BIOS
NATALIE GASSI | Soprano
Acclaimed by Opera Canada as “a lovely, powerful soprano with a tremendous range,” Soprano Natalie Gassi is quickly becoming one of Canada’s bright opera stars. She is in high demand for solo performances and opera productions throughout Canada. Since completing her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance at the University of Toronto, and her Masters of Music in Literature and Performance at Western University, Natalie has appeared as a soloist and guest artist with various opera companies throughout the greater Toronto area. Within the past few years, Natalie has performed numerous operatic roles including the title roles in Suor Angelica and Madama Butterfly, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and Mimì in La Bohème.
Natalie made her international debut in 2010, singing Violetta in La Traviata at the Centre for Opera Studies in Sulmona, Italy. That summer, she participated in the Halifax Summer Opera Workshop, singing the lead role in Floyd’s Susannah. This marked her first return to Halifax since performing the role of Contessa Almaviva in 2008 “with a full, fruity sound, hitting all the right emotional targets” (The Halifax Herald, 2008).
Demonstrating her vocal endurance and agility in March 2007, Natalie performed the role of Violetta in La Traviata with both Opera York and Toronto Opera Repertoire, singing three shows in four days. She was praised as being “clearly prepared and ready to start a full-time career” (De Standaard, 2007) and for giving “an affecting performance” (Opera Canada, 2007).
Natalie had the opportunity to work with distinguished performers and coaches including Sherrill Milnes, Joan Dornemann and Maria Zouves when she was selected as one of twelve singers to participate in the V.O.I.C.Experience young artist program in February 2009. Upon her return to Canada, Natalie performed the lead role of Matilde in the world premiere of Ray Luedeke’s contemporary opera, I Confess, I Have Lived. Other notable performances include singing alongside Canadian baritone Russell Braun with the Brampton Lyric Opera Orchestra, and with acclaimed tenor Mario Zhang at the Toronto Centre for the Arts with Orchestra Toronto. She hopes to continue sharing her love of opera on national and international stages..
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CONLAN GASSI | Tenor
Tenor Conlan Gassi is quickly becoming recognized as a gifted performer on the concert and operatic stages. A graduate of the
Masters of Music Program at Western University, Conlan made his operatic debut in 2010 in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. In May 2010, he worked with Orchestra London in Handel’s Giulio Cesare. The following month, Conlan made his international debut as the title character in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, in Sulmona, Italy.
Conlan spent many summers performing abroad, with roles including Masetto in Don Giovanni, Belcore in L’elisir d’amore, Sid in Albert Herring, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Escamillo in Carmen, Marcello in La Bohème and the title role in Gianni Schicchi. Conlan has been an active performer in southern Ontario, performing the roles of Ferrando in Così fan tutte, Tamino in The Magic Flute, and Fritz in L'amico Fritz, all with Abridged Opera. He has also recently performed as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Opera by Request and as Sam in Susannah with Peck Productions. Music theatre engagements include Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden with London Community Players, and Larry in Company with Music Theatre on the Thames.
Upcoming engagements include the role of Johnathan Harker in the world premiere of Dracula, an opera by Dylan Langan, with Vera Causa Opera, as well as the Tenor Soloist in the Schönberg & Sondheim concert with the Karen Schuessler Singers.
Conlan has taught as the head Voice instructor at D&S Voice Studios as well as the Montessori Academy of London. He is excited to offer his expertise to the singers of the Gassi Voice Studio, and help them achieve their musical and artistic goals.
