Karen Slack

Watch Karen on the Big Screen as she makes her movie debut in Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls.”  Release Jan. 2011.  Karen appears as the leading soprano in an opera scene featuring her gorgeous vocal performance.

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Soprano Karen Slack’s voice sparkles with sheer brilliance and warmth in the roles of Mimi, Cio-Cio San, Suor Angelica, Liu, Luisa Miller, Arabella, Desdemona, Countess, Donna Anna, Tatyana, and Serena. She is also perfectly suited as soloist for the concert works of Strauss, Brahms, and Beethoven. The New York Times described her singing as “warmly expressive, especially in her brilliant top.” The Financial Times labeled her “a radiant spinto soprano.” And, The San Francisco Chronicle claimed she “was suitably grandiose of voice – she boots a large gleaming sound.” Her May 2009 performance of Verdi Requiem with Madison Symphony Orchestra garnered this review:  “Slack had a lovely dark tone color, harnessing a captivating depth of emotion especially in the final “Libera me.”

Karen made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2006 in the demanding title role of Luisa Miller and quickly followed that with performances at San Francisco Opera, Carnegie Hall, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia and Melbourne Symphony (Australia). Her young, successful career may seem to have happened instantaneously, but Karen had carefully laid a foundation to serve her well for longevity.

While a student at Curtis Institute, she was noticed by Santa Fe Opera and given a coveted place in their apprentice program. San Francisco Opera watched and rewarded her with an invitation to participate in the Merola Opera Program and followed that with an Adler Fellowship.

Karen has gained international attention as winner of several high-profile competitions: 2007 Jose Iturbi Competition, 2006 Portland Opera Lieber Award, 2005 Florida Grand Opera Competition, 2004 Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, 2000 George London Award, and, most recently, second prize in the prestigious Montserrat Caballé International Singing Competition in November 2008.

Future and recent engagements include the role of Cilla in the relatively new, American opera Margaret Garner for Michigan Opera Theater, Serena in Porgy and Bess for San Francisco Opera and Washington National Opera and soprano soloist for Verdi Requiem with Madison Symphony Orchestra.