Biography

Barbara Porto is an American soprano who has been praised for her vocal clarity and engaging stage presence. Last season, she sang the role of Monica in Menotti’s The Medium with New Camerata Opera and The Curiosity Cabinet ensemble. She also performed in the New York premiere of Lesley Dill and Richard Marriott’s Divide Light. Other operatic credits include Oberto (Alcina), Mademoiselle Silberklang, Zerlina, Barbarina, Crobyle (Thaïs), Servilia (La Clemenza di Tito), Anna Gomez (The Consul), and Giannetta (L'elisir d'amore). This season, she will sing the title role of John Blow’s Venus and Adonis and Lucia in Benjamin Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia with New Camerata Opera.

Equally committed to new music, Barbara “glistened like a jewel” as Rebecca Manchester in Kevin Wilt’s one-woman show, Prix Fixe, with Fresh Squeezed Opera (www.feastofmusic.com) in June 2017. She was also a Young Artist at the Institute & Festival For Contemporary Performance, performing works by Milton Babbitt, Cathy Berberian, and Luciano Berio.

A California native, Ms. Porto holds a B.A. in both Music and Psychology from Occidental College, where she studied with mezzo soprano Alma Mora Ponce. She also holds a M.S. in Special Education from CUNY Hunter College. Barbara earned her M.M. Performance degree at Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of soprano Anna Skibinsky. She resides in New York City, and continues her vocal study with Mark Schnaible.