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	layla-claire-soprano-headshot.jpg

Soprano Layla Claire has captivated audiences across the world’s most prestigious opera houses with her radiant tone, dynamic range, and vivid stage presence. Renowned for her Mozart and Handel interpretations, her repertoire spans signature roles such as Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni at the Bayerische Staatsoper, Salzburg Festival, Zurich Opera), Countess (Le nozze di Figaro at Opera Philadelphia and Glyndebourne), and Pamina (Die Zauberflöte at Minnesota Opera and Pittsburgh Opera).

A passionate advocate of contemporary opera, she created the title role in the world premiere of Venere e Adone at the Hamburg Staatsoper to critical acclaim from The New Yorker and continues to expand into the young dramatic repertoire. Notable performances include Blanche (Dialogues des Carmélites), Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and the Governess (The Turn of the Screw), with lauded appearances at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Washington National Opera, and Zurich Opera.

Layla Claire made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Anne Trulove in The Rake’s Progress, returning in Don Carlos, The Enchanted Island, and L’elisir d’amore (Live in HD). Equally at home on the concert stage, she has sung Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Boston Symphony and Dvořák’s Requiem at the Grant Park Music Festival, and appeared with orchestras including the Toronto Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, and San Francisco Symphony.

A graduate of the Curtis Institute and the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Program, Ms. Claire is a recipient of the Virginia Parker Prize and laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. She is celebrated for a voice that combines “sweet-toned” lyricism (The New York Times) with “supremely affecting vocalism” (Chicago Classical Review), making her one of Canada’s most distinguished operatic artists today.

About

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Layla Claire close-up portrait in golden sun light, artist branding shoot
Layla Claire close-up portrait in golden sun light, artist branding shoot

"She possesses a rich, luminous instrument and her sensitive, expressive singing consistently illuminated the text, with supremely affecting vocalism."


- Chicago Classical Review

La Beauté du Monde, L’Opera de Montreal

“and the soprano Layla Claire as the cabaret songstress, Jeanne Boitel, carried off her role with aplomb.”

Opera News, 02/2023

Venere e Adone, Hamburg Staatsoper

“Layla Claire was a pure-voice, resonant Venus.”

Alex Ross, The New Yorker 06/12/2023

Le nozze di Figaro, Opera Philadelphia

“Countess Layla Claire combined dignity and grace with some lovely singing, especially in a sympathetic and richtoned rendering of “Dove sono.”

Bernard Jacobson, Seen and Heard International 05/11/2017

Don Giovanni, Salzburg Festspiel

“Canadian soprano Layla Claire as Donna Elvira displayed an arresting stage presence coupled with a solid vocal technique. There was real fury in the B flats in “Ah, chi mi dice mai” and smoothly executed roulades in “Mi tradì.” The proceeding accompanied recitative was particularly moving.”

Jonathan Sutherland, Bachtrack 08/09/2016

The Rake’s Progress, Metropolitan Opera

The soprano Layla Claire was sweet-toned and nimble as Anne Trulove…Her aria “No Word From Tom” showcased the kaleidoscopic colors of her top notes.

Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, The New York Times 05/04/2015