Ola

Ola Rafało 

Ola Rafało, dramatic mezzosoprano, has been called a "Vocal Powerhouse" , by critics. She has earned critical acclaim in a variety of roles and venues with her “voluptuous”, “contralto like sound” and mesmerizing acting.

   “Rafało proved to be a mezzo to watch, with a strong Stride la Vampa” said Anne Midgette, for the Washington Post, Kennedy Center, at the Washington Chorus’ Essential Verdi concert 2014, where Rafało was featured as Azucena, and Amneris. She performed Fenena in Nabucco (Baltimore Lyric Opera, Opera Carolina), “Rafało produced the best singing of the evening "– L. Gazzola of Opera Lively. Naturally continuing in the Verdi repertory, Ola performed Azucena in Il Trovatore with Opera Forza, and Maddalena in Rigoletto with Gulfshore Opera. She was featured in various galas singing Verdi, including: Gulfshore Opera, Opera Tampa, Springfield Symphony, Teatro Curci, Paderewski Symphony.

   Ola started her career as a mezzo in the title role of La Tragedie de Carmen (2013) with Syracuse Opera, making a big splash in “Opera Today” and leading to subsequent performances of the Bizet version with: New Jersey Verismo Opera, Gulfshore Opera, the Lyric Orchestra, and in highlights with the Pacific Symphony. Other roles she has performed are; Charlotte in Werther with Martha Cardona Opera at the Kaufman Center, highlights from Samson et Dalilah in various venues, the Mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, with Orlando Opera, Fricka in Die Walküre, and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, with the Lyric Orchestra, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana with Opera Angelo, and the Old Gypsy woman in Rachmaninoff's Aleko with Chicago Opera Theater. She created the prima donna role in a new work: OPERAWARS, that combines the arts of opera, circus, theatre with Opera Del Sol.  Ola received an award from UNESCO for her performance as Alkmene in the Olympic Torch, (a modern Greek opera by P. Karousos).
Other Concert highlights include Carnegie Hall as the Alto soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria, as well as De Falla’s El Amor Brujo with the Pacific Symphony,which she sang with a “fine dusky quality”-L.A. Times. She was honored to perform the alto role in the American premier of Poniatowski’s Mass, with the Paderewski Symphony, an important work of Polish history.

Ola was honored to receive the Maria Callas Prize at the Giulio Fregosi Concorso di Lirica in Voghiera, Italy, as well as the Kitakiushu prize, and the Premio di Teatro Bibiena. She is the 2nd prize winner of the 2017 Altamura-Caruso competition. In 2015 she won Fourth Prize and the Audience choice award from the Young Patronesses of Opera Competition. She has been awarded the Giulietta Simionato career grant from the Inter-city Arts foundation. In 2009, she was awarded the audience prize at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Southeast chapter. In 2008, she was awarded Grand Prize of the Elgin Opera competition and First Prize of the Sherrill Milnes Opera Idol competition. Miss Rafało was an apprentice artist at Sarasota Opera, where she received the Leo M.Rogers award, as well as a young artist at Opera Tampa, and Palm Beach Opera.

More at: http://olarafalo.com/