Karen Kanakis – MIA Artists Management

Karen Kanakis
Soprano

Personal Website

Soprano Karen Kanakis is hailed for her fine vocal technique and dramatic flair. Her bright-timbered, powerful voice conveys rich emotion, displays brilliant agility, and soars to a thrilling high extension, making her ideal in both the bel canto repertoire and that of the Italian spinto soprano. Critics have called her singing “strong and smoothly superb,” “drop-dead gorgeous,” and “engaging,” and said she “lights up the stage… timing and expressions were priceless,” and “her voice and her stage presence are a delight.” Of her role debut as Minnie in La Fanciulla del West, critics said “her powerful voice easily penetrates the incredible wall of sound generated by the orchestra.”

Recent performances have included Alice Ford in Falstaff, both with Salt Marsh Opera and Union Avenue Opera, and a role debut as Magda in Puccini’s La Rondine with Winter Opera Saint Louis. Her portrayal of Magda earned her a second nomination for “Outstanding Achievement in Opera” from the St. Louis Theatre Circle, having previously been nominated in 2020 for her turn as Minnie in La Fanciulla del West.

In previous seasons, she has performed Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte, the title role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, all with Winter Opera Saint Louis. Additional operatic credits include Giorgetta in Il tabarro, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, and Violetta in La traviata.

Ms. Kanakis has been a featured soloist with symphony organizations performing the Verdi Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Brahms’ Ein Deutches Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Handel’s Messiah, both the Mozart and Fauré Requiem, and Orff’s Carmina Burana. She is a frequently sought-after solo recitalist and made her Carnegie Hall debut in the Weill Recital Hall performing a joint program with her husband, baritone Jacob Lassetter.

A regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Auditions, Ms. Kanakis performed as an Apprentice Artist with both the Des Moines Metro Opera and the Utah Festival Opera Company. She received her DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas and currently resides in St. Louis, MO.

“Karen Kanakis is captivating as Magda, with a silky smooth soprano that’s delicate through control, not lack of power. Her performance is similarly expressive. Instead of forced or caricatured, an easy choice for the lighthearted if ultimately heartbreaking opera, Kanakis gives us a fluid and completely integrated performance.”

Riverfront Times

"Falstaff’s nemesis is Alice Ford, whose sharp wit punctures the absurd schemes of both her husband and Falstaff. Lighting up the role here is soprano Karen Kanakis, whose effulgent voice and impeccable acting have enlivened many roles at both UAO and Winter Opera. Her Alice is all quicksilver wit and irresistible charm."

KDHX

"Karen Kanakis, who in recent seasons sang central roles in Winter Opera's Fanciulla del West and Suor Angelica, does spot-on perfect work as Mrs. Alice Ford. She's tall and lovely. She has the glamour, grace and carriage of a diva, a voice that just shines, and a delightful comic sense."

BroadwayWorld

"Soprano Karen Kanakis as Minnie handled the expressive swings the part demands with skill and grace; in the second act she reveals to Johnson her vulnerabilities with vocal charisma, yet by the end of the scene after she beats Sheriff Rance in the ultra- high stakes card game, her powerful voice renders the emotional growth of her character, easily penetrating the incredible wall of sound generated by the orchestra."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"From her first notes, Kanakis sang with deft poise, her voice well-suited to the emotional demands of Angelica's plight. She performed the ethereal "Senza mamma" with deep pathos, revealing the excruciating beauty in Puccini's music."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch