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Artist Profile
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Susan Asbjornson
Soprano
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| Type: | Soprano |
| Genre: | Opera | | Location: | Hermosa Beach, California
United States |
| | Company: | Contemporary Opera Los Angeles | | Website: | SusanAsbjornson.com | |
General | | Biography: | Susan Asbjornson is described by Classical Singer Magazine as a soprano whose "rich musical and theatrical background -- modeling, television, plays, commercials, film, musical theatre and opera -- has made her one of the most exciting performers on stage in opera today." Ms. Asbjornson earned a Masters Degree in Music and her considerable talents have taken her around the globe where she has performed in the Czech-Republic, Austria, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, and France, and throughout the United States. Favorite past roles include Frasquita and Micaela in Carmen, First Lady in The Magic Flute, Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte and the role of Danielle in the new opera Cindy Lou last summer with Contemporary Opera of Los Angeles.
Ms. Asbjornson has "proved herself to be a gifted singer..." with performances that are "heart-rendering." She is an accomplished singer-actress who has the power to communicate with presence and refinement but, as critic Bernard Levine points out, "she can also keep the audience roaring with laughter despite of the fact that they are listening to one of the most beautiful voices around." In competition, Ms. Asbjornson has earned two prestigious awards: The Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation Music Scholarship and the Salzburg Institute Scholarship.
Last fall (2004) Ms. Asbjornson sang in a new musical at the Secret Rose Theatre in NoHo and another new musical at the award winning Celebration Theatre in Hollywood. She was also in a staged reading of the play Viagra Falls written by the very funny Lou Cutell and starred opposite the legendary Norm Crosby. This summer (2005) she starred in Observation of the Onset Phenomenon, written by Jake Jay at the Boston Court Theater in Pasadena and received critical acclaim for the Hollywood debut of her very funny one-woman show DIVA! in which she introduces opera by singing 9 famous arias in modern English and costume. Jacob Clark said," From the moment Susan Asbjornson steps into the playing area, the music and acting is fast and furious...an amazing performance. Daily Variety said, "Glamour and vulnerability...fresh appeal...exciting high notes". Madeleine Shaner said, "Terrific acting ability, excellent soprano delivery."
In addition, Ms. Asbjornson has composed one opera and is working on another as well as a musical for child actors. She has produced a compilation Opera CD for Rhino Records, has dubbed other singers voices -who shall remain nameless - in opera videos, is a sought after singer for demo CDs as well as film soundtracks. Ms. Asbjornson is also an opera set design consultant for the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, gives Master Classes to choirs in local schools and colleges plus she volunteers to teach music in schools who do not have any music program through the Contemporary Opera of Los Angeles. www.ContemporaryOpera.com
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