Biography

Soprano Melissa Solomon, praised by Opera Canada as “delightful” and “vivacious,” is exciting audiences as a rare and diverse performing actress. She appears regularly with the Scottsdale Philharmonic as their soprano Artist in Residence. She has been singing with Arizona Opera since 2010, both as a member of the chorus, and in more recent years, in roles and cover roles. She also sings with the non-profit Songs by Heart, where she connects with memory care patients in meaningful ways through the power of song.

Last year, Ms. Solomon originated the role of Agatha in the world premiere of Frankenstein with Arizona Opera. She recently covered the role of Maria (The Sound of Music, Arizona Opera), and performed as Echo (Ariadne auf Naxos, Arizona Opera). Additional roles include: Johanna (Sweeney Todd, Arizona Musical Theatre Orchestra), Despina cover (Così fan tutte, Arizona Opera), Maria (The Sound of Music, Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre), Cleopatra (Giulio Cesare, Halifax Summer Opera, Nova Scotia, Canada, and Lyric Opera Theatre, Tempe, AZ). Equally experienced in oratorio, she has performed as soloist for the Mozart Requiem and Haydn’s Creation with the Mt. Desert Summer Chorale in Bar Harbor, Maine, Bach’s St. John Passion and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with MusicaNova Orchestra in Scottsdale, AZ, as well as as Handel’s Messiah, Mozart C minor mass, and Fauré’s Requiem with various organizations in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Ms. Solomon’s other musical theatre roles include Marian Paroo in The Music Man and Lily in The Secret Garden. She is well versed in many different styles of singing, and has been a lead vocalist with a jazz band. She has performed numerous solo concerts in performing centers, churches, and homes throughout Arizona. She is a graduate of Arizona State University, and lives with her husband and two sons in Gilbert, Arizona.