Elise DesChamps

Élise DesChamps | Mezzo-soprano

“In the title role, Élise DesChamps' great beauty and dramatic skill were her greatest assets in her portrayal of Carmen, and her rich, powerful, sensuous voice made her character more than capable of handling Don José and Escamillo. Throughout the production the audience who observed her actions and heard her control her lovers with her dark, rich mezzo-soprano voice admired her vocal and dramatic skills.” Martha A. Fawbush,
Classical Voice of NC

“Élise DesChamps sparkles with vocal brilliance and radiant beauty.” “… the warmth of her voice and the fragrance of her beauty lend themselves to her sprite-like believability.”  Jeff Gates, The Madison Press

“Strong contributions from Élise DesChamps (Cherubino)...were well received, as the opera itself.”  “DesChamps (Tisbe) and Clorinda ably handled the sisters’ (La Cenerentola) coloratura effusions while bouncing with exhilaration about the stage.” Charles H. Parsons, Opera News

“Élise DesChamps brings great poise and youthful dignity to the role of his mother…her singing voice was fittingly royal.”  Cynthia Wolfe, Bloomington Voice

“Tisbe inaugurates the proceedings with feisty singing and dancing…Elise DesChamps’ Tisbe harmonizes and blends beautifully, making this an exceptionally fine pair.” Barbara Zuck, The Columbus Dispatch

Élise DesChamps has distinguished herself as an impressive singing actress in varied repertoire ranging from charmingly feminine portrayals to convincing trouser roles through an exceptionally rich Mezzo-Soprano voice.  Ms. DesChamps opened the 2010-2011 season with Opera Columbus as Stephano in Roméo et Juliette  and with Asheville Lyric Opera in the title role of Bizet’s Carmen. In the past season, she appeared with Asheville Lyric Opera as Maddalena in Rigoletto  and in Romeo et Juliette, with Opera Columbus as Thisbe in La Cenerentola, and on tour as the title role. Additional recent engagements include a return to Cincinnati Opera as Zinnia in Chabrier’s L’Etoile and as a member of their Young Artist Program, La Traviata  with Opera Columbus, as well as the title role in Iolanthe, and a production in Ottawa as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. Future engagements include a debut with Opera Project Columbus as La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica, Handel’s Messiah with Virginia Symphony and Boise Philharmonic, and to Montréal and Ottawa, Canada for a series of recitals.

Ms. DesChamps has been the recipient of numerous grants, scholarships and awards, including those of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Robert Bourassa Foundation, the Charles-Émiles Gadbois Competition, the Académie Internationale d’Été De Nice and was invited by the Vermont Opera Theater to the Foliage Art Song Master Class with Dalton Baldwin.

Ms. DesChamps is originally from Montréal, Canada. The young singer performed graduate work at Indiana University, where she received a Master of Music in Voice with legendary Romanian Soprano Virginia Zeani. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Montréal Conservatory with degrees in Cello and Musicology. She is currently on the voice faculty of The Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus, Ohio.