Caroline Olsen

Mezzo-soprano Caroline Olsen brings her “warm, earth-toned resonance,” (Boston Classical Review) to many styles of music at home and abroad. Highlights of this season’s solo engagements include appearances with The Clarion Choir (New York, NY), Connecticut Early Music Festival (New London, CT), Lyric Fest (Philadelphia, PA), and as a recitalist.

Ms. Olsen originated the lead role of Molly Bloom in Benjamin P. Welzelberg’s award-winning opera, NIGHTTOWN, with Lowell House Opera (Cambridge, MA). Critics called her “a strong emotional anchor” who conveyed the character’s inner conflicts “with ease,” (Schmopera). The many new works in Ms. Olsen’s repertoire include world premieres by Jonathan Woody, Thomas Oboe Lee, Thomas Weaver, Adria Stolk, and Rośsa Crean.

Other recent solo appearances include the lead role of Anima in a staged production of Ordo Virtutum with Cappella Clausura (Newton, MA), Handel’s Messiah with Handel and Haydn Society (Rockport, MA), J. S. Bach’s Magnificat with the Chorus of Westerly (Westerly, RI), Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Requiem with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (New London, CT), Vivaldi’s Gloria and J. S. Bach’s B Minor Mass with the Connecticut Early Music Society, and Duruflé’s Requiem with The Thirteen (Washington, DC).

Committed to performing works by women composers and poets, Ms. Olsen has designed recital programs featuring the works of Alma Schindler Mahler, Margaret Bonds, and Florence Price, among others, and lyrics from Emily Dickinson and several First Ladies of the United States. An avid recitalist, Ms. Olsen has performed the gamut of art song styles and specializes in late Romantic German Lieder, French chanson, and Scandinavian art song.

A skilled collaborative musician, Ms. Olsen performs with professional ensembles including Handel and Haydn Society, The Clarion Choir, The New Consort (New York, NY), The Thirteen, Oregon Bach Festival Chorus (Eugene, OR), Emmanuel Music (Boston, MA), and JSB Ensemble (Stuttgart, Germany).

Caroline Olsen was born and raised in California. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Music Education from the College of Fine Arts at Boston University. When not onstage, she teaches adult English learners. www.CarolineOlsen.com