American soprano Michelle DeCoste is rapidly distinguishing herself in the Italian and French lyric and verismo repertoire. Performing leading roles in regional venues, Ms. DeCoste recently appeared as Mimi in La Boheme and Violetta in La Traviata with Southern Vermont Lyric Theatre. In New York, she portrayed Desdemona in Verdi's Otello and the title role in Puccini's Tosca with One World Symphony under the baton of Sung Jin Hong. Additional operatic appearances include Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Ravello Concert Society (Italy), Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi and Norina in Don Pasquale with Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival (Italy) and Marguerite in Faust with the Albany Symphony.
As a concert soloist, Ms. DeCoste was featured in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Poulenc’s Gloria, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Handel's Messiah and Beethoven's 9th Symphony. She also appeared as a guest soloist at Merkin Concert Hall in New York premiering composer Jed Feuer's Orchestral Suite and Two Songs for Soprano.
Ms. DeCoste is a graduate of the Martina Arroyo role study program and earned her bachelors degree from the Ithaca College School of Music where she performed the role of Adele in Die Fledermaus and was praised for her "shining acting" and "superb voice." This season's engagements include a debut with Bennington Choral Society where she will sing the role of Glauce in Luigi Cherubini's Medea.