Canadian soprano Vanessa Croome’s curiosity for repertoire both new and old paired with a dynamic stage-presence has launched her into the world of opera. Described as “an incredible vocal talent...moved us to tears” (Ludwig Van Montreal), Vanessa is quickly building a name for herself in the world of classical music. 

Highlights of the 2022-2023 season include a role and house debut with the Jacksonville Symphony singing Queen of the Night in their symphonic staged production of Mozart's The Magic Flute and a recital debut at Montréal's acclaimed Chapelle Historique du Bon Pasteur performing songs of Tavener, Previn, and Poulenc with cellist Sahara von Hattenberger and pianist Kyoko Hashimoto. In April 2023, Vanessa will be on tour as the soprano soloist for Le Messie en 60 minutes with the Orchestre Symphonique de Drummondville. Other upcoming engagements include recital debuts with Salle Bourgie and L’Association Musique et Culture en Hautes Vosges. In April 2023 Vanessa was announced as a winning member of the 2023-2024 Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyrique cohort with Théâtre Lychorégra. 

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Winner of the Opéra de Montréal Prix Étoile Stingray, Vanessa was an artist in residence with the house for the 2021-2022 season. Season highlights include Königin der Nacht (cover) in Barrie Kosky's production of Die Zauberflöte and concert debuts with Orchestre Métropolitain (Donizetti, La fille du régiment), Orchestre de L'Agora (Rameau, Platée) and Orchestre symphonique de Drummondville (songs of Mahler and Strauss). During the 2022 festival season, Vanessa was an apprentice artist with The Santa Fe Opera performing as a soloist in the world premiere of Huang Ruo's opera M.Butterfly and covering Frasquita in Carmen. Other recent performance highlights include Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro), Morgana (Alcina), Cunégonde (Candide), and Miles (The Turn of the Screw).

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In 2020, Vanessa debuted the role of Léa for the world premiere of Laurence Jobidon's L’hiver attend beaucoup de moi to critical acclaim on a performance broadcast across Canada with Opéra de Montréal. During the 2020-2021 season, Vanessa had the chance to appear both virtually and in concert with Orchestra de L’Agora performing the soprano solo in Mahler’s 4th Symphony as well record arias by Mozart with musicians from Orchestre Métropolitain under the baton of Nicolas Ellis. 

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Vanessa received early training at the Opera Theater of Saint Louis as a Gerdine Young Artist as a cover on the world premiere of Huang Ruo's An American Soldier. She holds a Masters degree in Voice & Opera from McGill University and a Bachelor’s of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. She has appeared in Masterclass with Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Marilyn Horne, Christopher Allen, Michael McMahon, and Wolfgang Holzmair. Vanessa was a finalist for the Canadian Opera Company Centre Stage Competition and the Elizabeth Wirth Vocal Prize, as well as a semi-finalist for the 2021 Montreal Symphony Orchestra Competition. 

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A proud collaborator with community-based teams, Vanessa works often with organizations performing outreach and educational concerts. Her happy place is on a stage using opera and song as a storytelling medium for today's complex world. Vanessa is currently the Artistic Director of Kin Musique, a non-profit organization dedicated to the democratization of performance arts in downtown Montréal. 

Vanessa’s education in the United States and Canada was generously supported by the British Columbia Arts Council.