MEET THE SOLOIST: Susan Platts, mezzo-soprano

Susan Platts, mezzo-soprano performs Mahler's Rückert-Lieder
September 18, 2021 at 8PM

Background: British-born Canadian mezzo-soprano Susan Platts brings a uniquely rich and wide-ranging voice to concert and recital repertoire for alto and mezzo-soprano, particularly esteemed for her performances of Gustav Mahler's works. She is a Fellow of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, which gave her the opportunity to work closely with Jessye Norman.

Highlights:

• Ms. Platts’ recent opera highlights include Die Walküre with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mozart's Die Zauberflöte at the Royal Opera House, John Adams' Nixon in China with the BBC Symphony, as well as Britten's Albert Herring (Pacific Opera, Vancouver Opera), Erda in Wagner’s Das Rheingold (Pacific Opera) and Bernstein’s A Quiet Place(Montreal Symphony Orchestra). 
• Ms. Platts’ discography includes Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde (chamber version) on the Naxos label, Das Lied von der Erde (full version) for Fontec Records with the Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra, Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen with the Smithsonian Chamber Players and Santa Fe Pro Musica for Dorian Records, Brahms Zwei Gesänge with Steven Dann and Lambert Orkis, and a solo disc of Lieder by Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms on the ATMA label.
• Ms. Platts has appeared on many distinguished art song series including Vocal Arts Society at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Ladies Morning Musical Club in Montreal, Aldeburgh Connection in Toronto, and both the Frick Collection and Lincoln Center “Art of the Song” series in New York City.
  

Critical Praise:

• "Her voice is startlingly attractive from top to bottom, with a sure and strong upper register descending like honey to the yeasty depths of a contralto. A voice like this - there are not many - is such a pleasure to hear...radiantly persuasive..." Washington Post
• "It was difficult to imagine such rich, creamy, seamlessly produced sounds coming from such a petite person. Yet it was easy to imagine why they have attracted the attention of such major orchestras as the Cleveland, the Pittsburgh and Houston Symphonies, and l'Orchestre de Paris." Toronto Star
• "The dark amber tones of her mezzo soprano are substantial and yet flexible, secure and yet with an emotional vulnerability, powerful and yet not overbearing. Her musicianship, plenty of control, technique and linguistic ease is as impressive as her instrument." Globe and Mail.