In the 2023/2024 Season, Chelsea Laggan has brought her “memorably timbred dark mezzo” (Opera News) to multiple debuts, most notably in her house and role debut singing in the title role in Bizet’s Carmen with Sarasota Opera, and her Swiss debut as Mistress Quickly in Verdi’s Falstaff with the Verbier Festival under the baton of Vincenzo Milletarì.
Along with her extensive opera repertoire, Ms. Laggan has a wide ranging experience across sacred and secular concert music, having performed with orchestras and ensembles across the country. This season she performed with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra in Mozart’s Requiem and Vox AmaDeus in Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody at the Kimmel Center, Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s B minor Mass, and Mozart’s Mass in C.
In Spring 2022, Ms. Laggan originated the role of Nelly/Heather in the world premiere concert version of Kevin Puts’ The Hours with the Philadelphia Orchestra. She has also brought a number of classic mezzo characters to life in performance with regional companies- highlights include Nettie Fowler in Carousel, Zita in Gianni Schicci, Olga in Eugene Onegin, Maddalena in Rigoletto, Erda in Das Rheingold, Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro, Ježibaba in Rusalka, and La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica.
Ms. Laggan is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts, and in 2023, is a Career Bridges Grant Winner, Jensen Vocal Competition Finalist, and Elizabeth Connell Prize Quarter-Finalist. She is also a recipient of prizes from the Camille Coloratura Awards, the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, and the WRTI Giargiari Bel Canto Competition Audience Choice Award.
Photos shot on location by Micah Gleason and Don Valentino.
Chelsea Laggan is pretty much the best and you should hire her.