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 2006-07, the Yale graduate continues her worldwide public speaking and concerts for breast cancer causes with engagements in Austria, The Czech Republic, Poland, Pakistan, Dallas, TX, Washington D.C., and various parts of the U.S. Ms. Manzi has appeared in concert at the prestigious Music Academy of the West in a concert of arias and an original composition by pianist/composer, Stephen Kelly - a performance she will repeat in July, and has also appeared in concert for the Giuliani Guitar Festival in Pasadena, CA in songs of Mauro Giuliani. In autumn, she concertizes in Austria, The Czech Republic and she records an album of sacred music in Prague, with Maestro Vladimir Popelka and an album of Giuliani songs for Soprano and Guitar, with Almer Imanovic in L.A. She has appeared as guest soloist at the Jefferson Jackson National Democratic Fund-raiser in Southern California, where General and former presidential candidate, Wesley Clark was the guest speaker.

In 2007 she continues to record and concertize in various parts of Europe and the U.S. She debuts 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. Upcoming is a performance of contemporary song at the Fort Worth Museum of Contemporary Art on June 9th.

Most recently Ms. Manzi made 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 Madama Butterfly. She then returned to Opera Carolina after a triumphant Liù in TURANDOT to sing Mimì in LA BOHÈME. Ms. 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 Rondine), Vivetta (L'Arlesiana), Leila (The Pearl Fishers) in addition to performances of Mimì for both Greensboro Opera, Eugene Opera and Sarasota Opera.

In concert, Ms. Manzi 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.

Manzi has recorded SONGS OF COMFORT AND COURAGE to benefit a variety of cancer causes, and most recently, LOOK TO THE RAINBOW, also to benefit cancer causes. She is on the prestigious rosters of SPEAKERS INTERNATIONAL and the NATIONAL SURVIVORS DAY FOUNDATION of speakers.