Deepa Johnny
Shirley Thomson
Zoe Band
Peppie Johnson
Omani-born Canadian mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny gained recognition in major competitions whilst still studying at Indiana University; she was awarded the Andre Bourbeau Best Canadian Artist award and the ICI Musique People’s Choice award at the 2022 Concours Musical International de Montreal competition and was the winner of the Western Canada District of the 2020 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She joined LA Opera’s prestigious Domingo-Colburn Stein’s Young Artist Program in the 2022/23 season, making her debut there to considerable acclaim in the role of Owen’s daughter in Omar, a world-premiere by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels.
Johnny has already made several notable debuts in North America, including as Meg Page in Falstaff at the Aspen Music Festival alongside Bryn Terfel in the title role and conducted by Patrick Summers, as Cherubino in a new staging of Le Nozze di Figaro at Opera San Jose and, at Los Angeles Opera, Mélisande in Impressions de Pelléas at The Ebell of Los Angeles, under James Conlon. She has appeared as Carmen in Arden Opera’s production of The Tragedy of Carmen, as Suzuki in concert performances of Madama Butterflywith Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra under conductor Jun Märkl and, with IU Opera Theatre during her studies there, as Rosina in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Sivilgia and as the title role of both Handel’s Xerxes and Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea.
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As part of the inaugural cast of The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions, an inspirational ensemble piece created by Ted Huffman and Philip Venables from the seminal LGBTQ+ rights text by Larry Mitchell, Johnny performed at the 2023 editions of the Manchester International Festival, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Bregenzer Festspiele and will be seen in the London premiere at the Southbank Centre in the 2023/24 season. The current season’s commitments open with Deepa Johnny joining Opéra de Rouen Normandie in the title role of Bizet’s Carmen, presented in a staging by Romain Gilbert and conducted by Music Director Ben Glassberg, alongside roles in Der Zwerg and La traviata under James Conlon at LA Opera, and a debut with Portland Opera as Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro. Concert appearances include Mozart’s Mass in C minor with l’Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, conducted by Alarcón and Handel’s Messiah with Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Mathieu Lussier.
Johnny made her Carnegie Hall debut last season at Renée Fleming’s SongStudio Masterclass, was a fellow of the renowned Ravinia Steans Vocal Institute presenting art song repertoire and recently performed with West Virginia Symphony Orchestra as part of their Sounds of the Seasons concerts, guest conducted by Luke Frazier from American Pops Orchestra.
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“The formidable and sensual Carmen by Deepa Johnny, a young Canadian mezzo-soprano of Omani origin, caused a sensation on Friday at the premiere”
“Deepa Johnny’s stage presence is admirable; the overflowing sensuality, the wide vocal range with an easy top and well-rounded bottom, as well as her rich timbre”
“Deepa Johnny is a revelation. It’s hard to believe she is not French-speaking as the French is crystal clear. The colour of the voice is superb, with a powerful low register and controlled top notes. She takes to the stage with fervour and confidence.”
“Deepa Johnny is Carmen. The Canadian artist has an ease on stage … the warm colour of her voice is ideally suited to the role and her French diction is worthy of any native-French Carmen …. in the séguedille, Deepa Johnny reveals a meticulous line, perfectly held high notes and scrupulously controlled breath”
“The young Omani-born Canadian offers an undeniable stage presence. Demonstrating virtuosity, a wide dynamic range and an expressive timbre, her voice can be sinuous, seductive and scathing like a slap. The audience gives her Carmen a standing ovation.”
“Deepa Johnny’s tone is velvet when she’s singing [..]. The vocal line is generous and dense, soft with a small natural vibrato, […] while the breath flows from the bottom of the lungs to the top of the larynx, legato and supported.”
“ ‘Venables’ score is at its most patient showcasing the vocal beauty of Deepa Johnny”
“Mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny was a mesmerizing figure as the sex-addled teenager Cherubino, matching her buoyant singing with a stage demeanor that spoke eloquently of hormonal confusion.”
“The alluring, rich-voiced mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny introduced me and I suspect others, to the songs of Alberto Hemsi…Her performance of three of his songs revealed a deep connection to this colourful, exotic music which she performed with such flare.”
“Mezzo Deepa Johnny makes the arc of Carmen’s story her energy, her lovers and her final death at the hands of Don Jose a compelling tale.”