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Leslie Fagan - Soprano
"...her voice sounds nothing short of astonishing….she is in a class of her own."
Robert Thomas, Wholenote Magazine
Leslie Fagan's exceptional artistry and talent continue to garner much attention on international stages. Having performed under the batons of such noted conductors as Hans Graf, Sir David Wilcocks,
Jukke Pekke Saraste, Kent Tritle and Daniel Lipton, Ms. Fagan has delighted audiences and critics alike at Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Bordeaux Opera House, Roy Thomson Hall and Massey Hall.
An exciting 2008-2009 season is in store for Leslie with return engagements to both Lincoln Center; Brahm's Requiem, and Carnegie Hall; Handel's Messiah and Bach's B Minor Mass. Leslie will be singing Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the Sacred Music in a Sacred Space Series at St. Ignatius of Loyola, New York City. Also included in this year's season are performances of Carmina Burana, Mahler's 2nd Symphony, Mozart's Requiem, and Benjamin Britten's War Requiem with Fanshawe Chorus London, under the direction of her father, Gerald Fagan.
The 2007-2008 season marked Ms. Fagan's official Carnegie Hall debut and her Lincoln Center debut. She was invited by both the Oratorio Society of New York under the direction of Kent Tritle and Musica Sacra under the baton of Richard Westenburg to sing their performances of Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall in December. Leslie made her Licoln Center Debut in May singing Carmina Burana with Musica Sacra and the world premiere of Alessandro Cadario's Cantata for Revival.
Highlights of Ms. Fagan's past engagements include a solo concert of music of Stravinsky and Debussy with the Bordeaux Aquitaine Symphonie Nationale in France, Bach's Weinachts Oratorium in Stuttgart, Germany, Handel's Messiah with Sir David Willcocks at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, and with Tafelmusik Orchestra and Choir in Toronto, Ontario and guest soloist at the International Choral Festival in Gouda, Netherlands. Ms. Fagan has been fortunate enough to share the stage with many great artists including Victor Borge and Maureen Forrester.
On the opera stage, Ms. Fagan has sung the title role in Donizetti's Linda di Chamounix, Pamina in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Sophie in Massenet's Werther, Musetta in Verdi's La Bohème and Nanetta in Verdi's Falstaff. At the Aldeburgh Festival in England, Ms. Fagan performed the roles of Tytania in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni.
Ms. Fagan can be heard frequently on CBC radio and has appeared on CBC television and both BBC radio and television. Leslie Fagan's recordings include her debut solo album Le miroir de mon amour and A Song for all Seasons with The Toronto Children's Chorus.
Leslie Fagan is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she studied with Madame Irene Jessner and Lois Marshall. Prior to entering university Ms. Fagan studied privately with Catherine Robbin and Greta Kraus. In 2001, Ms. Fagan was the recipient of a Chalmers Grant, which enabled her to study with the great Romanian soprano, Ileana Cotrubas in France. In the summer of 2007, Ms. Fagan traveled to Italy to study with Martin Isepp at the Centre for Operatic Studies Sulmona Italy, which led to an invitation to work with this master of Mozart privately in London, England. This Italian study period was made possible by the generous support of the Canada Council.
Ottawa born Leslie Fagan now resides in Hamilton. In between her busy performing schedule, Leslie collects antique furniture, and designs and makes many of her performance gowns.
Recent Reviews
"In the difficult role of his mother, Nitocris, Leslie Fagan sang with a bright, nimble soprano and aptly portrayed the anguish of a parent who despairs of her vile son yet still loves him."
Handel's Belshazzar, Choir and Orchestra of St. Ignatius Loyola
Vivien Schweitzer, October 2007
To see the original New York Times review, click here.
"Leslie Fagan was more adventurous in her embellishments and took a few risks as well, soaring fleetingly into an upper range...she gave "How Beautiful Are the Feet of Them" and "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" with the dignified grace they require."
Allan Kozinn, New York Times, December 2007
"Leslie Fagan, soprano...had transcendent moments as well."
Allan Kozinn, New York Times, December 2007
To see the original New York Times review, click here.
"Leslie Fagan was as light as her emerald-green dress in her solo Stetit Pulella."
Carmina Burana, Musica Sacra
Harry Rolnick, Concerto.net
To see the original Concerto.net review, click here.
"...Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Faure, Tchaikovsky and Hahn are beautifully sung...her voice
sounds nothing short of astonishing. I am talking about Richard Strauss of which we only get 3 and are left wanting more!...she is in a class of her own."
Le miroir de mon amour (CD)
Robert Tomas, Wholenote March 2004
"Coloratura Soprano Leslie Fagan in the title role impressed from the start, but then her opening aria 'O luce di quest'anima' is a real cliff climber with stratosperically high notes. There are other vocal peaks to scale, too, and she did this fearlessly and successfully..."
Linda di Chamounix, Opera in Concert
Geoff Chapman, The Toronto Star
"Fagan displayed her solid technique...sparkling in the quick scalar runs, handling the passagio with ease. Reynald Hahn's L'heure Exquise was exquisite...Ah, fors'e lui & Sempre libera... wowing everyone with her ringing high E flat."
Brott Summer Music Festival, Recital
Leonard Turnevicius, Hamilton Spectator July 2005
"Leslie Fagan's voice floated beautifully above the choir. Her tone in O Glaube was exquisite."
Mahler 2nd Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic
Leonard Turnevicius, Hamilton Spectator Mar 2005
"Fagan's pitch and agility were nothing short of wonderful. Her voice was both clear and fullsounding."
Alberta Baroque Ensemble Concert
D.T. Baker, Edmonton Journal, April 2001 | 
