BIOGRAPHY
Natasha Novitskaia is an accomplished American dramatic mezzo-soprano known for her powerful and lush voice. With a career marked by versatility and emotive performances, Natasha has firmly established herself as a true Verdian mezzo, excelling in a diverse range of roles. She got an outstanding review from the Merker online in the spring of 2023. "Natasha Novitskaia, who has a powerful and lushly dramatic mezzo voice, sang the arias "Re dell'abisso, affrettati" and "Acerba voluttà" with great emotion, reminiscent of the dramatic mezzo singers of the past. Her powerful voice floated through both the Aida and La Gioconda duets. " " All the singers of the concert, mezzo Natasha Novitskaia..., presented top-class singing level of the difficult Italian opera repertoire, each with a dramatic interpretation of the characters. "
Natasha performed in a concert on October 21, 2023, with the North Czech Philharmonic at Smetana Hall in Prague, titled 'From the New World.' In this concert, she presented arias from 'Samson et Dalila,' 'Cavalleria Rusticana,' and 'Carmen.'
At the end of September, Natasha Novitskaia participated in the 'Batumian Rhapsody' festival in Batumi, Georgia, where she showcased her talent at a concert with an orchestra from the Yerevan Opera Theater.
In honor of the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Natasha presented a concert titled 'Spring Water' in Vienna during the spring of 2023. The performance also featured conductor Sergey Neller and soprano Alla Perchikova, creating a memorable celebration of Rachmaninoff's legacy.
Her recent performance at Ehrbar Saal in Vienna on April 6th, 2023, received an outstanding review from Merker Online. The review highlighted Natasha's emotional rendition of arias such as "Re dell'abisso, affrettati" and "Acerba voluttà," noting her reminiscent style of dramatic mezzo singers of the past. The performance of duets from "Aida" and "La Gioconda" showcased the impressive singing level and dramatic interpretation of the character.
In 2020, Natasha was scheduled to perform as the mezzo soloist in Beethoven's 9th Symphony twice: first at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center, New York City, in May, and later at the Cesky Krumlov International Music Festival in the Czech Republic in August. Unfortunately, both concerts were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic." Natasha is awaiting confirmation to appear as the mezzo soloist in Beethoven's 9th Symphony at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center, New York City, in the upcoming season.
In the summer of 2022, Natasha participated in an opera gala concert at Teatro Minicipal & Teatro Teresa Carreño. The concert, conducted by Rubén Capriles, the music director of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Venezuela, featured Natasha as the sole singer. She delivered an impressive program, including several substantial arias and songs. In the upcoming season, Natasha will be featured in the role of Santuzza in Pietro Mascagni's opera 'Cavalleria Rusticana'.
Her career trajectory has seen her transition from a spinto soprano to a dramatic mezzo-soprano, establishing herself as a true Verdian mezzo. Natasha has excelled in various roles, including Amneris, Azucena, Santuzza, Dalila, Ulrica, Princess de Bouillon, and significant Russian mezzo roles, as well as Wagnerian roles like Erda, Fricka. Her versatility is evident in her repertoire, ranging from French arias and Russian songs to Italian arias and Wagnerian works.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Natasha has maintained a presence in the opera scene, participating in concerts and galas, showcasing her commanding and expressive mezzo voice. During the 2021/22 season, Natasha performed in three concerts: 'Music is Back - The Concert of French Arias and Russian Songs,' 'Dueling Divas: An Evening of Famous Opera Arias and Duets' featuring works by Wagner, Verdi, Mascagni, and Cilea in New York City, and a private concert of Italian arias hosted by the Villages Opera Society in Florida.
In 2020, Natasha showcased her artistry as a leading soloist in three concerts in New York City. The performances included a symphonic opera gala 'Opera Gems: The Art of Dramatic Singing' in February, featuring internationally renowned soloists, 'In Memory of Francisco' in December, and the gala 'VivaVerdi' in March at the Opera America/National Opera Center. Critics praised Ms. Novitskaia for her powerful mezzo instrument, noting a suspenseful aura in her performances, and highlighting her contralto-like quality in the lower register. One review from Voce di Meche particularly commended her commanding and devious portrayal of Amneris in a duet. “Ms. Novitskaia uses the texture of her powerful mezzo instrument to create an aura of suspense and we loved the final “silencio”…and in the lower register she has a certain contralto-like quality. She was a Commanding and devious Amneris in her duet with Amneris!” (Voce di Meche).
In the fall of 2020, Natasha was scheduled to sing Santuzza in 'Cavalleria Rusticana' with the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera in a gala concert featuring orchestra and chorus. Unfortunately, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Natasha Novitskaia has previously performed with the same company in the role of Zita in Gianni Schicchi by Puccini.
In August 2018, Natasha Novitskaia delivered a highly successful performance at the Mythos Festival in Taormina, where she portrayed Amneris at Teatro Greco. She earned this opportunity after being selected as a winner of their competition in Rome, Italy. Reviewers praised her as 'Il mezzosoprano russo Natasha Novitskaia fu una ottima Amneris, dalla voce trasparente e decisa, senza tentennamenti' (Globus Magazine, Italy), translated as 'The Russian mezzo-soprano Natasha Novitskaia was an excellent Amneris, with a transparent and decisive voice, without hesitation.' In addition to her compelling performance as Amneris at the opening night of 'Aida’ in Taormina in 2018, Natasha Novitskaia showcased her versatility by singing arias in the festival's Mascagni Gala, conducted by Alberto Veronese. Furthermore, Natasha Novitskaia was prominently featured in the Closing Night Gala of the Festival, conducted by American conductor Everett McCorvey.
In April 2019, Natasha was awarded the Second Prize at the Barry Alexander International Vocal Competition. This recognition followed her return to Carnegie Zankel Hall, where she performed in a Gala concert singing Carmen.
In April 2017, Natasha made a notable return to Carnegie Zankel Hall as a featured guest artist in an opera gala dedicated to honoring the great Italian tenor, Giuseppe Giacomini.
In the fall of 2017, Natasha Novitskaia was a finalist in the Altamura Caruso International Voice Competition in New York City. Her diverse repertoire includes notable roles such as Fricka (Die Walküre), Witch (Hansel and Gretel), and Carmen with the New York Opera Forum, as well as Azucena with One World Symphony in New York City and at St. Thomas Aquinas in Brooklyn. In 2015, she portrayed Principessa in 'Suor Angelica' at the Tuscia Opera Festival in Cordona, Italy.
In 2016, Natasha received a standing ovation for her portrayal of Azucena in a concert performance of 'Il Trovatore' at the Liederkranz Foundation. This achievement followed her solo performance with the Mercury Orchestra in Prokofiev’s 'Alexander Nevsky' for mezzo, chorus, and orchestra. In 2015, she made her European solo recital debut in Berlin, singing Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Sviridov with pianist and conductor Sergey Neller.
With a career marked by accolades, Natasha Novitskaia continues to enchant audiences with her powerful and expressive mezzo-soprano voice.