The Artist of the Week is Canadian Indigeous mezzo-soprano Michelle Lafferty. She will be singing the roles of The Abbess and Mistress of the Novices in Calgary Concert Opera‘s double-bill of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Puccini’s Suor Angelica on September 12th and 14th (tickets and info here).
Michelle is a Dora Award winning artist who has worked with the Banff Centre, Calgary Opera, Soundstreams, the National Arts Centre and Manitoba Opera. Most recently she performed the role of Native Mother for the recording and in a concert cast of Missing, composed by Brian Current with libretto by Marie Clements. She is also a member of The Indigidivas alongside soprano Melody Courage and mezzo-soprano Rebecca Cuddy.
This week, Michelle shares her favourite composers, best advice and favourite backstage snack. Read on to find out more.
Who/what inspired you to sing?
Susan Aglukark.
Top 3 composers
Ian Cusson, Beverley McKiver and Jeremy Dutcher.
What opera role would you like to sing in 10 years?
Azucena in Il trovatore.
What’s your favourite thing about singing with an orchestra?
The life it brings to the narrative and intricacies of emotion for the characters. I also love orchestral music as a violinist myself.
What are you afraid of?
The dark. I’m blind as a bat. The amount of times I’ve ate it is on an Olympic level.
Who is a singer you admire that is currently working?
Métis soprano Melody Courage. She’s such an inspiration and one of my most favourite people. We actually found out we’re cousins last year, so exciting!
What’s your ancestry?
Tłicho Dene from the Northwest Territories with Scottish Irish heritage.
What’s your favourite non-classical band?
Gorillaz!
Are you a cat person or dog person?
Both, I love animals!
Which album did you listen to last?
The album Missing from the ATOM (Artists of the Opera Missing), including the incredibly talented Continuum Ensemble and conductor Timothy Long. (Side note: the group’s fave snack is Hawkins Cheezies).
Do you believe in ghosts?
Absolutely!
When did you know you wanted to be an opera singer?
It felt like fate but kind of randomly in grade 11, in 2010, was when I started taking voice lessons, and it was a massive snowball effect that has continued to this day.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Always be humble, and if you go for anything, go with all your heart!
The music industry is tough, and filled with rejection. How do you cope? Does it get easier?
Of course it’s hard, but stand tall and remember that your worth isn’t determined by a group of people you don’t know. A sweet treat after also helps.
Do you believe in fate?
I do, but I also believe you have the ability to drive your own life as well. Stretch to larger goals, because you might regret not trying.
What does it mean to be brave with music?
It’s an emotionally driven art form, and depending on the topic, it takes up political space. That’s okay. Don’t be small in what you do. It’s powerful and a medium all can relate to.
What is happiness for you?
I’ve been very lucky to have a great career and family I love. Like someone once told me, if you go for anything, go with all your heart.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHELLE LAFFERTY
VISIT HER WEBSITE
© Lucky Tang
In Missing at Koerner Hall
© Photo used with permission from the artist
In recital at Western University
© Photo used with permission from the artist
In Suor Angelica at the University of Lethbridge
Stabat Mater & Suor Angelica
Calgary Concert Opera
CONDUCTOR: Carlos Foggin
STABT MATER:
SOPRANO: Kathleen Morrison
ALTO: Barbara King
SUOR ANGELICA:
SUOR ANGELICA: Alyssa D’Souza
A ZIA PRINCIPESSA: Barbara King
THE ABBESS: Michelle Lafferty (Sept 12)
THE ABBESS: Desiree Arthur (Sept 14)
THE MONITOR: Cristina Lanz (Sept 12)
THE MONITOR: Stephania Romaniuk (Sept 14)
MISTRESS OF THE NOVICES: Desiree Arthur (Sept 12)
MISTRESS OF THE NOVICES: Michelle Lafferty (Sept 14)
SISTER GENEVIEVE: Anastasia Tolarmi (Sept 12)
SISTER GENEVIEVE: Erin Moore (Sept 14)
SISITER OSMINA: Justine Grant
SISTER DOLCINA: Ava Friesen
NURSING SISTER: Stephania Romaniuk (Sept 12)
NIRSING SISTER: Cristina Lanz (Sept 14)
FIRST TOURIERE: Olena Simsek
SECOND TOURIERE: Kim McCreery
THE NOVICE: Ainsley Soutiere
FIRST LAY-SISTER: Rachel McLellan
SECOND LAY-SISTER: Kim McCreery
SISTER CLARA: Rachel McLellan
SUOR ANGELICA UNDERSTUDY: Anastasia Tolarmi
CHORUS OF SISTERS: Cheryl Grant, Kristen Grant Kennett, Eve Wollin, Kimberly Brown, Kendall Nesdole
Sept 12th, 2025
The Polaris Theatre
7:30pm
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Sept 14th, 2025
Red deer Lake United Church
(near Spruce Meadows)
7:00pm
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