Biography
Mezzo-soprano Kirsten Gunlogson is critically acclaimed for her convincing interpretation of trouser roles and charmingly feminine portrayals. Last season’s engagements included Hansel in Hänsel und Gretel with the Indianapolis Opera, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with Utah Symphony and Opera, Siebel in Faust with Fresno Grand Opera, and Maddalena in Rigoletto with the Austin Lyric Opera. Next, she performs the title role of Carmen at the Nevada Opera. Next, she performs Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro at Opera Columbus and at the Nashville Opera.
Additional noted engagements from the past few seasons include Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte with Arizona Opera, Nicklausse in Les Contes d’Hoffmann with Indianapolis Opera, Hansel in Hänsel und Gretel with Augusta Opera, Tessa in The Gondoliers with the Utah Symphony & Opera, Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore with the Utah Symphony, and a return to the Nashville Opera as The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and The Chinese Cup/A Herdsman/The White Cat in L’Enfant et les Sortileges, which was recently released on the Naxos label. She also performed role of Carmen at the Fresno Grand Opera Annual Gala.
Ms. Gunlogson debuted at Carnegie Hall as the alto soloist in the Mozart Vesperae solennes de Confessore and Haydn’s Theresienmesse. As an oratorio soloist Ms. Gunlogson has performed with The Nashville Symphony, The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, The Johnstown Symphony, The Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, Charlottesville Oratorio Society, The Ma’alwyck Sinfonia and The Fairfax Symphony in such works as Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Mass in C and Missa Solemnis, Bach’s St. John Passion and Christmas Oratorio, The Messiah, and The Rachmaninoff Vespers.
Ms. Gunlogson was a District Winner in the Metropolitan National Council Auditions as well as a prize winner in the Northwest Regional Competition. She also was recognized as a winner of the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, a finalist and recipient of the Primavera Prize in The Bel Canto Competition, a winner in the Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition, as well as a recipient of the Richard F. Gold Career Grant. A native of Alaska, Ms. Gunlogson graduated with a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from Indiana University. Upon completion of her Masters degree, Ms. Gunlogson was awarded an honorary Performers Certificate by the Indiana University School of Music faculty. Ms. Gunlogson went on to study as a Young Artist with the Pittsburgh Opera Center.
