KRISTIN BILODEAU SOPRANO
BIOGRAPHY
Coined as a “clear, well-produced Soprano” (San Diego Story), and praised for her “beautiful singing” (The Theatre Times), American Soprano, Kristin Bilodeau brings clarity and nuance to the stage. Kristin recently relocated to Austin, TX after a decade on the East Coast. Kristin is thrilled to be appointed as an Austin Opera Resident Star for the 2023-2024 Season. Austin Opera's Resident Stars perform in Long Center productions, represent Austin Opera in the community performing at events, and serve as teaching artists for the company's education programs. Kristin can be seen on the Long Center Stage performing in Pagliacci and Carmen. Kristin will be joining the roster at One Ounce Opera, performing in their 6th annual Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera early 2024. This program features 4 world premiering micro-operas in which Kristin will be performing the leading role in "An Artist's Regrets". The beginning of her 2023 season saw Kristin joining Gilbert and Sullivan Austin in their World Premiere performance of "The McAdo" a Scottish rebranding of the classic "Mikado". Kristin serves as the Soprano Choral Scholar at University Baptist Church.
Making home in Boston, Massachusetts Kristin was frequently seen on stages across the city. Regional companies include: MassOpera (formerly MetroWest Opera), Odyssey Opera, Opera Del West, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO), The Gena Branscombe Project, Masterworks Chorale, One City Choir, Boston Land Marks Orchestra and Grammy Award winning ensemble Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP). Kristin was on the roster with Opera on Tap New Hampshire, where she performs opera in "non traditional" spaces. Kristin has travelled across the nation and internationally with Young Artist Programs including Miami Music Festival, Opera NEO, and Oberlin in Italy.
Making a rise in the competition scene, Kristin was named a 2020 Grand Finalist in the Piccola Opera NH Opera Idol Compeition and a 2019 Regional Finalist in the Talents of the World International Voice Compeition.
Kristin’s most notable roles have included Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus), Monica (The Medium) , Laurentia (The Beautiful Bridegroom), Micaela (Carmen), Kitty Hart (Dead Man Walking), First Lady (The Magic Flute), and Governess (Turn of the Screw).
Kristin received her Master’s of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music and her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music, where she had the privilege of studying under the tutelage of world renowned soprano Jane Eaglen at both institutions.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
CARMEN
Ensemble
May 2nd-5th, 2024
Austin Opera
Arguably the sexiest role in opera, Carmen is a beautiful, free-spirited woman all too aware of her carnal allure, and yet, she despises any man who falls for her. When her mild flirtation with a soldier, Don José, ignites his flaming desire, Carmen rejects him for the famous bullfighter, Escamillo. José’s childhood sweetheart, Micaëla, visits on the pretext of persuading him to return home to his elderly mother, but she arrives just too late. José only has eyes for Carmen. His fate—and Carmen’s—has already been sealed. As José’s love degenerates into morbid obsession, Carmen must soon face the consequences of her need for freedom.
Austin Opera’s Sarah and Ernest Butler Music Director, Timothy Myers, will conduct.
AN ARTIST'S REGRETS
59 Year Old
February 23rd-25th, 2024
March 1st-3rd, 2024
One Ounce Opera
Immersed in a storm of contemplation and reflection, an Artist questions her chosen paths – and what she should’ve done instead – with the help of three unexpected yet all-too-familiar guests. How will what the guests offer affect the Artist’s interpretation of what has become their deepest regrets?
Music & libretto by Nell Clowder, with Linda Nenno, dramaturg
PAGLIACCI
Ensemble
November 4th-5th, 2023
Austin Opera
A traveling troupe of commedia dell’arte brings with them not only a play that is frighteningly true to life, but also a host of secrets and jealousies. In Pagliacci—Clowns—composer Ruggero Leoncavallo created not the usual love triangle, but a love quadrangle, with three men—Canio, Tonio, and Silvio—all fighting for the love and attention of one woman, Nedda. Using the classic ‘play within a play’ format, the real lives of the characters act as a mirror to their parts in the play, with tragic consequences. As the on-stage drama melds with real-life passions, the two stories explode in a finale of manipulation, jealousy, violence, and of course, death. This is commedia after all.
Austin Opera’s Sarah and Ernest Butler Music Director, Timothy Myers, will conduct this powerful heartbreaker, collaborating with director Tara Faircloth .
PRESS
Rosalinda, Die Fledermaus
"Fahning was perfectly able to capture every aspect and emotion of Rosalinda both with her beautiful singing and her speaking. Further for the character's entire journey, we remained on her side even as Rosalinda displayed some of her flaws." The Theatre Times
Laurentia, The Beautiful Bridegroom
"Singing throughout the piece was exceptional... Kristin Fahning and Laura Intravia played off of one another well as her two daughters, both in their purposefully stilted-looked choreography and their vocal shine" The Theatre Times
Kitty Hart, Dead Man Walking
"As the four parents of the murdered teenagers, Robert Turnage, Samantha Lax, Kristin Fahning, and Tyler Koch expressed grief for their children and anger at Sister Helen... yet never descended into stock characters." South Florida Classical Review
Micaela, Carmen
"Kristin Fahning is a clear, well-produced soprano who had the dramatic sense to avoid the self-pity with which some sopranos invest in Don José's jilted girlfriend." San Diego Story
