Opera Memphis offers a two-year Artists-in-Residence program in partnership with the University of Memphis Artist Diploma in Voice program.  Performance opportunities for Artists-in-Residence include at least one mainstage role in an Opera Memphis production and roles in education and outreach concerts and touring programs.


2012-2013 Artists-in-Residence

Malcolm Cooper (tenor) made his Opera Memphis debut as Spoletta in TOSCA in the fall of 2011.  In the 2012-2013 Opera Memphis season, Mr. Cooper will sing the roles of Parpignol in LA BOHÈME and Tommy and Manny in Lee Hoiby’s THIS IS THE RILL SPEAKING.  Previous roles include the title role of IDOMENEO with the University of Memphis and Giovanni in Daniel Catan’s LA HIJA DE RAPPACCINI with the Butler Opera Center.  Currently, Mr. Cooper is an Opera Memphis Artist-in-Residence, and he studies with Dr. Randal Rushing at the University of Memphis where he is an Artist Diploma Candidate for 2013.  He received a Bachelor of Music in voice performances from Ohio State University and a Master of Music in opera performance from University of Texas at Austin.

Christine Amon (mezzo soprano) will make her Opera Memphis mainstage debut as Giannetta in ELIXIR OF LOVE in February 2013.  She recently appeared as a finalist in the Lotte Lenya Competition hosted by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music.  She has been awarded first place in the Opera Grand Rapids Collegiate Vocal Competition, the NATS Regional Auditions, and the Dr. Marjoree Conrad Art Song Competition.  She studied at the renowned Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires thanks to the sponsorship of Opera Grand Rapids.  Ms. Amon received a Master of Music from Bowling Green State University, performing the roles of Cherubino in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and Desiree in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.  She received a Bachelor of Music from Grand Valley State University, where she appeared as Paquette in CANDIDE, Mother in RAGTIME, and Lily in THE SECRET GARDEN.  Ms. Amon is an Opera Memphis Artist-in-Residence, and she is pursuing an Artist Diploma at the University of Memphis.

Lesley Anne Friend (soprano) was most recently seen as an Apprentice Artist with Sarasota Opera.  Her roles include: Donna Anna in DON GIOVANNI; Alma in SUMMER AND SMOKE; Desdemona in OTELLO; Miss Jessel in THE TURN OF THE SCREW; the Female Chorus in THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA; Elisabetta in  MARIA STUARDA; Alice Ford in FALSTAFF; Ariadne in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS; Myra Foster in SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON; Marguerite in FAUST; Leonora in FIDELIO; the Countess in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO; Norma in NORMA; the title role in  SUOR ANGELICA; and Magda Sorel in THE CONSUL.  Ms. Friend can be heard on Albany Records premiere recording of Pasatieri's SIGNOR DELUSO as Clara with the Opera Company of Brooklyn. She recently sang her first Verdi REQUIEM with Boston’s Chorus Pro Musica, and Mahler’s SYMPHONY NO. 2 with the Hartt School of Music and the New Haven Chorale. Ms. Friend received her B.M. cum laude in Performance from Montclair State University, and her M.M. in Opera from The Boston Conservatory.  She is a Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards Semi-Finalist and winner of awards from Marguerite McCammon Vocal Competition, New Hampshire Opera Idol, Saritelli-DiPanni Bel Canto Fund, Connecticut Concert Opera, Lois Alba Aria Competition, International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, and Orpheus Competition.

Wayne Hu (baritone) made his Opera Memphis mainstage debut as Schaunard in the November 2012 production of LA BOHEME.  Most recently, Mr. Hu made his principal debut with Opera North as the title role in THE KING & I, where he was first seen as Starveling in Britten’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM as a Young Artist in 2004. Other operatic engagements include Yamadori in MADAMA BUTTERFLY, Motorcycle Cop in DEAD MAN WALKING, and Fiorello in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA with Tulsa Opera, the Speaker in THE MAGIC FLUTE with Pine Mountain Music Festival, and Moralès in CARMEN with The Princeton Festival. Mr. Hu also has numerous credits on the Equity stage including Demetrius in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM with Tri-State Actors Theatre, Brujon in LAPHIL's LES MISÉRABLES IN CONCERT at the Hollywood Bowl starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Lea Michele, and Moonshine Porter in Ravinia's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN with Chicago Symphony Orchestra starring Patti Lupone and George Hearn. He has appeared in over a hundred performances of THE KING & I in the title role or Lun Tha, with companies such as Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Gretna Theatre, Allenberry Playhouse, and Porchlight Music Theatre. Mr. Hu graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from The College of New Jersey in 2005 and is a member of Actors Equity Association and American Guild of Musical Artists.