--Rosalind Plowright in master classes
Called a "finest singer" (Bachtrack) for her interpretation of Anna Bolena, soprano Rochelle Hart's bright, powerful voice has also received praise in master classes with Montserrat Caballè as being perfect for bel canto.
Rochelle started a busy 2013 season performing Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana with Bolton Opera74, as well as singing in a recital at St Gabriel's Pimlico and in Opera Seria's Verdi gala. For the remainder of 2013 she looks foward to singing Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) in a concert performance of Don Giovanni with #OperaCo, and the roles of Elisabetta (Roberto Devereux) and Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor) with Opera Seria. She is also delighted to make her Italian debut as the soprano soloist in a concert of Donizetti Queens, singing excerpts from the roles of Anna Bolena, Maria Stuarda and Elisabetta.
For the 2011/12 season, Rochelle made her full role debut in the title role of Anna Bolena, with Opera Seria, to rave reviews. She also sang the role of Giannetta in Bolton Opera74's production of L'Elisir d'Amore, excerpts from Wally (La Wally) for Preston Opera, as Fiordiligi in scenes from Cosi fan tutte at Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre, and soprano solos in Handel's Messiah, Rossini's Petite messe solennelle and Mozart's Requiem with chamber choirs across the North West.
In 2009 and 2010 Rochelle sang chorus with Chelsea Opera Group in La Traviata, Alceste and Belisario. She also began re-training privately in London with Sean Jeffrey (GSMD), following a five-year absence from singing to pursue other academic interests. She also participated in coachings and master classes with Jeremy Silver, Christopher Cowell, Robin Bowman and William Relton through Floral Opera and gave solo recitals at St Olave's Church and Caffee Concerto in London, Community Music Centre in Portland Oregon, and at a number of private events across the UK.
Rochelle was born in Portland, Oregon USA and studied at University of Oregon and Portland State University before moving to the UK. Since settling in the UK she has done further study at the Wales International Academy of Voice (WIAV), as well as on Concurso Internacional de Canto with soprano Montserrat Caballè at Auditorio de Zaragoza in Spain. She has participated in master classes with Rosalind Plowright at Co-Opera Co and recently completed the London Master Classes vocal course at RNCM. She recieves periodic coaching from tenor Sergio Bertocchi in Bologna, Italy, and currently studies privately with soprano Nelly Miricioiu in London.
A keen interest in history, she also holds a BA in Anthropology from Portland State University, a MA in Archaeology from University of Liverpool and studied Roman Archaeology at PhD level at University of Reading.
Rochelle would like to thank Jane Kirby and Mary Richardson for their financial support in helping her further her career.
"[Anna Bolena is] a substantial work with three-dimensional principals which must have the finest singers. Rochelle Hart is such a singer." (Richard Wilcocks, Bachtrack, Anna Bolena).
"Rochelle has a silvery tone that was, when called for, reduced to a gleaming thread, and when needed, full of rage, angst, hope." (Minjas Zugik, Curtain Calls, Anna Bolena)
"Rochelle Hart's voice soars and depreciates delicately but powerfully, making the most of the high ceilinged acoustics in St. John's Minster. It's a mesmerising performance that will leave opera fans and sceptics alike spellbound." (Katie Siobhán Mercer for The Two Hats, La Wally)