WWU Voice Presents: Brandie Sutton, Soprano

Hailed by Opera News for her “sumptuous, mid-weight soprano,” and The New York Times for her “warm, ample voice,” “ravishing performance” and “distinctive earthy coloring,” Brandie Inez Sutton, born with her unique sound, and being raised around Oakwood University infamous for its musicianship, was destined for a musical career. She has appeared in concert halls and on opera stages around the world. Her love for the art of performing, together with her persistence and tenacity, have afforded her many opportunities to portray some of the most endearing soprano roles. Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata with Virginia Opera, Zerbinetta in Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos with Lakes Area Music Festival, the Fairy Godmother in Massenet’s Cinderella at The Metropolitan Opera, and Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto with New York City Opera. Some notable house debuts for Ms. Sutton also include Seattle Opera, Spoleto Music Festival, Detroit Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Semperoper Dresden, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Opera Maine, Teatro Petruzzelli, and many more. Concert hall appearances include Richmond Symphony Orchestra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Royal Danish Symphony Orchestra, Amarillo Symphony, Radio Orpheus Symphony Orchestra in Moscow, and the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. As a versatile vocalist, Ms. Sutton has appeared many times as a guest soloist with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. She has appeared several times at Carnegie Hall with artists from Cyrus Chestnut to the Cecilia Chorus of New York. In the summer 2023 she took part in a historical journey as she premiered the title role in Damien Sneed and Karen Chilton’s reimagining of Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha commissioned by Opera Theatre of St. Louis. She returns to Opera Theatre St. Louis summer 2025 as Young Ida in the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s new opera This House. Also this year she will return to Seattle Opera to perform Pamina in Barrie Kosky’s The Magic Flute, as well as a role (Julie Jordan) and house debut with Boston Lyric Opera’s 80th anniversary presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, to be performed in the very theater it once premiered in 80 years ago.

Ms. Sutton’s fervent interest in social justice has also engaged her outside of the opera house. More than once has she participated in events for EJI (Equal Justice Initiative), chosen personally by its founder Bryan Stevenson to share her gift. She has also been immortalized as a hologram in the organization’s Legacy Museum: From Slavery to Mass Incarceration located in Montgomery, AL; appearing in concert with Andra Day, Bebe Winans and John Legend for the museum’s opening ceremonies.