Bree Nichols is a young American soprano praised for her “rich vocal disposition” (KlasikaPlus) and compelling stage presence. A Fulbright grantee to the Czech Republic in 2021–22, Bree is known for her sensitive interpretations of Czech vocal music as well as over a dozen operatic roles spanning a diverse repertoire. Her career has taken her to the stages of the North Czech Philharmonic, Opera Pilsen, Symphony of the Mountains, Capitol City Opera, Opera Roanoke, Lewisville Lake Symphony, the Olomouc Baroque Festival, and more. In 2023, she won 1st place in the Artist Division of the National Opera Association’s Carolyn Bailey Argento Vocal Competition. She was also the winner of the 2020 Presser Award in support of her performance and study of Czech opera. Her recent roles include the title roles of Lucia di Lammermoor and The Bartered Bride as well as Gilda in Rigoletto and Nedda in Pagliacci.
BREE NICHOLS
Off the stage, Bree Nichols is a scholar and innovator in community opera advocacy, where her performance expertise informs her leadership in shaping the next generation of musicians. She is founder and former general director of Stafford Opera Troupe in her hometown of Stafford, Virginia; there she created the Summer Opera Program offering free training and performance opportunities to young singers. Bree holds a Master of Music degree from University of Georgia and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of North Texas. Her dissertation, culminating in the creation of an anthology of Czech opera arias with corresponding research, translations, and phonetic transcriptions, has galvanized her continuing performance and study of Czech opera and art song in the U.S. and abroad.
“Bree sang a professional level all-Czech recital with conviction, extraordinary beauty of tone and a solid technique that allowed her to sing through all registers of her voice with ease. The warmth in the lower and middle ranges balanced the powerful and brilliant upper register with unfaltering ease of production. Equally impressive was her expertise and command of a difficult language and convincing interpretations of each song and aria. By the end of an evening I had the impression she was just warming up.”
– STEPHEN MORSCHECK
REPERTOIRE
OPERA ROLES
BLITZSTEIN
Alexandra, Regina
DONIZETTI
Lucia, Lucia di Lammermoor
DVOŘÁK
Rusalka, Rusalka*
FOERSTER
Eva, Eva*
GLUCK
Ismene, Alceste
JANÁČEK
Jenůfa, Jenůfa*
Fox, Příhody lišky Bystroušky (The Cunning Little Vixen)
LÉHAR
Valencienne, The Merry Widow
LEONCAVALLO
Nedda, Pagliacci
MOZART
Despina, Così fan tutte
Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni*
Madame Silberklang, Der Schauspieldirektor †
First Lady, The Magic Flute*
Susanna, Le nozze di Figaro †
Zerlina, Don Giovanni †
MONTEVERDI / HANZLÍK
Arianna, L'Arianna
PASATIERI
The Diva, La Divina*
PUCCINI
Nella, Gianni Schicchi
Mimì, La Bohème*
Musetta, La Bohème*
Lauretta, Gianni Schicchi †
ROUSSEL
Béatrice, Le testament de la tante Caroline
SMETANA
Mařenka, The Bartered Bride
STRAUSS, J.
Adele, Die Fledermaus
VERDI
Gilda, Rigoletto
WEILL
Jennie, Down in the Valley
Rose Maurrant, Street Scene*
ORATORIO & CONCERT
FAURÉ
Requiem
FOERSTER
Čisté jitro (Pure Morning)
MELANI
Quai bellici accenti
MOZART
Requiem*
ORFF
Carmina Burana
PERGOLESI
Stabat Mater
RUTTER
Requiem
RYBA
Česká mše vánoční (Czech Christmas Mass)
WALTON
Façade
ART SONG
AXMAN
Duha (Rainbow)
DVOŘÁK
Cigánské melodie (Gypsy Songs)
Písně milostné (Love Songs)*
FOERSTER
3 Nocturnes, Op. 163
Písně soumraku (Twilight Songs)
Praze (To Prague)
GRANADOS
La maja dolorosa
KAPRÁLOVÁ
Jablko s klína “Ukolébavka”
Smutný večer
MILHAUD
Quatre Chansons de Ronsard
NOVÁK
Melancholické písně o lásce (Melancholy Songs About Love)
REISSEROVÁ
Březen (March)
STRAUSS
Brentano Lieder
* indicates partial role/work performed
† indicates role covered