Seattle Opera announces new resident artist roles

Seattle Opera has this week announced the appointment of soprano Camille Ortiz and baritone Michael J Hawk to two newly created resident artist roles. Starting from this month the artists will gain a full season of experience with the company, with opportunities to perform in mainstage and chamber productions as well as at public recitals.

In their new roles Ortiz and Hawk will receive professional development, performance, and mentorship opportunities as well as covering at least two full roles in mainstage and chamber productions at Seattle Opera, performing in public recitals and stepping in to perform principal roles as opportunities arise.

The appointments were announced by Seattle Opera general director Christina Scheppelmann who said: ‘The resident artist position offers singers a supportive environment to expand their repertoire and grow as artists. Having a consistent, long-term relationship with a larger company will allow these artists to focus on their development while working alongside the company’s staff. We are so excited to welcome Camille and Michael, our inaugural artists, who are already excellent singers with bright, promising futures.’

Currently assistant professor of voice at the University of Oregon, Camille Ortizwill hold the role of resident artist until December 2023, covering Freia and Woglinde in Das Rheingold and Morgana in Alcina. Michael J. Hawk is a graduate of LA Opera’s Young Artist Program, and will cover Donner in Das Rheingold and Figaro in The Barber of Seville, performing with Seattle Opera until the end of the 2023-24 season

The new resident artists will also give a recital in Seattle Opera’s Tagney Jones Hall and participate in the organisation’s public programs as well as performing in the company’s 60^th anniversary concert and gala. In addition to these performances, resident artists will receive coaching from Seattle Opera’s music staff and mentorship in opera administration from company management as well as getting support from visiting artists as they prepare roles and develop their careers.