Brenna Wells
 
Brenna Wells

Biography

Education

PGDip in Vocal Performance w/ Distinction, Royal College of Music , London – July, 2004
Mmus in Vocal Performance w/ Distinction, Longy School of Music , MA – May, 2001
Bmus in Vocal Performance, Western Washington University , WA – June, 1998

Opera Roles - Full

  • Purcell, Dido and Aeneas "First Witch", upcoming 2010
  • Weill, Seven Deadly Sins "Anna II" (non-singing), 2009
  • Humperdink, Hansel and Gretel "Sandman", 2008
  • Charpentier, Les Arts Florissants "La Poesie" and "La Paix", 2008
  • Case, The Prioress's Tale "Christian Woman" - PREMIERE January 2008
  • Lully, Psyche "Nymphe de L'Acheron" 2007
    - Cover for "Aglaure" and "Nymphe"
  • Campra, L’Europe Galante "Venus" 2006
  • Handel, Acis and Galatea “Galatea” 2004
  • Verdi, La Traviata “Annina” 2003
  • Bizet, Carmen “Frasquita” 2002
  • G&S, Yeoman of the Guard “Elsie” and “Kate” 1998
  • Floyd, Susannah “Mrs. Gleaton” 1998
  • Mozart, Impresario “ Miss. Silberklang” 1997

Opera Roles - Partial

  • Gay, Beggar's Opera "Polly Peachum" 2006
  • Chabrier, L'etoile "Zinnia/Ensemble" 2006
  • Blow, Venus and Adonis "Venus" 2005
  • Landi, Orfeo "Euretti I" 2005
  • Monteverdi, L'Orfeo "La Musica" 2005
  • Purcell, Fairy Queen "Night" 2005
  • Pergolesi, La Serva Padrona "Serpina" 2005
  • Britten, Turn of the Screw “Flora” 2004
  • Handel, Orlando “Dorinda” 2004
  • Purcell, Fairy Queen “Mystery” & “Spring” 2001
  • Mozart, Magic Flute “Pamina” and “Queen of the Night” 1997
  • Ensemble Roles not listed but available upon request

Oratorio - Soprano Soloist

  • J.S. Bach, Christmas Oratorio
  • J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 4
  • J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 29
  • J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 39
  • J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 70
  • J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 98
  • J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 51
  • J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 61
  • J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 133
  • J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 196
  • J.S. Bach, B Minor Mass
  • J.S. Bach, Magnificat
  • J.S. Bach, St. John Passion
  • B. Britten, Ceremony of Carols
  • Buxtehude, Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr
  • Buxtehude, Jesu Meine Freude
  • Finzi, In Terra Pax
  • Handel, Judas Maccabaeus
  • Handel, Israel in Egypt
  • Handel, Messiah
  • Handel, Laudate Pueri
  • Handel, Solomon
  • Haydn, Harmoniemesse
  • Haydn, Paukenmesse
  • Haydn, Missa Cellensis
  • Haydn, Missa Brevis in F
  • Mattheson, Magnificat ~Premiere~
  • Mozart, Vesperae di Domenica
  • Mozart, Coronation Mass
  • Mozart, Requiem
  • Orff, Carmina Burana
  • Pergolesi, Stabat Mater
  • Rutter, Requiem
  • Schubert, Mass in G
  • Schütz, Christmas Story
  • Schütz, Musikalische Exequien
  • Stravinsky, Cantata
  • Vivaldi , Gloria
  • Zelenka, Magnificat in D

Chamber Music/Concert Work

  • "Crossroads of Virtuosity" - Italian laments by Strozzi and Peri - soloist with Cascata ensemble - 2009
  • "Once, Twice, Thrice a Lady" - Love Songs of the English Restoration - presented by The Sun's Darlings - 2009
  • "Bedlam and Bower " - Songs of Henry Purcell - presented by The Sun's Darlings - 2008
  • "Crossing the Channel" - Purcell, Handel, Poulenc, & Britten - Featured alumni recitalist to benefit
    the Virginia Hunter Scholarship Fund, Western Washington University -
    2007
  • Shakarian, Bone Island Suite (for soprano and orchestra) ~Premiere - 2006
  • Shakarian, A Christmas Carol ~Premiere - 2005
  • Mattheson, "Die Keusche Liebe" Serenata, BEMF Orchestra Concert ~Premiere - 2005
  • Purcell, Arne and Luzzasachi, Vox Consort Chamber Concert - 2005
  • Monteverdi, Purcell, Handel, Poulenc, & Strauss Recital - 2004
  • Poulenc, Various Songs for RCM Chamber Concerts - 2004
  • Faure, La Bonne Chanson with Chagall String Quartet - 2003
  • H. Gilligan, Shakespeare Sonnets (duets) ~Premiere - 2003
  • B. Sheng, Three Chinese Love Songs - 2002,2001
  • H. Gilligan, Deliveries Only & B.J. Mark, The Snowglobe ~Premieres - 2001
  • V. Aghababian, Songs of Self - 2001
  • L. Ku, Like Seeing Fallen Brightly Away ~Premiere - 2001
  • Villa-Lobos, Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 - 2000
  • M. Anthony Turnage, Her Anxiety - 2000
  • J. Fitz Rogers, Last Words - 2000
  • I. Chin, Akrostichon-Wortspiel - 1998
  • S. Bassingthwaite, Somewhere I Have Never Traveled ~Premiere - 1998
    Opening week at Benaroya Hall with Contemp. Composers and Players
  • Stravinsky, Pribaoutki - 1998

Special Programs and Festivals

  • Weill Institute of Music Professional Training Workshops, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
    - Ton Koopman Workshop: Handel Choral Works for Singers, February 2008
  • Handel in Italy, Cambridge, England, August 2007 - Cambridge Early Music Schools
    -
    Soprano soloist and ensemble member, Parley of Instruments, Peter Holman and Philip Thorby, directors
  • Amherst Early Music Festival, Connecticut, July 2006
    -
    "Venus" in Campra's L'Europe Galante, Drew Minter and Andrew Lawrence King, directors
  • Accademia D'Amore Workshop and Performance of Early Opera, Seattle, August 15-20, 2005
    -
    With Stephen Stubbs, Maxine Eilander, Nancy Zylstra, Ingrid Matthews and George Shangrow
  • SONGFEST Professional Singer Program, Malibu , California , June 5-17, 2003
    -
    With Martin Katz, Graham Johnson, John Hall, Craig Smith, John Harbison and D'anna Fortunato
  • Foliage Art Song Festival and Recital , Vermont Opera Theater – October 4, 5&6, 2002
    -
    With Dalton Baldwin and Lorraine Nubar
  • Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies, Aldeburgh , England – Sept. 2001
    - Bach and Purcell Program
    with Michael Chance, Ruth Drucker & Lawrence Cummings
  • Boston University Tanglewood Institute – 1993

Awards, Grants and Scholarships

  • Ensemble Winner of the The Giorgio Cini Foundation scholarship with Boston Cantoris for the
    John Dunstaple Seminar, Egida Sartori and Laura Alvini’ Early Music Seminars in Venice, Italy - May, 2009
  • Winner of the The Giorgio Cini Foundation scholarship(one of two singers chosen) for the
    Johann Rosenmuller Seminar, Egida Sartori and Laura Alvini’ Early Music Seminars in Venice, Italy - May, 2008
  • Recipient of a grant from the Anna Soskenko Assist Trust for performing artists - October, 2007
  • Recipient of the Astral Career Grant, National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts - June, 2005
  • 1st Prize Winner, International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition, Winners Recital -
    Carnegie Hall Debut with Leslie Kwan, Harpsichordist (Duo Bella) -- May, 2005
  • 1st Place Winner of the New England Regional NATSAA Competition &
  • National 2004 Semi-finalist Winner of $1000
  • Mary Levine Grant for Performing ArtistsAwarded $2000 for Britten-Pears School 2001
  • Patricia Sherman Award for Musical Excellence – Awarded by Longy Faculty 2001
  • Winner of the Longy School of Music Honors Competition 2001
  • Longy School of Music Audition Scholarship 2000 – 2001
  • Second Place Prize Winner in Seattle Civic Opera Competition 1997

Recent Church and Choral Work

  • Soprano Soloist and Section Leader, Marsh Chapel Choir, Boston, MA 2001-2003, 2008-2010
  • Soprano Soloist and Section Leader, Old North Church, Marblehead, MA 2004 -2008
  • Soprano Section Leader at various churches in London, England 2003-2004
  • Soprano Secton leader at Trinity Church, Boston, MA, Summer of 2002
  • Chorus roster of Handel and Haydn Society
  • Chorus roster of Boston Baroque
  • Chorus roster of Boston Secession
  • Chorus roster of Schola Cantorum of Boston

Teaching Experience

  • Instructor of Voice, Boston College, Spring Term, 2010
  • Voice teacher, private studio, current