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BIOGRAPHY,
SUZAN HANSON
With recent forays into the roles
of Cio-Cio San and the four heroines in LES CONTES d’HOFFMANN, Suzan is excited
to be exploring operatic roles which fully utilize her abilities as the
consummate singer/actress. Blessed with a voice of exquisite beauty and power,
which has been lauded by critics and audience members alike, it was only a
matter of time before Suzan’s talents would bring her to this challenging yet
rewarding repertoire.
Return engagements to many opera and theater companies have afforded Suzan
opportunities to develop into a recognized and sought after multi-dimensional
artist. Critics have been overwhelmed by the fully realized characters she
creates; characters filled with a pathos and humanness often lacking on the
operatic stage. Suzan is thrilled at the prospect of adding heroines such as
Violetta, Tosca, Norma and Salome to her already substantial repertoire.
Simultaneously, Suzan’s acting career has blossomed with recent portrayals of
diverse heroines such as the Haunting Hanako in the recent premiere of SOUND OF
A VOICE (Phillip Glass and David Henry Hwang), the exuberant, sexy and touching
Maria of Charles Mee’s WINTERTIME, and the enigmatic, elegant Actress of ENTER
THE GUARDSMAN. Through numerous productions, workshops and readings, working
with such luminaries as Faye Dunaway, Leonard Foglia, Michel Legrand, Sheldon
Harnick, Robert Woodruff, and Lillian Groag, Suzan has also proven to be a
skilled comedienne.
Perhaps what is most intriguing in a career such as Suzan’s is her constant
involvement with the creation of new works, be they Opera Theater or Theater
with Music. Through such productions, Suzan has found a particular niche where
she challenges the very lines of differentiation between actress and singer. How
exciting then, the prospect of Suzan breathing new life into traditional
operatic warhorses!
The current season has presented more new roles and opportunities, opening with
Polly Peachum in Christopher Alden’s intrepid THREE PENNY OPERA for Long Beach
Opera, film work as Vivian in an independent film titled A BLACK VEIL FOR
VIVIAN, followed by Suzan’s first Countess with Maestro Valery Ryvkin, Linda
Brovsky and Greensboro Opera. A foray into Wagner followed shortly after the New
Year, as Brunnhilde in SIEGFRIED and GOTTERDAMERUNG, and Freia in DAS RHEINGOLD
in LBO’s RING (Dove ) under the baton of Andreas Mitisek and the direction of
Jonathan Eaton. Suzan then returned to American Repertory Theater to work again
with director Robert Woodruff and composer/playwright/actor/singer Rinde Eckert
on his new piece ORPHEUS X, playing Eurydice to overwhelming critical acclaim.
During July Suzan reprised the Wagner RING (Dove) with Jonathan Eaton and Opera
Theater Pittsburgh, this time with Maestro Anthony Negus, followed in September
by her first Fiordiligi in COSI FAN TUTTE for Sacramento Opera. In November
Suzan will revisit the two female roles in SOUND OF A VOICE for Long Beach
Opera, once again with director Robert Woodruff, and Andreas Mitisek, conductor.
Recordings
by Ms. Hanson are available for purchase online at
Amazon
(type Suzan Hanson in the
top upper-left Search box).
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