The following information was kindly provided to me by Sue Braatvedt:
SUE BRAATVEDT, mezzo-soprano
Sue Braatvedt is originally from South Africa. She holds a B.A. (Hons) Degree in Music and Drama, a Dip. Arts in Music, and a Ph.D in Music Education.
In South Africa she sang solo roles in opera productions for all the four major arts organisations:
- Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC)
- Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB)
- Performing Arts Council of the Orange Free State (PACOFS)
- Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal (PACT)
She was contracted as mezzo-soprano soloist to PACT for six years. During this time she sang the role of Amneris to the Aida of Martina Arroyo in the opening season of the State Theatre in Pretoria, for which she was awarded the Nederburg Prize for Opera. She sang the role of Fenena in Verdi's Nabucco in the opening season of the new Sand du Plessis Theatre in Bloemfontein. She won the Vita Award for Opera for her performance as Maddalena in Verdi’s Rigoletto.
Other highlights among her more than twenty-five opera roles included Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte and the title role in Bizet’s Carmen, which was broadcast on national television. She also appeared on national television in a number of other operatic excerpts. She was a regular lieder recitalist with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Sue frequently performed as a soloist in concerts, lieder recitals and oratorio - in Verdi’s Requiem, Rossini’s Stabat Mater and Petite Messe Sollennelle, and Brahms’s Alto Rhapsody, among others. She was also part of a professional quartet, The Solo Ensemble.
In 1986 Sue immigrated to the United States, where she performed as soloist for Boston Lyric Opera and Boston Academy of Music, and appeared in oratorios and concerts for the New York Grand Opera and at Lincoln Center. A highlight of her New York City concert performances was her appearance as a soloist in 1995 in a Verdi concert in Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Centre, New York City.
In 1997 Sue left the USA for New Zealand, where she has performed as soloist in the Devonport Arts Festival and in Mendelssohn’s Elijah in Rotorua. She settled in Christchurch in 1998. For Canterbury Opera she sang the roles of Olga in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Suzuki in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Marthe in Gounod's Faust, and Berta in Rossini's Barber of Seville. In December 1998 she appeared as alto soloist in Handel's Messiah with the Christchurch City Choir. She was soloist in "Opera in the Park" in 1999, soloist in concerts and oratorios in both the Anglican and Catholic Cathedrals and soloist in the Town Hall for several University of Canterbury graduation ceremonies. Sue gave a lieder recital in the Great Hall in October 2000. During this time Sue also performed the role of Santuzza in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana for Melbourne Lyric Opera. While in New Zealand Sue was part of a professional quartet, Vocalpoint, and has performed in a trio with Tony Ferner (principal flautist of the CSO) and accompanist Mark Secker.
In 2002 Sue moved from New Zealand to Australia. Roles in which Sue has appeared for Melbourne City Opera include Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore and Giorgetta in Puccini's Il Tabarro (November 2003). In March 2003 she sang the mezzo solo in Verdi's Requiem for Queensland Opera, and since settling in Melbourne in 2003 she has sung solos in several concerts and oratorios.
Sue enjoys teaching singing when she is not performing.
