Lisa Saffer
{{Short description|American opera singer and teacher}}
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|06|03}}
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| nationality = American
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| known_for = soprano; opera singer
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Lisa Saffer (born June 3, 1960) is a soprano singer of opera, particularly Bach, Handel and modern works. She also teaches voice at the New England Conservatory.
Early life and education
Saffer originates from Madison, Wisconsin, USA.{{cite web |title=Lisa Saffer (Soprano) |url=https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Saffer-Lisa.htm |website=Bach Cantatas |access-date=5 September 2021}} She was awarded a bachelor's degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music, with Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory.{{cite web |title=Lisa Saffer |url=https://necmusic.edu/faculty/lisa-saffer |website=New England Conservatory |access-date=25 August 2021}}
Voice
Saffer is a soprano. Her voice has been described as "Her silvery, brainy vocalism was world-class throughout and in the last celebratory aria, she brought the house down, rocketing off coloratura with flourish and showing off a splendid high C." (The Boston Globe,{{full citation needed|date=March 2022}} when she performed Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare).
Career
Her career has led to acclaim for her interpretation of contemporary scores and as well as Bach, Handel and other baroque music. She has performed in the US and worldwide. Notable performances of modern works have been with the Royal Philharmonic (2002){{cite news |last1=Clements |first1=Andrew |title=Lulu|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/may/03/classicalmusicandopera.artsfeatures |access-date=28 October 2021 |work=The Guardian|date=3 May 2002}} and English National Opera (2005) as Lulu in Berg's eponymous opera,{{cite news |title=Lisa Saffer |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/lisa-saffer-69gqmc39n2d |access-date=28 October 2021 |work=The Times|date=24 February 2006}}{{cite web |title=Lulu|url=https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/lulu-rev |website=British Theatre Guide |access-date=28 October 2021}} recorded in 2005{{cite web |title=Alban Berg – Lulu|url=https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%203130 |website=Chandos |access-date=28 October 2021}} and the role of Marie in Zimmermann's Die Soldaten with the English National Opera, Opéra Bastille and New York City Opera.{{cite web |title=Soprano Lisa Saffer, pianist Anastasia Antonacos to perform |url=https://www.bates.edu/news/2009/04/23/lisa-saffer/ |website=Bates News |date=23 April 2009 |publisher=Bates College |access-date=28 October 2021}} Her performances of classical works have included Handel's Messiah with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream with the New York Philharmonic.
Her performances have been recorded by several organisations including Harmonia Mundi, Warner Classics, New World Records and Chandos Records.
In 2010 she joined the New England Conservatory and teaches voice.
Awards
In May 2003 she received the Singer Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society in recognition of her performance in live classical music in the UK.{{cite web |title=Singer: Past Winners |url=https://royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_music_awards/latest-winners/past-winners/singer |website=royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk |publisher=Royal Philharmonic Society |access-date=17 August 2021}} She has been awarded the Anna Case Mackay Memorial Award, one of the annual Outstanding Apprentice Awards from the Santa Fe Opera, U.S.A and has been nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in Opera for her performance with the English National Opera as Lulu in Berg's eponymous opera. She is a recipient of a National Music Theater Institute grant.
References
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Category:American operatic sopranos
Category:Oberlin College alumni
Category:20th-century American women opera singers
Category:21st-century American women opera singers