Elizabeth
Cooper, Mezzo-Contralto, began her musical studies
at the age of 10. Starting with the piano, adding
the violin and later the flute, she eventually
found her true passion, singing. She received
her bachelors of music degree from the University
of Georgia in Athens where she studied with Gregory
Broughton. While living in Athens she made her
operatic debut as “Cherubino” with Athena Grand
Opera’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro in their
2001 season. She returned the following season
as “Suzuki” in Madama Butterfly. In May of 2006,
Elizabeth graduated with her master of music degree
in vocal performance and opera from Georgia State
University in Atlanta where she studied in the
studio of Dwight Coleman.
Elizabeth is a regularly sought after performer
having performed such roles as “the Witch” in
Hansel und Gretel, “Katisha” in The Mikado, “Lady
Jane” in Patience, “Zita” in Gianni Schicchi,
“la zia Principessa” in Suor Angelica, “Madam
de la Haultiere” in Cendrillon and “Florence Pike”
in Albert Herring. Elizabeth spent the past two
summers in Italy with La Musica Lirica, where
she toured the Marche region as “Dame Quickly”
in Falstaff and “Maddalena” in Rigoletto. While
in Italy, Elizabeth was a featured singer on numerous
recitals as well as the alto soloist for Bach’s
Cantata no. 7.
As a soloist, Elizabeth has had the pleasure of
performing such major works as Beethoven’s 9th
symphony, Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody, Ralph Vaughan
Williams’ Serenade to Music, Stravinsky’s Les
Noches and Cammile Saint Saën’s Christmas Oratorio.
Elizabeth has worked with some of the opera world’s
most influential conductors and directors including:
Joseph Rescigno, Robert Ashens, Paolo Vaglieri,
Antonio Cavuoto, Bodo Igesz, George Contini and
Dejan Miladinovic.
In the Fall, Elizabeth will be seen in the Georgia
premier of Mark Adamo’s Little Women. She will
be portraying Jo March, a dream role of Elizabeth’s
since she discovered the opera some years ago.
When she is not practicing or performing, Elizabeth
can be found tending bar at Loco’s Grill and Pub
in Alpharetta. If you tip well, you might get
a song out of her.
