Handel’s Messiah

About Sarah Fleiss

Described as "bright" and "stylish" by Opera News, American soprano Sarah Fleiss is a current member of Le Jardin des Voix with Les Arts Florissants under William Christie and Paul Agnew traveling internationally as La Poésie in Les arts florissants and Proserpine in La Descente d'Orphée aux Enfers by Marc Antoine Charpentier. On tour, she has enjoyed debuts at the Philharmonie Luxembourg, the Lucerne Festival, Opéra Royal de Versailles, Philharmonie de Paris, Opéra de Massy, Auditorio Nacional Madrid, Auditorium-Orchestre National de Lyon, Opera Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, and the Auditorio Principe Felipe Oviedo. This summer, she debuts with the Monteverdi Festival in Cremona, Italy singing La Fortuna and Damigella in L'incoronazione di Poppea and continues touring with Le Jardin des Voix across North America. 

For more information, visit https://www.sarahfleiss.com.

About Samuel Higgins

Countertenor Samuel Higgins is recognized nationally for his "innate musicality" and "complex understanding of music", qualities that have shaped him into one of the most intriguing young artist of his generation. Currently pursuing his Master's degree at the Curtis Institute of Muisc, Higgins studies under celebrated mentors such as Julia Faulknew and Amanda Majeski, refining a voice known for its expressive warmth and stylistic versatility.

His career began early: as a boy soprano, Higgins premiered several commissioned works and performed at the United Nations in New York for the dedication of Trygve Lie Plaza, an event attended by the Prime Minister of Norway and other dignitaries. These formative experiences helped cultivate the poise and interpretive depth that now define his performances.

In recent years, Higgins has become especially devoted to the music of J.S. Bach, whose intricate vocal writing aligns naturally with his clarity of tone and intellectual rigor. His performances reflect a deep engagement with text, structure, and emotional architecture, hallmarks of a countertenor with a distinctive artistic voice. 

For more information, visit https://www.samhigginsvoice.com/?ct=1782747264553.

About Landry Allen

Lyric tenor Landry Allen, praised by Opera News as “the mettlesome tenor,” is a rising force in the operatic world, known for his vibrant tone, expressive phrasing, and charismatic stage presence. A native of West Monroe, Louisiana, Allen holds degrees from Northwestern State University and the Curtis Institute of Music, where he honed a vocal style ideally suited to both classical lyricism and modern dramatic writing. 

His growing list of accolades includes being named a 2026 Semi‑Finalist in Houston Grand Opera’s Concert of Arias and receiving an Encouragement Award from the 2025 Opera Index Vocal Competition. Allen has further developed his craft through performances with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and the Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival, earning praise for the “oomph and purity of tone” that make him a natural interpreter of Britten. 

With a voice that balances youthful brightness and emotional depth, Allen continues to expand his repertoire and artistic reach, captivating audiences with each new role. 

For more information, visit https://www.landryallentenor.com/press?ct=1782747859544.

About Emilio Vásquez

Baritone Emilio Vásquez is an artist of striking presence and vocal richness, bringing both dramatic conviction and lyrical finesse to the operatic stage. A current student in the Curtis Institute of Music opera program and the William J. Fenza Fellow, Vásquez is quickly establishing himself as a versatile and compelling performer. 

This season, he joins Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as a Gerdine Young Artist, covering the role of Dr. Malatesta in Don Pasquale, and appears at the Ravinia Festival as a Steans Vocal Fellow. A recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, he has already performed an impressive range of roles, including Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas), Jupiter (Orpheus in the Underworld), Marco (Gianni Schicchi), and Schaunard (La bohème). 

Vásquez has participated in masterclasses with leading artists such as Jake Heggie, Lawrence Brownlee, Ana María Martínez, and Michael Heaston, experiences that have shaped his nuanced approach to character and vocal color. His artistry reflects both technical command and a deep commitment to storytelling. 

For more information, visit https://www.curtis.edu/person/emilio-vasquez/?ct=1782748333687.