Vienna.
Friesen holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Simpson College and a Master of Music in Opera from the Manhattan School of Music. She is also an alumna of the Middlebury Language School's German Immersion for Singers program.
Operatic training includes serving as an Apprentice Artist with Des Moines Metro Opera, L'Accademia Nazionale di Belcanto Italiano, Mozart Opera Studio Vienna at the European Music Institute, the Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center, and the College Light Opera Company of Cape Cod.
Credits include Zerbinetta Ariadne auf Naxos, Arminda
Die Gärtnerin aus Liebe, 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.
A passionate interpreter of both operatic and sacred repertoire, Friesen has served as Resident Soprano Soloist for Second Presbyterian Church in New York City and St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia.
Friesen continues her studies with renowned tenor Michael Paul.
