Mary Thorne, from Washington State, makes her Amato Opera debut this season as Despina in Così fan tutte.
Frequently heard in Mozart roles, Ms. Thorne has sung Königin der Nacht in Die Zauberflöte with the Opera Company of Brooklyn on its unique BYOB Series and appeared in the same role with One World Symphony. Other Mozart roles include: Papagena in Die Zauberflöte and Mademoiselle Silberklang in Der Schauspieldirektor with New York Metro Vocal Arts Ensemble, Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro with the Bronx Opera Company, and Blondchen in Die Entführung aus dem Serail.
An advocate of American opera, Ms. Thorne enjoys collaborating with composers on new works. Last season, she appeared in Adam Silverman’s Korczak’s Orphans with Opera Company of Brooklyn and in John David Earnest’s The Theory of Everything with Encompass New Opera Theatre on New York City Opera’s VOX: On the Edge. She has also performed established American works, such as, the Soprano in The Four Note Opera by Tom Johnson and Sarah Good in The Crucible by Robert Ward with the Liederkranz Foundation, as well as, Greta Fiorentino in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene.
In concert, the soprano has appeared with the Greenwich Music Festival in Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne and with the CUNY Contemporary Ensemble in David Del Tredici's piece for soprano and orchestra, Haddock’s Eyes, in which she worked with the composer. A frequent recitalist, Ms. Thorne has created and presented various programs. Her most recent program featured the songs of Virgil Thomson.
In competition, Ms. Thorne was a finalist in the 2007 Capitol Region Opera Idol Competition in Concord, New Hampshire. She has earned top awards in the Civic Morning Musicals Competition, NATS San Diego Chapter Scholarship Competition, and the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus Young Artist Competition.