Jill Gardner
American soprano Jill Gardner sits among today’s leading operatic heroines. Ms. Gardner is consistently hailed for her portrayals of the leading ladies of the verismo repertoire and Puccini heroines alike. Considered one of the great interpreters of the title role of Tosca, she recently performed the role with several different opera houses, including Opera Carolina, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Arizona Opera, Lyric Opera Baltimore, Toledo Opera, Piedmont Opera, Mill City Summer Opera, and Boston Lyric Opera in her role début. Opera News calls Ms. Gardner’s interpretation of Tosca “fresh and focused” and states “in Gardner’s hands, her Act II aria, ‘Vissi d’arte,’ was not merely a famous showstopper but an opportunity to reveal layers of Tosca’s character…” Recent engagements include Georgetta/Santuzza (Tabbaro/Cavalleria Rusticana) with Maryland Lyric Opera, the title role of Tosca with Tri-Cities Opera, Anna Maurrant (Street Scene) with Virginia Opera, Minnie (La Fanciulla del West) with Maryland Lyric Opera, and Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly) with Greensboro Opera. She also performed as a soloist in Greensboro Opera’s gala and Binghamton Philharmonic’s “Wagner’s Ring Cycle in One Night” concert, Minnie (La fanciulla del West) with Virginia Opera, the Marquise of Berkenfield (La fille du Regiment) with Hawaii Opera Theatre, and Lady Macbeth (Macbeth) with Opera Tampa. 2020 engagements were to include performing the title role of Tosca with Eugene Opera and Tabarro/Gianni Schicchi with Maryland Lyric Opera. Ms. Gardner has quite a history as a leading lady in opera’s most infamous repertoire. Some highlights from these include the title roles of Manon Lescaut with Opera Grand Rapids, which she also covered with Washington National Opera; Madama Butterfly in her role début with Arizona Opera and at Piedmont Opera; Suor Angelica with Opera Carolina; Lady Macbeth in (Macbeth) with Michigan Opera Theatre and Chautauqua Opera; Tatiana (Eugene Onegin) with Eugene Opera; Mimì (La Bohème) with Boston Lyric Opera; Marguerite (Faust) with Madison Opera; Minnie (La Fanciulla del West) with Opera Coeur d’Alene, in her role début; and Nedda (Pagliacci) with Michigan Opera Theatre, Mill City Opera, and her début with Lyric Opera of Chicago. Ms. Gardner last appeared as Tosca with Toledo Opera.