Biography

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Carol Ann Manzi is one of the most soulful sopranos in the world today. Opera News has called Carol Ann Manzi's voice "secure, warm and multifaceted" while nearly every publication has raved about her "gorgeous and crystalline pianissimo singing", her expressivity, long lines and highly believable interpretations.

In 2007-08, the Yale graduate continues her worldwide public speaking and concerts for breast cancer and other causes with engagements in Austria, The Czech Republic, Dallas, Washington D.C., and other parts of the U.S. She has appeared as guest soloist three times at the Jefferson Jackson National Democratic Fund-raiser in Southern California. She debuted with Voices of Change and Voces Intimae in concerts under the direction of Maestro Joseph Illick in a variety of art song and chamber music at the Fort Worth Museum of Contemporary Art. She debuted with the Highlander Concert Series for Aaron Copland's In the Beginning and Handel's MESSIAH (her first as a mezzo soloist) in Dallas. She has concertized extensively in Southern California and in Oregon.

Miss Manzi debuts with Pacific Opera Repertory Company for two concerts in August and will sing MADAME BUTTERFLY for the company in March 2009. A cycle of songs about peace is being composed for her with musical settings by Thomas Heck, PhD. and poetry by Dr. David Krieger, President and founder of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA.

Recent opera engagements include her return to Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center singing Maria in Mascagni's GUGLIELMO RATCLIFF. She debuted with Abeline Opera in Texas in her first MADAME BUTTERFLY. She then returned to Opera Carolina after a triumphant Liù in TURANDOT to sing Mimì in LA BOHÈME. Miss Manzi returned to the Sarasota Opera for a fifth season to sing Fiora in Montemezzi's L'AMORE DEI TRE RE after triumphs in the roles of Magda (LA RODINE), Vivetta (L'ARLESIANA), Leila (THE PEARL FISHERS) in addition to performances of Mimì for both Greensboro Opera, Eugene Opera and Sarasota Opera.

In concert she has appeared at the Toledo Opera, Opera Maine, Connecticut Opera, Sarasota Opera, Eugene Opera and The Tanglewood Festival singing a wide range of repertoire that spans from the classical song to Sondheim. Also to her concert credits are appearances with the Hartford Symphony, The Eugene Symphony, The Rogue Symphony, The Litchfield, Meriden and New Haven Symphonies for The Messiah, The Verdi Requiem, Elijah, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, Mozart's Coronation Mass, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, in addition to opera, operetta and musical theater galas in concert halls worldwide.

Other roles to this versatile soprano's list include, Tosca, Magda (LA RONDINE), The Countess, Carmen, Vivetta (L'ARLESIANA), Musetta, Violetta, Nedda, Fiordiligi, Leila (THE PEARL FISHERS), and Rosalinda at Yale Opera, Sarasota Opera, Alice Tully Hall, The Connecticut Opera, Eugene Opera, Opera Theatre of Connecticut and Opera Santa Barbara. Carol Ann Manzi has garnered top awards, prizes and scholarships from the Yale Opera, the Banff and Tanglewood Festivals, The MacAllisters, Rosa Ponselle and Jenny Lind Competitions and the Sarasota, Miami and Connecticut Operas.

Miss Manzi begins a foray into the mezzo soprano repertoire in the roles of Carmen, Donna Elvira, Santuzza, Dorabella, Leonora, Dalila and Charlotte.

She has recorded SONGS OF COMFORT AND COURAGE to benefit a variety of cancer causes, LOOK TO THE RAINBOW, and THE MOST BELOVED SONGS OF CHRISTMAS with classical guitarist Thomas Heck. She is on the prestigious rosters of SPEAKERS INTERNATIONAL and the NATIONAL SURVIVORS DAY FOUNDATION of speakers.