Ashley Emerson Explained

Ashley Emerson is an American soprano who is a vocal instructor at the University of South Carolina School of Music.^[1] She has made more than 60 opera appearances since 2007, including starring roles at major venues; and she has received acclaim from various sources.

Early life

Daughter of Robert and Beth Emerson, Emerson graduated Bangor High School in her native city of Bangor, Maine.^[2] She studied voice at the University of Southern Maine School of Music in Gorham, Maine.

Career

Emerson made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro in the bridesmaids choir in 2007; and by 2011 had appeared on stage in 55 Met performances.^[3]

She starred as Alice in Unsuk Chin's 2007 opera Alice in Wonderland in its American premiere in 2012 at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.^{[4] [5]} In 2010, Emerson appeared in the world premiere of Daron Hagen's opera Amelia as Young Amelia.

In 2017, Emerson starred as Papagena in Mozart's The Magic Flute under the baton of James Levine, with staging by Julie Taymor.^{[6] [7]}

She has starred in several productions, including Gaetano Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore,^{[8] [9]} Benjamin Britten's The Turn of the Screw with Dallas Opera,^[10] Gretel in Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel at Seattle Opera,^[11] and Francis Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites at the Kennedy Center^[12]

As reviewed in Opera News, Emerson's vocal technique has been described as immaculate, concentrated and sweet; "especially when soaring into its upper register."^[13]

Personal life

Emerson is married to American tenor Dominic Armstrong. They live in New York City.

Filmography

Year	Film title	Role	Notes
2004	Black Nativity: In Concert – A Gospel Celebration	Self	Documentary
2009	The Metropolitan Opera HD Live	Giannetta / Papagena	TV series
2018	The Metropolitan Opera HD Live	Laura Fleet	TV series

External links

• • Columbia Artists: Ashley Emerson
• Metropolitan Opera profile
• Opera News: Ashley Emerson
• Musical World: Ashley Emerson

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ashley Emerson - School of Music University of South Carolina . 2024-03-06 . www.sc.edu.
2. Web site: Bangor native finds true joy on the opera stage. Burnham . Emily . July 25, 2011. Bangor Daily News. May 19, 2018.
3. Web site: Native daughter. Keyes. Bob. July 24, 2011 . Portland Press Herald. December 28, 2018.
4. Book: Griffel, Margaret . 21 December 2012. Operas in English: A Dictionary. Scarecrow Press . 13 . 978-0810882720 .
5. http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2012/06/unsuk-chins-alice-in-wonderland-opera-delivers-a-dazzling-journey-for-all-ages/ "Unsuk Chin's Alice in Wonderland delivers a dazzling journey for all ages"
6. Web site: Met Opera: Levine Again Weaves His Special Magic in an Outstanding Die Zauberflote. Hampton. Wilborn. September 28, 2017 . huffingtonpost.com . HuffPost . May 19, 2018.
7. Web site: The Metropolitan Opera – Julie Taymor's production of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte. Rice. David. September 27, 2017 . classicalsource.com . Classical Source . May 19, 2018.
8. Web site: BWW Review: Elisir's Latest Duo Charms the Pants Off Met Audience. Sasanow. Richard. September 27, 2017 . broadwayworld.com . BWW . May 19, 2018.
9. Web site: Review: A Donizetti Revival at the Met. Oestreich. James. James R. Oestreich. September 27, 2017 . The New York Times. May 19, 2018.
10. Web site: Opera as gripping theater: Dallas Opera produces a powerful Britten Turn of the Screw. Cantrell. Scott. March 1, 2017. Dallas News. May 19, 2018.
11. Web site: At Seattle Opera, a fun and feisty trip through the woods with Hansel and Gretel. Bargreen. Melinda. October 17, 2016. Seattle Times. January 17, 2018.
12. Web site: Washington National Opera's Dialogues of the Carmelites at the Kennedy Center. Paarlberg. Mike. February 23, 2015. Washington City Paper. May 19, 2018.
13. Web site: Review: La Fille du Régiment. Malafronte. Judith. July 28, 2011. Opera News. May 19, 2018.