Lynne McMurtry

Described as “a force of nature” (Toronto Star) and “an actress of immense talent” (Opera Canada), contralto Lynne McMurtry’s credits include Arsace in Rossini’s Semiramide with Opera in Concert,Mistress Quickly in Falstaff with Calgary Opera and Opera Hamilton, and Mamma Lucia in Cavelleria Rusticana with Edmonton Opera. Other recent performances include Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro with Opera Lyra and Bloody Mary in South Pacific with Pacific Opera Victoria. Lynne's rich, generous instrument and keen musical intelligence have brought her acclaim in a wealth of opera and orchestral concert repertoire. Credits include Janáček's Glagolitic Mass with the Edmonton Symphony, Handel's Messiah with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Elijah with the Newfoundland Symphony, Mahler's Rückert Liederwith the Winnipeg Symphony, and Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen with Symphony New Brunswick.Upcoming performances include her debut with the Calgary Philharmonic in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphonyand a return to Manitoba Opera for Falstaff. A recent highlight is the cd release of The Complete Songs of Virgil Thomson with the Florestan Recital Project on New World Records, which features her performances with Alison d’Amato on piano.

Lynne grew up in Vernon, B.C., and attended the University of British Columbia, the Eastman School of Music, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where she was a winner of the Opera Trust Scholarship.  Lynne lives in Fredonia, NY.  She teaches at the State University of New York College at Fredonia and is a Founding Faculty Artist of the Vancouver International Song Institute.