LAURA MCHUGH
Laura McHugh is an award-winning singing actor working in opera (including World Premieres and New Works), musical theatre, oratorio/concert work, and weddings/events.
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Laura McHugh, a "jaw-droppingly talented" (The Boston Globe) soprano "ready for heavenly ascent" (Boston Musical Intelligencer) lauded for her "superb, floating" sound (Melrose Free Press), recently won 1st Place in the Classical Singer National Competition, 1st Place in the Vermont Vocal Competition, and 2nd Place in Classical Idol (VOX New England).
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Known for her penchant for "hilarious interpretation" (Voce di Meche), as well as her stratospheric high notes, she recently created comedic roles in two World Premiere Operas: The Reaper in Reap What You Soul (a '90s pop-diva inspired take on the Angel of Death), and Hannah in Non Motus (who panics when nature inevitably calls during an extended traffic jam). Continuing to make her mark in the realm of contemporary opera, Laura has also appeared in John Corigliano's The Lord of Cries (nominated for the 2024 GRAMMY Award for Best Opera Recording), Tobias Picker's Awakenings (Rose cover/East Coast Premiere/Recording) and Emmeline (Harriet Mosher/cover for Emmeline)- cancelled due to COVID-19), Dominick Argento's The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe (Mrs. Poe cover/recording), and Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Last Savage (Concert Singer/forthcoming recording from BMOP/sound). She regularly collaborates with composers on commissions, World Premieres, and performances of new works.
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"McHugh (is) worth the price of admission alone"
The Boston Globe
Operatic credits include the titular roles in Rusalka, Suor Angelica, and Gräfin Mariza, as well as Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Mimì & Musetta (La bohème), Countess Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Micaëla & Frasquita (Carmen), Giulietta (Les contes d'Hoffmann), and Vitellia (La Clemenza di Tito). She made her European and Wagnerian debuts as the Valkyrie Gerhilde in a touring production of Die Walküre in Sweden. Oratorio credits include the soprano solos in Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Mozart Requiem, Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Fauré Requiem, Vivaldi Gloria, and Handel Messiah.
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As a recording vocalist, she has appeared on a variety of live and studio recordings, including: The Lord of Cries (Pentatone, 2024 GRAMMY Nomination- Best Opera Recording), The Last Savage (BMOP/sound, Concert Singer), Awakenings (BMOP/sound, soloist & Rose cover), The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe (BMOP/sound, Mrs. Poe cover), Henry VIII (Odyssey Opera, Maid of Honor), The Maid of Orleans (Odyssey Opera), La Reine de Saba (Odyssey Opera), and Blind Guardian's Legacy of the Dark Lands (Nuclear Blast Records).
A performer with strong musical theatre chops, she recently flexed her crossover muscles as Florinda in Into the Woods with Tulsa Opera, where she was also a Filstrup Resident Artist. She also appeared as the Beggar Woman in Opera51's Sweeney Todd. Since the production's inception, she has appeared with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in the Boston production of A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Fezziwig. She is a member of Actors' Equity Association.
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"Laura McHugh...
nearly take(s) the roof off"
Joyce Kulhawik
President, Boston Theater Critics Association
