Lisa Saffer

Saffer originates from Madison, Wisconsin, USA.[1] She was awarded a bachelor's degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music, with Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory.[2]

Saffer is a soprano. Her voice has been described as "Her silvery, brainy vocalism was world-class throughout and in the last celebratory aria, she brought the house down, rocketing off coloratura with flourish and showing off a splendid high C." (The Boston Globe, when she performed Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare).[2]

Her career has led to acclaim for her interpretation of contemporary scores and as well as Bach, Handel and other baroque music.[1] She has performed in the US and worldwide. Notable performances of modern works have been with the Royal Philharmonic (2002)[3] and English National Opera (2005) as Lulu in Berg's eponymous opera,[4][5][2] recorded in 2005[6] and the role of Marie in Zimmermann's Die Soldaten with the English National Opera, Opéra Bastille and New York City Opera.[7] Her performances of classical works have included Handel's Messiah with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream with the New York Philharmonic.[1]

Her performances have been recorded by several organisations including Harmonia Mundi, Warner Classics, New World Records and Chandos Records.[2]

In 2010 she joined the New England Conservatory and teaches voice.[2]

In May 2003 she received the Singer Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society in recognition of her performance in live classical music in the UK.[8] She has been awarded the Anna Case Mackay Memorial Award, one of the annual Outstanding Apprentice Awards from the Santa Fe Opera, U.S.A and has been nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in Opera for her performance with the English National Opera as Lulu in Berg's eponymous opera.[1] She is a recipient of a National Music Theater Institute grant.[2]