Riki Turofsky Master Class in Voice: Ambur Braid, soprano

University of Toronto Faculty of Music presents:

2025 Riki Turofsky Master Class in Voice: Ambur Braid, soprano

Featuring singers from the Faculty of Music with pianist Helen Becqué.

Livestream available on our YouTube Channel.

PROGRAM 

Welcome: Sandra Horst, Head of Opera 

Salut! demeure chaste et pure (Faust)

Charles Gounod (1818-1893)

Christian Matta, tenor

Emily’s Aria (Our Town)

Ned Rorem (1923-2022)

Camille Labonté, soprano

Una furtiva lagrima (L'elisir d'amore)

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

Frank Yu, tenor

~ Short Break ~

Pâle et blonde (Hamlet)

Ambroise Thomas (1811-1896)

Teresa Tucci, soprano

Parigi! È la citta dei desideri (La Rondine)

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)

Cameron Mazzei, tenor

Quando m’en vo (La Bohème)

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)

Katherine Kirkpatrick, soprano

BIOGRAPHY

Renowned for her dramatically nuanced and psychologically complex interpretations, Canadian soprano Ambur Braid also brings to the stage an unmatchable authenticity and incandescent vocal power. Her Salome, Senta (Der fliegende Holländer), Die Färberin (Die Frau ohne Schatten), Eva (Schreker’s Irrelohe) and Rachel (Halévy’s La Juive) have left an unforgettable impression, and this season Braid makes her anticipated role debut as Marie (Wozzeck) in two new productions. Firstly for Opéra de Lyon in Richard Brunel’s new production under Daniele Rustioni, and thereafter for Canadian Opera Company in William Kentridge’s new production under Johannes Debus. Elsewhere Ambur makes her company debut at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía as Madame Lidoine in Robert Carsen’s production of Dialogues des Carmélites under Riccardo Minasi.

Praised as being “born to play Salome” (Bachtrack, 2023), it has since become a signature role for Braid, with huge critical acclaim in both Barrie Kosky’s production for Oper Frankfurt and Atom Egoyan’s production for Canadian Opera Company, the latter of which brought Ambur’s appearance in the film ‘Seven Veils’. Other notable role and company debuts include both Eva (Irrelohe) and Die Färberin (Die Frau ohne Schatten) under Daniele Rustioni for Opéra de Lyon, Senta (Der fliegende Holländer) in Herbert Fritsch’s production for Komische Oper, and Stephana in Umberto Giordano’s rarely performed Siberia for Bregenz Festival. A former ensemble member of Oper Frankfurt, selected recent highlights include Rachel in Tatjana Gürbaca’s new production of La Juive under Henrik Nanasi, Ariadne (Ariadne auf Naxos) under Thomas Guggeis, Chawa in Rudi Stephan’s Die Ersten Menschen – a new production by Tobias Kratzer – conducted by Sebastian Weigle and recorded for CD release, as well as the eponymous roles of Norma under Erik Nielsen and Tosca conducted by Carlo Montanaro.

Recent concert highlights include Schmitt’s La Tragédie de Salomé with Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra under Alain Altinoglu and Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 with National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa. This season Braid returns to Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 at the Tanglewood Festival in Boston and with Gulbenkian Orchestra, both under Hannu Lintu.

Ambur Braid has received degrees from the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and San Francisco Conservatory and is a studio alumna and former ensemble member of the Canadian Opera Company.

A Message from Riki Turofsky

I'm very proud to sponsor this Master Class series in Voice in my name and I've been doing so for over 20 years because I believe that young artists should have an opportunity to work with a master in their art. Today’s guest artist is Ambur Braid, a thrilling Canadian soprano who has been making a huge name for herself all over the world. Her interpretation of Salome has been hailed, and we will soon see her at the Canadian Opera Company as Marie in Wozzeck. I hope you will listen to what she has to say and heed her advice. Thank you.

Sincerely, Riki Turofsky