A passionate interpreter of opera, concert repertoire, and song, soprano Sara Gartland has firmly established herself as an Artist to watch displaying a talent for dramatic storytelling and comedy. Highlights of her 23/24 season include her European debuts with Semperoper Dresden and Oldenburgisches Staatstheater in Die tote Stadt (Marie/Marietta), Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera in Don Giovanni (Donna Elvira), and a return to Des Moines Metro Opera for her first performances of the titular role in Strauss’ iconic Salome in a new production conducted by David Neely and directed by Nathan Troupe. Last season saw debuts at Pittsburgh Opera in Rusalka (title role), Opera San Antonio in Pagliacci (Nedda), Minnesota Opera in Don Giovanni (Donna Elvira), and a return to DMMO for Bluebeard’s Castle (Judith). Future engagements include debuts with The Atlanta Opera and Calgary Opera and a return to The Dallas Opera in leading roles.
In the 21/22 season, Sara created the role of Rose in the world premiere production of A Thousand Acres with libretto by Kristin Kuster and Mark Campbell for the 50th Anniversary season at the Des Moines Metro Opera, where she has also been seen in the title roles of Rusalka and Jenůfa, Wozzeck (Marie), Queen of Spades (Liza), Roméo et Juliette (Juliette), and Regina (Alexandra).
Additional performance credits include in La bohème (Musetta) and Carmen (Micaëla) with The Dallas Opera, Die Fledermaus (Rosalinde), La traviata (Violetta), Of Mice and Men (Curley’s Wife), and Regina (Alexandra) with Utah Opera; Rusalka and HMS Pinafore (Josephine) with Arizona Opera; Fidelio with Opera Omaha (Marzelline¬); Hansel and Gretel (Gretel) with Opera San Jose; L’elisir d’amore (Adina) with Austin Lyric Opera; Hänsel und Gretel (Gretel) with San Diego Opera; and Beethoven’s Mass in C Major with the Jacksonville Symphony.
Ms. Gartland is a graduate of the prestigious Adler Fellowship Program at San Francisco Opera where she was seen in numerous productions including in Carmen (Micaëla), the world premiere of Christopher Theofandis’ Heart of a Soldier (Pat/Ann), Die Walküre (Gerhilde), Madama Butterfly (Kate Pinkerton), and Le nozze di Figaro (Barbarina), which was her San Francisco Opera main stage debut. Prior to becoming an Adler, Sara participated in the Merola Opera Program and was seen in L’amico Fritz (Suzel).