Karina Bray
Mezzo Soprano
"I loved Karina Bray as Flora. Her moves and facial expressions in the party scenes were delightful."
"...the Crown Prince, is a suitably henpecked royal with the pecking done, with Lady Bracknell like charm, by Karina Bray."
- Opera Ramblings, John Gilks- A Waltz Dream- Princess Adelaide
Die kanadische Mezzosopranistin Karina Bray überzeugte mit dunklem Timbre ebenfalls bei „Engel“, „Im Treibhaus“ und „Träume“ aus den fünf Gedichten für Frauenstimme und Klavier von Richard Wagner.
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(The Canadian mezzo-soprano Karina Bray also impressed with her dark timbre in "Engel", "Im Treibhaus" and "Träume" from Richard Wagner's five poems for female voice and piano.)
Karina Bray as Princess Adelaide was often right in the middle as the funniest moments of the comedy unfolded.
- Barczablog, Leslie Barcza- A Waltz Dream- Princess Adelaide
"You possess an exceptionally beautiful, powerful mezzo-soprano voice, and you are a riveting actress. Your timbre and presence are very well-suited to both these arias, and you perform them with nuanced musicianship and poise."
- Joyce diDonato- Carnegie Hall Masterclass- Feedback
About
German-Canadian mezzo-soprano Karina Bray’s previous operatic engagements include Fricka (study cover)/Roβweiβe from Wagner's Die Walküre, Wellgunde/2nd Norn from Wagner's Götterdämmerung, La Ciesca from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, Flora Bervoix from Verdi's La Traviata, Azucena (cover) from Verdi's Il trovatore, Dritte Magd/Erste Magd/die Vertraute in Strauss' Elektra, The Mother from Menotti's The Consul, and Princess Adelaide in Oscar Straus' A Waltz Dream.
Ms. Bray was the recipient of the Richard Wagner Stipendienstiftung, representing Canada in Bayreuth for 2023. In 2022, Ms. Bray was also a participant in the Bayreuther Festspiele Masterclass, chosen along with three other singers internationally to work with Catherine Foster. The Masterclass ended with a concert of Wagner's music in Villa Wahnfried. Ms. Bray has also been awarded many awards in competitions, such as First Place in the Medici International Music Competition in 2024, and Second Place in the BTHVN Wien Competition in 2023.
Before making the transition to mezzo-soprano, Ms. Bray performed as a soprano in leading and supporting roles. Her performances included the titular character of Puccini's Suor Angelica, Anna Maurrant in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, both for Halifax Summer Opera Festival, Canada - and Mimi in Puccini’s La Boheme.
Educated at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Ms. Bray was awarded an Honours Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance. Living between Germany and North America, Ms. Bray studies with Jean MacPhail in Toronto, Canada, Mignon Dunn in New York City, USA, and Gundula Hintz/Ralf Lukas in Berlin, Germany.