Ms. Pfaender performs the role of Dritte Dame in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.
Conductor: Giulio Cilona
Director: Günter Krämer
Orchestra: Orchester der Deutsche Oper Berlin
Ms. Pfaender debuts the role of Marcellina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro.
Conductor: Emily Senturia
Director: E. Loren Meeker
Ms. Pfaender reprises her signature role of Carmen at Wolf Trap Opera.
Conductor: José Luis Gómez
Director: John de los Santos
Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra
Ms. Pfaender sings the role of Second Secretary in Adams’s Nixon in China.
Conductor: Daniel Carter
Directors: Hauen und Stechen
Orchestra: Orchester der Deutsche Oper Berlin
Ms. Pfaender performs the role of Anna Kennedy in the theatre’s premiere of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda.
Conductor: José Miguel Pérez-Sierra
Director: David McVicar
Choir and Orchestra: Coro y Orquesta Titulares del Teatro Real
Ms. Pfaender sings the role of Nancy T’ang, First Secretary in John Adams’s Nixon in China.
Conductor: Daniel Carter
Directors: Hauen und Stechen
Orchestra: Orchester der Deutsche Oper Berlin
Ms. Pfaender performs the role of Waltraute in Wagner’s Die Walküre.
Conductor: Sir Donald Runnicles
Director: Stefan Herheim
Orchestra: Orchester der Deutsche Oper Berlin
Ms. Pfaender sings alongside soprano Lise Davidsen in selections from Otello with the Orchestra of the Teatro Real.
Conductor: José Miguel Pérez-Sierra
Orchestra: Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real
Ms. Pfaender covers the role of Maddalena in Verdi’s Rigoletto.
Conductor: Nicola Luisotti
Director: Miguel del Arco
Orchestra: Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real
Ms. Pfaender covers the role of Princess Zofia in Moniuszko’s Halka.
Conductor: Łukasz Borowicz
Chorus master: José Luis Basso
Orchestra: Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real
Ms. Pfaender covers the role of Medoro in Handel’s Orlando.
Conductor: Ivor Bolton
Director: Claus Guth
Orchestra: Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real
Ms. Pfaender covers the role of Neris in Cherubini’s Médée.
Conductor: Ivor Bolton
Director: Paco Azorín
Orchestra: Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real
Ms. Pfaender joins Kevin Murphy and others fellows from his current program for singers at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute to the Ravinia stage, singing arias from Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. George Stelluto, the man behind the 1812 Overture’s cannons for much of the last decade, steps out once again to lead the concert, also featuring the Shakespearean Tempest Fantasy.
Conductor: George Stelluto
Orchestra: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra
with Kevin Murphy, piano
Celeste Morales, soprano
Elissa Pfaender, mezzo-soprano
Yuntong Han, tenor
Erik Grendahl, baritone
Ms. Pfaender performs as a Vocal Fellow at the renowned Ravinia Steans Music Institute, under the direction of Kevin Murphy.
Ms. Pfaender performs the title role of Carmen in her debut with Opera North.
Conductor: Louis G. Burkot
Director: Alex Paul Sheerin
Orchestra: Opera North Orchestra
Ms. Pfaender returns to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as a Richard Gaddes Festival Artist, singing the role of Mrs. McLean in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah.
Conductor: Gemma New
Director: Patricia Racette
Orchestra: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Recently named a winner of the Pittsburgh District, Ms.Pfaender competes against other district winners in the Great Lakes Region competition.
Ms. Pfaender competes as a Finalist in the Orpheus National Music Competition, sponsored by the Middle Tennessee Choral Society.
Ms. Pfaender joins New York City Opera as a soloist alongside other artists to perform an hour of iconic Christmas carols. This free performance takes place near Christmas Tree and can be heard by skaters on the Rink as well as visitors throughout the Deck.
Ms. Pfaender joins Tulsa Opera for their 75th Anniversary Season as a Filstrup Resident Artist, performing the role of Zulma and covering the title role of Isabella in their production of L’Italiana in Algeri.
Conductor: Leslie Dunner
Director: Kimille Howard
Orchestra: Tulsa Symphony
Ms. Pfaender sings the role of Alisa in NYCO’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor in Bryant Park.
Conductor: Contstantine Oberlain
Director: Michael Capasso
As a part of the Central Park Concert Series at Wollman Rink, Ms. Pfaender will sing selections from Carmen, Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, and more.
This electric event shines a spotlight on Opera Theatre’s Richard Gaddes Festival Artist and Gerdine Young Artist Programs. A cadre of rising opera stars will perform iconic melodies from opera’s greatest hits and cherished rarities. Center Stage is curated by Patricia Racette, Artistic Director of Young Artist Programs, and James Robinson, Artistic Director of Opera Theatre.
Ms. Pfaender debuts the role of Dr. Landau in the world premiere of Tobias Picker’s Awakenings.
Conductor: Roberto Kalb
Director: James Robinson
Orchestra: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Ms. Pfaender covers the role of Third Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
Conductor: Rory Macdonald
Director: Omer Ben Seadia
Orchestra: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Ms. Pfaender covers the title role of Carmen in Bizet’s Carmen.
Conductor: Daniela Candilari
Director: Rodula Gaitanou
Orchestra: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Ms. Pfaender will cover the roles of Mama and Signora Olga in “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis” by Ricky Ian Gordon with New York City Opera.
Conductor: James Lowe
Stage Director: Richard Stafford
Ms. Pfaender joins New York City Opera as a soloist alongside the LaGuardia High school chorus to perform an hour of iconic Christmas carols. This free performance takes place near the newly-lit Tree and can be heard by skaters on the Rink as well as visitors throughout the Deck.
Ms. Pfaender will work with internationally acclaimed baritone Sherrill Milnes and other faculty throughout the week, culminating in a final recital at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
Ms. Pfaender sings Opera Scenes and Arias alongside her fellow apprentice artists for the Bradenton Opera Guild.
Performing solos and duets with the Richmond County Orchestra
Alan Aurelia, Conductor
Performing solos and duets with the Richmond County Orchestra
Alan Aurelia, Conductor
Ms. Pfaender will be a Vocal Fellow at the Manchester Music Festival in Stratton Mountain, Vermont. She will receive coaching and mentoring in opera and art song from renowned pianist and coach Warren Jones, culminating in a concert at the end of the residency.
