Susan Graham

Susan Graham (born July 23, 1960, Roswell, New Mexico) is an American mezzo-soprano.

Raised in Midland, Texas, she is a graduate of Texas Tech University and the Manhattan School of Music. She studied the piano for 13 years. [ [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0,,1369876,00.html Martin Kettle, "America's most wanted". "The Guardian", 10 December 2004.] ] She was a winner in the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions, and also a recipient of the Schwabacher Award from the Merola Program of San Francisco Opera.

Graham made her international début at Covent Garden in 1994, playing Massenet's Chérubin. [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article1484987.ece Hugh Canning, "Everything but the girl". "The Times", 11 March 2007.] ] She has also premièred several roles in contemporary operas, including John Harbison's "The Great Gatsby" (Jordan Baker), Jake Heggie's "Dead Man Walking" (Sister Helen Prejean), and Tobias Picker's "An American Tragedy" (Sondra Finchley). [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/05/arts/music/05trag.html?ex=1179374400&en=d89739998224e40d&ei=5070 Anthony Tommasini, "Dreiser's Chilling Tale of Ambition and Its Price". "New York Times", 5 December 2005.] ]

Graham is a noted champion of the French song repertoire [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/31/arts/31grah.html?ex=1179374400&en=c9974021fa030ad8&ei=5070 Allan Kozinn, "Taking a Two-Century Voyage Through the Music of France". "New York Times", 31 January 2007.] ] and of songs by contemporary American composers, including Ned Rorem and Lowell Liebermann. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7D71231F93AA25757C0A9669C8B63 Anthony Tommasini, "A Singer at Ease in Opera and in Song Repertory". "New York Times", 19 April 2000.] ] Graham made her Carnegie Hall recital debut in April 2003, [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E0D7163AF93BA25757C0A9659C8B63 Allan Kozinn, "A Brisk Tour, Concluding With a Boa". "New York Times", 18 April 2003.] ] and a recording of this recital was later released.

Graham sang "Bless This House" at George W. Bush's second inauguration on 20 January 2005. She is a US delegate for UNESCO. [U.S. National Commission for UNESCO [http://www.state.gov/p/io/unesco/members/48836.htm Susan Graham] ] [ [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/09/20030929-6.html Mrs. Bush's Remarks to UNESCO Plenary Session in Paris] ]

Opera roles

Her operatic roles include:
* Samuel Barber
** "Vanessa" (Erika) ["The Observer" (Anthony Holden) [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1091134,00.html Vanessa, you've been a very lucky girl] 23 November 2003] ["The Guardian" (Tim Ashley) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/critic/review/0,,1087414,00.html Vanessa] 18 November 2003]
* Hector Berlioz
** "Béatrice et Bénédict" (Béatrice) 1997 [Philip Anson [http://www.scena.org/lsm/sm2-10/sm2-10Beatrice.html Béatrice et Bénédict: Bis!] 1 July 1997]
** La damnation de Faust (Marguerite) La Scala
** "Les Troyens" (Didon) Théâtre du Châtelet, (Paris)
* Christoph Willibald Gluck
** "Iphigénie en Tauride" (Iphigénie) ["The Guardian" (Edward Greenfield) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/saturday_review/story/0,,355842,00.html A new leash of life] 19 August 2000]
* Alexander Goehr
** "Arianna" (Arianna)
* Charles Gounod
** Roméo et Juliette (Stephano) Seattle Opera
* George Frideric Handel
** "Alcina" (Ruggerio) [Renée Fleming [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,,1498747,00.html Fifty ways to sing about love] ]
** "Ariodante" Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera
* John Harbison
** "Great Gatsby" (Jordan Baker) 1999 ["The Guardian" (Martin Kettle) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/saturday_review/story/0,,248684,00.html Great Scott! Jay and Daisy bring the jazz age to the Met] ]
* Jake Heggie
** "Dead Man Walking" (Sister Helen Prejean)
* Franz Lehár
** "The Merry Widow" Hanna Glawari (the title character) [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9400E7DF1F3FF937A15751C1A9659C8B63 Anne Midgette, "How to Take a Widow Three Stages Past Merry". "New York Times", 24 December 2003.] ] [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E7D81F3EF931A35752C0A9629C8B63 Anthony Tommasini, "The Merry Widow Meets The Embarrassed Fiancée". "New York Times", 2 January 2004.] ]
* Jules Massenet
** "Werther" (Charlotte)
** "Chérubin" Royal Opera House ["The Guardian" (Alfred Hickling) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0,,1059215,00.html Louche cannon] 10 October 2003]
* Claudio Monteverdi
** "L'incoronazione di Poppea" (Poppea)
* Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
** "Così fan tutte" (Dorabella)
** "Don Giovanni" (Donna Elvira) Lyric Opera of Chicago [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/26/arts/music/26lyri.html?ex=1179374400&en=a97c9f9deeb70f9e&ei=5070 Bernard Holland, "What Use an Update if Hearts Beat Still the Same?". "New York Times", 26 October 2004.] ]
** "Idomeneo" (Idamante) Houston Grand Opera, Palais Garnier, Paris
** "La clemenza di Tito" (Sesto) Opéra National de Paris and concert performances ["The Guardian" (George Hall) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,1476023,00.html "La Clemenza di Tito"] 4 May 2005]
** "Le Nozze di Figaro" (Cherubino) Metropolitan Opera
** "Lucio Silla" (Cecilio), Santa Fe Opera [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/01/arts/music/01sant.html?ex=1179547200&en=b2d4889eee8892ef&ei=5070 Bernard Holland, "Haunted by the Deaths of Martyrs, a Century Apart". "New York Times", 1 August 2005.] ]
* Tobias Picker
** "An American Tragedy" (Sondra Finchley) Metropolitan Opera world première
* Henry Purcell
** "Dido and Aeneas" (Sorceress, Dido)
* Gioachino Rossini
** Il barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina)
* Richard Strauss
** "Ariadne auf Naxos" (Composer) Metropolitan Opera, [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/27/arts/music/27naxo.html?ex=1179374400&en=bd8ce250fd1323a7&ei=5070 Anthony Tommasini, "A Lithuanian Soprano Creates Her Own Ariadne ". "New York Times", 27 September 2005.] ] Royal Opera House, ["The Guardian" (Tim Ashley) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/critic/review/0,,1246148,00.html Ariadne auf Naxos] 24 June 2004] and Glyndebourne ["The Observer" (Anthony Holden) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/observer/story/0,,1253282,00.html Even the corpse is fantastic] ]
** "Der Rosenkavalier" (Octavian) [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/arts/music/15rose.html?ex=1179374400&en=c4ecc97e6b10c567&ei=5070 Jeremy Eichler, "Lushly Lamenting the Wages of Time and a Lost Golden Age". "New York Times", 15 March 2005.] ]
* Giuseppe Verdi
** Falstaff (Meg Page)

Awards

* 2001 Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) [ [http://www.frenchculture.org/people/honorees/roremgraham.html Ned Rorem and Susan Graham Decoration] ]
* June 2005 Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters
* "Musical America" 2004 Vocalist of the Year
* September 5, 2006 Midland, Texas first annual "Susan Graham Day" [ [http://www.lyricopera.org/img/news/immediate.pdf Midland, Texas declares Sept 5 “Susan Graham Day”] ]

Some of the recordings have also received awards. See below.

Recordings

Susan Graham's recordings (in chronological order):

;1992
* "Le sacre du printemps, Pulcinella" (Stravinsky) Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz (conductor) Delos Records 3100 ;1995
* "Scenes from Goethe's Faust" (Schumann) Bryn Terfel, Karita Mattila, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Barbara Bonney, Endrik Wottrich, Iris Vermillion, Brigitte Poschner-Klebel, Susan Graham, Hans-Peter Blochwitz, Harry Peeters, Berliner Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado (conductor). Sony Classical 66308 ;1996
* "Roméo et Juliette" (Charles Gounod) Plácido Domingo, Ruth Ann Swenson, Miles, Kurt Ollmann, Susan Graham, Alain Vernhes, Paul Charles Clarke Bayerischen Rundfunkorchester und chor, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Leonard Slatkin (conductor). RCA 68440 ;1997
* "Béatrice et Bénédict" (Berlioz). Catherine Robbin (Ursule), Gabriel Bacquier (Somarone), Gilles Cachemaille (Claudio), Jean-Luc Viala (Bénédict), Philippe Magnant (Léonato), Susan Graham (Béatrice), Sylvia McNair (Héro), Vincent le Texier (Don Pedro), Lyon Opera Orchestra and Chorus, John Nelson (conductor). MusiFrance 2292
* "The Gold & Silver Gala" Susan duets with Plácido Domingo in La Ci Darem La Mano. EMI Classics 56337
* "Les nuits d'été and Opera Arias" (Berlioz) "Les nuits d'été" Op. 7 and songs from "La Damnation De Faust" Op. 24, "Benvenuto Cellini", "Les Troyens", "Béatrice et Bénédict". Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, John Nelson (conductor) Sony 62730 ;1998
* "La Belle Époque – The Songs of Reynaldo Hahn" (Hahn) Roger Vignoles (piano) Sony. Awards: Winner of "Performance Today" "Critic's Choice" Award; the 1999 Caecilia Prize; Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik critic's award; Choc du Monde de la Musique; Opera International's Timbre de Platine. Sony 60168
* Ravel: "Shéhérazade", Debussy La damoiselle elue, Britten "Les illuminations". Sylvia McNair, Susan Graham, Boston Symphony Orchestra Seiji Ozawa. Philips 446682. (Susan sings on La damoiselle elue.) ;2000
* Strauss: "Der Rosenkavalier" Act 1 - closing scene; Act 3 - Trio and finale; Arabella Act 1 duet; Capriccio - closing scene. Renée Fleming (Marschallin), Barbara Bonney, Susan Graham (Octavian), Vienna PO, Christoph Eschenbach (conductor) Decca 466 314-2 ["The Guardian" (Edward Greenfield) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0,,240080,00.html Other classical releases] 4 February 2000]
* "Songs of Ned Rorem" (Rorem) Malcolm Martineau (piano) Rorem's settings of poems by Paul Goodman, Theodore Roethke, Witter Bynner, Tennyson, Walt Whitman and others. Erato 80222 ["The Guardian" (Andrew Clements) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0,,178257,00.html Other classical releases] 31 March 2000]
* "Alcina" (Handel) Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Natalie Dessay, Kathleen Kuhlmann, Timothy Robinson, Laurent Naouri, Juanita Lascarro, Michael Loughlin-Smith, Maurizio Rossano, Laurent Collobert, Eric Demarteau, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie (conductor). Erato 80233 ["The Guardian" (Andrew Clements) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0,,230232,00.html Pretty vacant] 18 February 2000]
* Berlioz: "L'enfance du Christ"; "Three Irlande songs"; "Sara la baigneuse" Susan Graham, François Le Roux, John Mark Ainsley, Montreal SO and Chorus, Dutoit. Decca ["The Guardian" (Edward Greenfield) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0,,391638,00.html Classical CD releases] 3 November 2000] ;2001
* "Il tenero momento" (Mozart and Gluck). Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Harry Bicket (conductor) Erato Best Recital Disc in 2001 ("The Gramophone"), German Echo Klassik award, Prix Gabriel Fauré and the Grand Prix (Académie du disque) ["The Guardian" (Tim Ashley) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0,,468918,00.html Classical CD releases] 6 April 2001] ;2002
* "Dead Man Walking" (Heggie) Susan Graham, Catherine Cook, Robert Orth, Frederica Von Stade, Nicolle Foland, David Harper, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Patrick Summers (conductor). Erato 86238-2 ["The Guardian" (Andrew Clements) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0,,735291,00.html Classical CD releases] 5 April 2002]
* "C'est ça la vie, c'est ça l'amour" (Songs by Moïse Simons, Messager, Maurice Yvain, Honegger, Hahn, and Mahler) City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Yves Abel (conductor). Erato 42106

;2003"At Carnegie Hall" (Songs by Brahms, Debussy, Berg, Poulenc, Messager, Moïse Simons, Hahn, Mahler, and Ben Moore.) Malcolm Martineau (piano) Erato 2564 60295-2 [BBC Classical Review (Andrew McGregor) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/classical/reviews/susangraham_carnegie.shtml Susan Graham at Carnegie Hall] (includes audio samples)] ["New York" (Peter G. Davis) [http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/arts/music/classical/reviews/n_8688/ Cosi Fan Tutte, Beatrice et Benedict, Susan Graham] ] [WILLIAM DART [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=3536017 On track: Album captures special occasion for Susan Graham] "The New Zealand Herald" 26 November 2003] ;2004
* "Concord Sonata - Songs" (Ives) 2005 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance. Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano), Emmanuel Pahud (flute), Tabea Zimmermann (viola). Warner Classics 2564 60297-2 [BBC Classical Review (Andrew McGregor) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/classical/reviews/ivesconcord_aimard.shtml Ives: Concord Sonata, Songs, Pierre-Laurent Aimard/Susan Graham] ] ["The New York Times" (Jeremy Eichler) [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02EFD61031F931A25751C1A9629C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fG%2fGraham%2c%20Susan The Best Classical CD's of 2004; IVES: SONGS, 'CONCORD' SONATA] ] ["The Observer" (Anthony Holden) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/observer/story/0,,1217772,00.html Ives, Piano Sonata No 2 'Concord'] 16 May 2004] ["The Guardian" (Andrew Clements) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/critic/review/0,,1210836,00.html Ives: Piano Sonata No 2, Concorde; Songs: Graham/ Aimard] 7 May 2004]

* "Vanessa" (Barber). Susan Graham (Erika), Christine Brewer (Vanessa), William Burden (Anatol), Michael Davis, Neal Davies (The Old Doctor), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (Old Baroness), Simon Birchall (Nicholas), Stephen Charlesworth (Footman), BBC Singers (Servants, Guests, Peasants), Anthony Legge (conductor), BBC Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin (conductor). Chandos CHSA 5032 ["The Guardian" (Edward Greenfield) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0,,1348800,00.html Barber: Vanessa, Brewer/ Graham/ Wyn-Rogers/ Burden/ Davies/ BBC Singers and SO/ Slatkin] ]

* "Les Troyens" (Berlioz) — DVD. Susan Graham (Dido), Gregory Kunde (Aeneas), Laurent Naouri (Narbal), Lydia Korniordou (Andromache), Mark Padmore (Iopas), Topi Lehtipuu (Hylas/Helenus), Fernand Bernardi (Ghost of Hector), Danielle Bouthillon (Hecube), Nicolas Courjal (Trojan Guard), Benjamin Davies (Trojan soldier), Frances Jellard (Polyxenes), Anna Caterina Antonacci (Cassandra), Ludovic Tézier (Chorèbe), Renata Pokupic (Anna), Hippolyte Lykavieris (Astyanax), Stéphanie d'Oustrac (Ascanius), Nicolas Testé (Panthus), René Schirrer (Priam), Laurent Alvaro (Trojan Guard), Robert Davies (Greek Captain), Simon Davies (Priest of Pluto), Monteverdi Choir. BBC / Opus Arte
* "Dido and Aeneas" (Purcell) Susan Graham (Dido), Ian Bostridge (Aeneas), Camilla Tilling (Belinda), Felicity Palmer (Sorceress), David Daniels (Spirit), Cécile de Boever (Second Woman), Paul Agnew (A Sailor), Emmanuelle Haïm (conductor), European Voices, Le Concert d'Astrée. Virgin Veritas 45605. Grammy Award nomination. Maria Callas award from the Académie du Disque Lyrique [BBC Classical Review (Andrew McGregor) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/classical/reviews/purcell_dido.shtml Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Susan Graham, Ian Bostridge etc] (includes samples)] ["The New York Times" (Allan Kozinn) [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D03EED61031F931A25751C1A9629C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fG%2fGraham%2c%20Susan The Best Classical CD's of 2004; PURCELL: 'DIDO AND AENEAS'] ]

;2005
* "Poèmes de l'amour" — Chausson "Poeme de l’amour et de la mer"; Ravel "Sheherazade"); Debussy orch. Adams Songs from "Le Livre De Baudelaire" BBC Symphony Orchestra, Yan Pascal Tortelier Warner Classics 2564 619382 (CD) ["The Guardian" (Andrew Clements) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/critic/review/0,,1487878,00.html Chausson Poème de l'Amour et de la Mer; Ravel: Shéhérazade; Debussy (arr. Adams): Le Livre de Baudelaire: Graham/ BBC SO/ Tortelier] 20 May 2005] ["The Observer" (Anthony Holden) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/observer/story/0,,1484063,00.html Debussy/Chausson/Ravel, Songs] 15 May 2005]
* "Sacred Songs" Renée Fleming (soprano), London Voices, RPO/Delfs. Decca 475 6925. Susan sings a duet with Renée in "Abends will ich schlafen gehn" from Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hänsel und Gretel". ["The Observer" (Anthony Holden) [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/observer/story/0,,1598385,00.html Classical CDs: Mozart | Sacred Songs | Matthew Taylor] 23 October 2005] ;2006
* "La Clemenza di Tito" (Mozart). – DVD. Susan Graham (Sesto). Opus Arte OA 0942
* "Werther" (Massenet) — DVD Thomas Hampson (Werther), Susan Graham (Charlotte), Sandrine Piau, Stephane Degout (Albert), Michel Plasson (conductor), Chatelet Opera, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse. Virgin Classics

;2008
* Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, La mort de Cléopâtre Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle EMI 2162240 [Rick Jones [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article4618477.ece Simon Rattle: Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique] "The Times" 30 August 2008] [Anthony Holden [http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/aug/31/classicalmusicandopera Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique Berlin Philharmonic/Rattle (EMI 216 2240)] # "The Observer" 31 August 2008]
* "Un Frisson Français: A Century of French Song" Songs by Georges Bizet, Cesar Franck, Édouard Lalo, Charles Gounod, Camille Saint-Saëns, Emmanuel Chabrier, Émile Paladilhe, Ernest Chausson, Alfred Bachelet, Henri Duparc, Maurice Ravel, André Caplet, Albert Roussel, Olivier Messiaen, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Fauré, Reynaldo Hahn, Erik Satie, Arthur Honegger, Joseph Canteloube, Manuel Rosenthal, and Francis Poulenc. Malcolm Martineau (piano) Onyx Classics ONYX4030

References

External links

* [http://www.susangraham.com/ Susan Graham's official website] has much of the information you might need to know.
* [http://www.operabase.com/listart.cgi?name=Susan+Graham&loose=E&acts=+Schedule+ Operabase performance schedule]
* The [http://www.fanfaire.com/graham/index.html FanFaire] site includes some audio clips. The design of this site is rather quirky so you may have to rummage around a bit.
* The [http://www.imgartists.com/?page=artist&id=328 IMG Artists] site includes a large photograph.
* [http://www.sonyclassical.com/artists/graham/bio.html Sony Classical] has a biography and discography of her two Sony releases.
* "The New York Times" [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/g/susan_graham/index.html Susan Graham News] "NYT" current and archive articles
* [http://www.operajaponica.org/interviews/susangraham.htm Opera Japonica] 2001 interview
* [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2355869.ece Off with the trousers: The Texan opera singer Susan Graham is finally ditching the boys for some real heroines]
* [http://my.voyager.net/~duffie/grahamwp.htm Susan Graham interview] by Bruce Duffie