Kathryn Henry

 

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Hailed for her “clean coloratura and silvery voice,” Kathryn Henry is quickly making a name for herself as one of the most promising artists to watch. She graciously moves audiences with her “flawless sense of line” and “shimmering warmth of sound” that “combines dignity and strength with profound sorrow.”

Ms. Henry notably assumed the title role in Janáček’s Jenůfa, substitute to Lise Davidsen, with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, where she also sings the High Priestess in Francesca Zambello’s production of Verdi’s Aida. She then debuts with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in Strauss’ Four Last Songs. In the summer of 2023, she joined the Aspen Music Festival as a Renée Fleming Artist where she sang the role of Roxane Coss in Bel Canto. In the summer of 2021, she portrayed Lucy Harker in the world premiere of John Corigliano’s The Lord of Cries at The Santa Fe Opera. The recording of that work by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project recently received a Grammy nomination in the Best Opera Recording category. 

In the 2022/23 season, Ms. Henry had the distinct honor of working with Sir Antonio Pappano and soprano Gweneth Ann Rand as a member of the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme. As a member of the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, she covered Mother in Hänsel und Gretel, debuted in the world premiere of Proximity, and debuted a partial recital with pianist Chris Reynolds on WFMT 98.7FM, Chicago’s classical music station. Ms. Henry also performed selections from Ernani and Fiddler on the Roof in “Sunday in the Park with Lyric” at Millennium Park, under the baton of Maestro Enrique Mazzola.

For the 2021/22 season, Ms. Henry had the distinct honor of working with fellow soprano and mentor Renée Fleming in Carnegie Hall’s Song Studio. Following her success in La tragédie de Carmen (Micaëla), Ms. Henry made her highly anticipated return to the Florentine Opera Company as the title role in Viardot’s Cendrillon. She also made debuts with Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera (Norma), Walla Walla Symphony (Beethoven 9), and Racine Symphony Orchestra (Fauré Requiem). In the summer of 2021, Ms. Henry had the distinct honor of joining the Santa Fe Opera, where she performed the role of Lucy Harker in the world premiere of John Corigliano and Mark Adamo’s The Lord of Cries and covered the role of Helena in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

In her studies as a Toulmin Foundation Scholar at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, she was seen on the mainstage as Arminda in La Finta Giardiniera and covered the title role in Janáček’s Katya Kabanova. She had the honor of celebrating the 80th birthdays of William Bolcom and John Corigliano as part of the New York Festival of Song at Juilliard, alongside legendary pianist Steven Blier. Further opera credits include Governess in The Turn of the Screw, First Lady in Die Zauberflöte, and the title role in Suor Angelica. As a Baumgartner Studio Artist with the Florentine Opera Company, she covered the role of La Contessa in Le nozze di Figaro. Additionally, she has covered Juliette in Roméo et Juliette with Wolf Trap Opera and Mimi in La bohéme with the Chautauqua Institution.

Acclaimed for her interpretation of song and symphonic works, Ms. Henry has appeared as a guest soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra. In recital, Ms. Henry has presented a program of women composers with the Green Lake Festival of Music, featuring songs of Clara Schumann, Marguerite Canal, Undine Smith Moore, Libby Larsen, Madison Cunningham, and Joni Mitchell. She has also presented recitals with the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago and the Beyond the Aria series at the Harris Theater alongside tenor Lawrence Brownlee and pianist Craig Terry. Other collaborators include Brian Zeger, Craig Rutenburg, and Mikael Eliasen. She was a member of the 2020 Steans Music Institute at the Ravinia Festival and in 2017, was invited to Japan as a guest singer in the Kyoto International Student Music Festival. 

Ms. Henry was a finalist in the 2015 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the 2018 Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers at Houston Grand Opera, the 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, the 2021 National Opera Association Carolyn Bailey and Dominick Argento Vocal Competition, and the 2022 Vincerò World Singing Competition. She has also won awards in the Musicians Club of Women Vocal Competition and the Opera Index Vocal Competition and was a semi-finalist in the 2020 James Toland Vocal Arts International Singing Competition. Following her debut at Santa Fe Opera, she was awarded the Lillian Caroff Mayer Award for outstanding talent and work as a part of the Apprentice Singer program.