Lois McDonall
Lois Jeanette McDonall (born February 7, 1939) is a Canadian operatic soprano, especially known for her performances in the operas of Mozart and Donizetti. Early life and education. Lois McDonall was born in Larkspur, Alberta. She began her vocal training in Edmonton with Eileen McEcheran, and also studied with Glyndwr Jones in Vancouver. After winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in Seattle, Washington, McDonall was encouraged to seek a career in opera. On the recommendation of Irving Gutmann, she was connected with the University of Toronto where she studied with Irene Jessner, Herman Geiger-Torel and Jacqueline  Richard. Career. Lois McDonall made her Canadian Opera Company debut between 1967-9. Her early roles included: Susanna in Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari "Il segreto di Susanna" and Kate Pinkerton in Puccini's "Madame Butterfly". She then went on to the Stadische Buhren in Flensburg, Germany where she played the demanding title role in Puccini's "Tosca" and Elsa in Wagner's "Lohengrin". In 1970, McDonall became a resident artist at the Sadler's Wells Opera (now the English National Opera). She appeared on short notice in the title role of Handel's "Semele" when the lead soprano became ill during  the first act. During that season, McDonall sang many performances of Constanze in "The Abduction from the Seraglio" by Mozart. In following seasons she performed Fiordiligi from "Così fan tutte", the Countess in "Le nozze di Figaro", Roselinda in "Die Fledermaus", Antonia in "The Tales of Hoffmann", Leonora in "Il trovatore", Freia in "Das Rheingold", Hanna in "The Merry Widow", the title role in Massenet's "Manon", Marschallin in "Der Rosenkavalier", Violetta in "La traviata", Miss Jessel in "The Turn of the Screw" and she created the title role in Iain Hamilton's "Anna Karenina". Lois McDonall spent 14 years  as a resident artist with the English National Opera. In addition to her tenure at the ENO, McDonall made appearances at the Scottish Opera, the Welsh National Opera, Opera North and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where she made her debut in 1975 in Richard Strauss' "Die Frau ohne Schatten". She gave performances in Canada in the 1974 Festival Canada as the Countess and in 1975 with the COC in "Die Fledermaus" and Donna Anna in "Don Giovanni" at the Edmonton Opera in 1977. McDonall returned to live in Canada in 1984 and appeared as the Countess in "The  Marriage of Figaro" at the Hamilton Opera. In 1988, she sang the title role in Fedora with "Opera in Concert". She also sang in the COC's production of "Andrea Chénier" in 1989. Operatic roles. Lois McDonall has performed over 40 principal roles. Some of these roles include: Iain Hamilton and other contemporary music premieres. Lois McDonall has premiered the works of several composers. Among these, most notably is the British Composer, Iain Hamilton. He wrote a few pieces specifically for her voice. These include the opera "Anna Karenina", which was commissioned by the English National Opera in 1978; the  Passion According to St. Mark's, commissioned by the London Chorale in 1982; and "Cleopatra", a dramatic "Scena for Soprano" which was premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the 1978 Proms. Lois McDonall also created the role of Mrs. Medlock in Stephen McNeff's "The Secret Garden" for the COMUS Music Theatre in 1985. Teaching career. Lois McDonall has taught at The Banff Centre in Alberta. She taught at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto from 1986–1992 and taught at the University of Toronto until 2001. Now-prominent students include soprano Othalie Graham, Jackalyn Short, Elliot Madore, Stephen  Harland, and Andrea Ludwig. Today Lois McDonall is retired and lives in Toronto Ontario, Canada. She is a prolific composer and teaches piano to youth and Opera. Recordings. These are McDonall's recordings: