Births on January 6

Nikki Einfeld, Canadian soprano and actress

Nikki Einfeld, born on January 6, 1978, is a distinguished Canadian Lyric Coloratura Soprano renowned for her exceptional vocal agility, bright tone, and compelling stage presence. Her voice type, the lyric coloratura, combines the warmth and sustained beauty of a lyric soprano with the remarkable flexibility and precision required for intricate, virtuosic passages. This unique vocal command has allowed her to excel across a diverse range of operatic and concert repertoire, from the Baroque masterpieces to contemporary compositions.

Ms. Einfeld's formative training and early career were significantly shaped by her involvement with the prestigious San Francisco Opera. She is a proud alumnus of both the Adler Fellowship Program and the Merola Opera Program. The Merola Opera Program, established in 1957, is recognized globally as one of the most comprehensive and prestigious summer training programs for aspiring opera professionals, offering intensive coaching, masterclasses, and performance opportunities. Following Merola, the Adler Fellowship is a highly selective residency program providing personalized training, invaluable mainstage experience, and significant performance opportunities with the San Francisco Opera, positioning its participants for major careers in opera.

A testament to her burgeoning talent, Ms. Einfeld was a Grand Finalist in the highly competitive 2006 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. This annual competition is a crucial stepping stone for many aspiring opera singers in North America, with winners frequently advancing to perform on the world's most prominent stages.

Notable Operatic Engagements and Diverse Repertoire

During her tenure as an Adler Fellow with the San Francisco Opera, Nikki Einfeld showcased her versatility in a variety of roles, demonstrating her comfort across different eras and styles of opera. Her performances included:

• Mascha in Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's brooding psychological drama, The Queen of Spades.
• Papagena in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's beloved Singspiel, The Magic Flute, a charming and light-hearted role contrasting with the opera's grand themes.
• Serpina in Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's influential comic intermezzo, La Serva Padrona, where she portrayed the clever maid who outmaneuvers her master.
• The title role in Gaetano Donizetti's comedic opera, Rita, ou Le mari battu, a work requiring strong dramatic and vocal characterization.
• Pauline in The Seagull, an opera based on Anton Chekhov's classic play.

Beyond San Francisco, Ms. Einfeld has graced the stages of several other prominent opera companies, delivering memorable performances in iconic roles:

• Susanna in Mozart's masterwork, The Marriage of Figaro, with New Orleans Opera. Susanna is widely regarded as one of opera's most intelligent, resourceful, and vocally demanding soprano roles.
• The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute with the Canadian Opera Company. This role is a signature for coloratura sopranos, celebrated for its two notoriously difficult arias featuring stratospheric high Fs and requiring unparalleled vocal precision and dramatic fire.
• Adina in Manitoba Opera's production of Donizetti's delightful bel canto comedy, L'elisir d'amore, portraying the initially aloof but ultimately loving wealthy landowner.

Her participation in the Merola Opera Program further broadened her artistic scope, leading to acclaimed performances in Gian-Carlo Menotti's twentieth-century psychological drama, The Medium, and Jacques Ibert's whimsical and surreal comedic opera, Angélique.

Additional operatic appearances highlight her extensive repertoire:

• Rosina in Gioachino Rossini's effervescent opera buffa, The Barber of Seville, with Saskatoon Opera. While often performed by mezzos, Ms. Einfeld's coloratura agility allowed her to bring a spirited interpretation to the resourceful heroine.
• Zerlina in Mozart's dramatic comedy, Don Giovanni, performed with Manitoba Opera, where she portrayed the innocent peasant girl who falls prey to the Don's charms.
• Gretel in Engelbert Humperdinck's enchanting fairy-tale opera, Hansel and Gretel, during a tour with NUOVA (now known as the NUOVA Opera & Music Festival).

A Champion of Recital, Concert, and Contemporary Music

Nikki Einfeld's artistic interests extend beyond the operatic stage to a profound affinity for recital and concert repertoire. She is particularly noted for her commitment to new music, having premiered many 20th and 21st-century works. This dedication underscores her versatility and her desire to contribute to the evolving landscape of classical music, showcasing her ability to navigate complex modern scores with precision and artistry.

Distinguished Competition Success

Ms. Einfeld's talent has been consistently recognized through numerous prestigious competitions:

• First Prize in the 2002 Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition: This internationally recognized Canadian competition uniquely focuses on the performance of contemporary music. Her victory led to a significant national tour, presenting recitals in Canada's major music communities alongside her frequent collaborating pianist, Shannon Hiebert. This tour provided invaluable exposure and further cemented her reputation as a leading interpreter of modern repertoire.
• Multiple Prize-Winner in the 32nd CBC Radio-Canada National Competition for Young Performers (2003): This competition, a cornerstone of Canadian classical music, has historically been instrumental in identifying and promoting young Canadian talent across various disciplines.
• First Place Winner of the Metropolitan Opera Pacific Regional Auditions (2005): This significant win qualified her to compete in the aforementioned Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in New York, a pivotal step in her national and international recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nikki Einfeld

What is Nikki Einfeld's vocal type?

Nikki Einfeld is a Lyric Coloratura Soprano, a voice type characterized by its warm, lyrical quality combined with exceptional agility and the ability to perform intricate, florid vocal passages.

Which major opera programs has Nikki Einfeld participated in?

She is an alumna of both the Merola Opera Program and the Adler Fellowship Program, both highly esteemed young artist programs associated with the San Francisco Opera.

What are some of Nikki Einfeld's most famous opera roles?

Some of her notable roles include Papagena and the Queen of the Night in Mozart's The Magic Flute, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Adina in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, and Serpina in Pergolesi's La Serva Padrona.

Has Nikki Einfeld performed contemporary music?

Yes, she has a strong affinity for 20th and 21st-century repertoire and has premiered many new works, notably winning the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, which focuses on contemporary music.