Laura McHugh, an exceptionally versatile soprano “ready for heavenly ascent” (Boston Musical Intelligencer) lauded for her “superb, floating” sound (Melrose Free Press) and penchant for “hilarious interpretation” (Voce di Meche), recently won 1st Place in the Classical Singer National Competition (Emerging Professional Division), 1st Place in the Vermont Vocal Competition, and 2nd Place in Classical Idol (VOX New England). As a 2021 Artist-in-Residence with Promenade Opera Project, she will appear as the title character in Rusalka, and create the role of The Reaper in the World Premiere of the comedic farce, Reap What You Soul. She will debut as the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte this winter with Music On Site, Inc. Laura makes her Tulsa Opera debut in Spring 2022 as Harriet Mosher in a new production of Emmeline.

 

Laura made her European (and Wagnerian) debut as the Valkyrie Gerhilde in a touring production of Die Walküre in Sweden. Recent credits include Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Mimì and Musetta (La bohème), Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica), Countess Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), Gerhilde (Die Walküre), Giulietta (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Gräfin Mariza (Gräfin Mariza), and Vitellia (La clemenza di Tito).

 

Laura appeared in Winterreise: In a New Light- a staged reinterpretation of Schubert’s Die Winterreise- which was awarded Vocal Recital of the Year (2016) by Boston’s WBUR, and has been an active recitalist since. She recently made her debut as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Harvard Musical Association, her latest of several appearances as a soloist in major orchestral works. Also a gifted crossover performer, Laura’s movement onstage often draws upon her 15 years of dance training in ballet, tap, and jazz.

 

Laura is a sought-after performer of New Music and English-language works, and her credits include several World Premieres. She is an accomplished liturgical musician, and is one of Boston’s most in-demand wedding singers.

 

Laura continues to pull from her broad musical influences and interests. She has sung guest lead vocals with Irish folk band The Silver Spears; has showcased her musical theatre chops starring in a production of You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown as Sally Brown (the title character’s annoying little sister); and her classical backing vocals appear on German metal band Blind Guardian’s 2019 orchestral album, Legacy of the Dark Lands.

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