Biography
Mezzo-soprano Katherine Pracht has established herself as a leading opera-singing actress, performing with prominent companies such as Virginia Opera, Central City Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Opera Philadelphia, Florentine Opera, Madison Opera, West Edge Opera, and Opera on the Avalon (Newfoundland). She has collaborated with esteemed conductors and directors, including Leon Botstein, Kevin Newbury, Adam Turner, Danny Pelzig, Rob Ainsley, Paula Suozzi, Patrick Hansen, John DeMain, and Corrado Rovaris.
Pracht's repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary American opera, with a focus on new works. She has sung over 30 roles composed after 1945, including the 2023 world premiere of Laura Kaminsky's and Lisa Moore’s February. Other notable contemporary highlights include Kevin Puts’ and Campbell's Elizabeth Cree, Jake Heggie's and Scheer's Three Decembers; Mary Johnson in Spears' and Pierce's Fellow Travelers, Anna Maurrant in Weill's and Hughes' Street Scene, Lady Wang in Sheng's Dream of the Red Chamber, Sharon Falconer in Aldridge's and Garfein's Elmer Gantry, Adamo's Little Women, Britten's The Turn of the Screwand Owen Wingrave, and Sondheim's A Little Night Music.
Ms. Pracht participated in numerous workshops for new operas, including Nu Nah-Hup, The Road to Wellville, Bulrusher, A Thousand Splendid Suns, We Shall Not be Moved, The News From Poems, The Scarlet Professor, and Rev 23. Additional world premiere performances include Joseph Summer's Hamlet and The Tempest, Kirke Mechem's The Rivals, and Christopher Dietz's Dignity. As a concert soloist, she has premiered works by John Tavener, Karl Jenkins, and Richard Wernick with renowned ensembles.
Ms. Pracht joined Bowling Green State University as an Assistant Professor of Voice in 2023. She is proud to help train the next generation of young singing actors in their craft.