B i o g r a p h y
Praised for her "lively personality, abundant charm, and luscious vocalism" and "crystalline voice," soprano Erica Schuller is a versatile performer, recognized for bringing committed vocal artistry and theatricality to a broad musical repertory. Her particular affinity for Baroque repertoire has brought her increasing attention from some of the country's finest Early Music ensembles.
This season brings debut performances with Chicago's renowned Newberry Consort and instrumental ensemble Incantare. In addition, she will perform the title role in Monteverdi's famed L'incoronazione di Poppea with Haymarket Opera Company, and appear in concert performances with Apollo's Fire, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ars Lyrica Houston.
Last season, Ms. Schuller worked closely with the Haymarket Opera Company of Chicago to record two professionally filmed productions. In June 2021 she performed the role of Dafne in G.F. Handel's famous cantata Apollo e Dafne. She was praised for her "bright, clear soprano and clear, flexible vocalism" by Chicago Classical Review. Then in October 2021 she took on the role of Dorinda in G. F. Handel's Orlando, with Bejun Mehta in the title role. The production was released September 2021. Ms. Schuller also appeared as a featured soloist with Apollo's Fire on a summer festival tour of the Chautauqua, Caramoor and Ravinia Music Festivals. The Chautauquan Daily wrote, "Twice, soprano Erica Schuller bewitched the Amphitheater with his (Monteverdi's) music, conjuring with dulcet tone and poignant, shapely phrasing the onset of spring (Zefiro torna) and pure regret (Ohimé, ch'io cado)." December 2021 she returned to Cleveland as the soprano soloist in concerts of Handel's Messiah under the baton of renowned conductor Nic McGegan. Seen and Heard International Review praised Schuller for her "colorful and caressing" singing.
Other recent projects of note include performances with Apollo's Fire, The Boston Early Music Festival, Odyssey Opera Boston, Third Coast Baroque, and Theater Comique of San Francisco.
Additional past performances include the roles of Oriana in Handel's Amadigi di Gaula, Vespetta in Telemann's Pimpinone and Atalanta in Handel's Serse, all with The Haymarket Opera Company; Livietta in Pergolesi’s Livietta e Tracollo with the Boston Early Music Festival; Marzelline in Beethoven’s Fidelio and Soprano 2 in Glass’s Hydrogen Jukebox with Skylight Music Theater; she created the roles of Joan Strasinsky and The Princess for the world premiere of The Snow Dragon, by award winning novelist and composer Somtow Sucharitkul; Elvira in Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri and Second Woman in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas with The Florentine Opera Company.
As a concert soloist, Ms. Schuller has appeared with Apollo's Fire, Ars Lyrica Houston, New Trinity Baroque, Great Lakes Baroque, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Bach Choir, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Second City Musick and Bella Voce.
In addition to her work on the stage, Ms. Schuller can be heard as the voice Jeannette in Haymarket Opera Company's recent release of Joseph Bologne's L'Amant Anonyme, produced by Cedille Records. Other discograpghy credits include Marte in Duron’s Salir el Amor del Mundo, recorded for Dorian Record Label with Richard Savino and El Mundo, and in the Boston Early Music Festival's Grammy-nominated recording of Lully’s opera Psyché.
Originally from Wisconsin, Ms. Schuller received her Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and holds degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from the Eastman School of Music. She currently lives and teaches in Chicago, where she founded the Cantabile School for Voice and Piano. She is also an instructor of voice with the University of Chicago.