Hannah Sharene Penn - Diana

Mezzo soprano

Mezzo-soprano Hannah Sharene Penn enjoys a diverse career as a performer of recital literature, oratorio, and opera. She has performed numerous operatic roles through Florida Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, New England Conservatory, and Indiana University. As an oratorio soloist, Ms. Penn’s performances include the Verdi Requiem, the Bach St. Matthew Passion, the Messiah, and Mahler’s 2nd Symphony. She has performed frequently with Miami’s Master Chorale of South Florida, most recently as mezzo-soprano soloist in Mozart’s C Minor Mass.

A lover of new music, Ms. Penn performed in the American premiere tours of John Adam's El Nino and Sven-David Sandstrom's High Mass. She was closely involved with the composition department during her six years at Indiana University, and frequently performed songs composed for her. As a recitalist, Ms. Penn has participated in the Steans Institute’s Vocal Chamber Music program, where she performed works by Jake Heggie under the composer’s direction.

Ms. Penn studied German Lied for three years with renowned collaborative pianist Leonard Hokanson, and has participated in a staged recital of Hugo Wolf's Italienisches Liederbuch under the direction of the great lieder singer Hakan Hagegård. Ms. Penn recently participated in a masterclass on Schubert Lieder given by James Levine at Carnegie Hall. Ms. Penn has studied with the distinguished pedagogues Patricia Misslin, Dale Moore and Patricia Stiles, and has taught voice at both Indiana University and New England Conservatory.

In the 2006 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Ms. Penn was a finalist in the Boston District. During the 2006/07 season at Florida Grand Opera, she sang the role of Teresa in La Sonnambula and covered the role of Betsy in the world premiere of David Carlson’s Anna Karenina.

In the 2007/08 season, Ms. Penn joined Portland Opera’s young artist program, performing both the role of Mercedes and the title role in Carmen, the role of Tisbe in La Cenerentola, and the role of Nancy in Albert Herring. Ms. Penn also sang Respighi’s Il Tramonto in the POSA Spring Recital.