Susannah

Lauded for her “brilliant voice,” Monica Niemi has performed operatic, concert, and musical theatre repertoire across the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. In 2024, Monica was seen as Lady Macbeth with Shakespeare Opera Theatre. Monica originated the role of Anna Milder in the award-winning, world premiere production of Beethoven’s Wrong Note. In 2023, Monica was a soloist on Marshall Opera’s first Oral History Project concert in New York City, performing from Louis Karchin’s opera Jane Eyre. Monica has sung the roles of Mrs. Gobineau (The Medium) at the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice and the title role in Ariadne auf Naxos with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble. Monica’s musical theatre background includes multiple roles with the Missoula Children’s Theatre National and International Tours. When not singing, Monica enjoys hiking and the serious consideration of adopting every cat she comes across. Monica studies with internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Victoria Livengood.

Kristine Overman is an American French soprano who was most recently seen on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York competing in the 2026 national semifinal round of the Laffont Competition. This summer, she’s excited to make two role debuts, first as Gilda in Rigoletto with Heartland Opera, and then with Shakespeare Opera Theatre as the title role in Susannah. Kristine enjoys spending time in her Kansas City home, which she shares with her partner, tenor Nico Caruso (who plays Sam in this production!)

James Myers, baritone, is pleased to appear as Olin Blitch in Susannah. He has performed with Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap Opera, and Washington Concert Opera. Recent roles include Abimelech in Samson et Dalila, Count di Luna in Il trovatore, and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte. This past season, he also appeared as Usher in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury and as Dr. Falke in the Act II finale of Die Fledermaus. His repertoire encompasses Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, French opera, and contemporary works. Visit his website here.

Kansas City native Nico Caruso is excited to be singing lead roles with Shakespeare Opera Theatre in both Susannah and Tartuffe. Nico recently graduated with his Master’s in Opera Theatre from the University of South Carolina where he studied with tenor Dominic Armstrong. Nico earned his Bachelor’s Degree of Music Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Nico stays involved in the operatic, musical theatre, and choral scenes both in and out of Kansas City and has performed lead roles in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, and She Loves Me by Bock & Harnick. In addition to singing tenor in the chorus of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Nico also sings in a number of professionally recorded choral ensembles.

Kurt Lannetti, tenor, is from Norfolk, Va and recently graduated with his Master’s Degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He received his bachelor of music from James Madison University in 2023. He has recently performed as Strephon in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe, Liberto in Monteverdi’s L’incorranozione di Poppea, Sellem in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, Toby in Menotti’s The Medium, Paolino in Il Matrimonio Segreto, Monostatos in the LAH-SOW production of Die Zauberflöte, and most recently he performed as the Chevalier de la Force in UTK’s production of Dialogues des Carmélites.

Antony Zwerdling is an active performer in the greater Washington area. He has performed many roles, including Papageno in The Magic Flute, Schaunard in La Bohème, and Figaro in The Barber of Seville. His credits include WNO, Wolf Trap, Washington Concert Opera, and Opera Lafayette. He performed previously with SOT as Peter in Hansel and Gretel.

As an Oratorio soloist, Zwerdling’s repertoire includes Messiah, the requiems of Brahms, Mozart, Duruflé, and Fauré, and St. Matthew Passion. He has sung with Washington Bach Consort, Thomas Circle Singers, and Handel & Haydn Society. He has also presented several recitals, both of classical repertoire and as a singer-songwriter.

Zwerdling received his Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, Master’s from Boston University, and Doctorate from Shenandoah Conservatory, writing about songs of Samuel Barber. He teaches on the voice faculty at Hood College and College of Southern Maryland in addition to maintaining a private studio.

Tenor JP Paul started singing professionally at the age of 8, singing with the Paducah Symphony Children’s Chorus and then the Western Kentucky Choral Ambassadors until graduating high school. He received a Master of Music in Classical Voice Performance from the University of Memphis. He sang with several young artist programs before starting a career in philanthropy (most recently joining the Primary Collaborative in November 2025). He is frequent soloist in Hampton Roads and Virginia, and recent operatic roles include “Man in Crowd” (Loving v. Virginia), Mayor Upfold (Albert Herring), and Beppe (Pagliacci), and others. Concert and recital credits include Rossini’s Petite messe sollenelle, Handel's Messiah, Haydn’s Missa in angustiis (Lord Nelson Mass), Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music, and many more. He is a member of the Virginia Chorale’s ongoing roster, was a part of Virginia Opera’s chorus from 2023 to 2025.

John Knox (Elder Gleaton). This is John’s third performance with SOT. He previously appeared in the chorus of SOT's Amahl and the Night Visitors. John performed in stage musicals Oklahoma, South Pacific, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, and as King Pellinore in Camelot. John also sang in the United States Coast Guard Academy Men’s Glee Club, The Alexandria Singers, and St David’s Choir. John is a blues harmonica player and avid bicyclist. John served in the Coast Guard for 25 years and is semi-retired in Northern Virginia with his wife, Karen.

Prized for his strong bass voice, Mr. Allen has performed with SOT since 2018, portraying Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet (2019 and 2025), King Duncan and Old Siward in Macbeth (2024), Lodovico in Othello (2022), King Claudius in Hamlet (2020), and covering Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors (2018 and 2022). Since 2020, he has served as an Executive Producer with SOT. Gene is retired and lives in Ashburn, Virginia.

Emily Rich is a professional Mezzo-Soprano based in Norwalk, CT. Her voice has been described as rich, plummy, healthy, full, creamy and thrilling. From a young age, Emily’s passion has been to sing, perform and to entertain. Emily Rich has performed with Cedar Rapids Opera, Sarasota Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, the Land of Enchantment Opera Institute, Opera Breve, the Bologna International Opera Institute, and the Vann Vocal Institute. She received her Master of Music in Voice Performance from Indiana University’s Jacob’s School of Music and her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Emily recently made her debut as Lola in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana with Sotto Voce Opera in March of 2026 and is looking forward to singing Elmire and Mrs. McLean in Shakespeare Opera Theatre’s productions of Tartuffe and Susannah this summer.

Mezzo-soprano Lily Scalisi is a Louisiana native who holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has appeared with the Louisiana State University Turner-Fischer Center for Opera and CCM Opera, performing and covering roles such as Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Suor Zelatrice in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Ruth in Nico Muhly’s contemporary opera Dark Sisters. She has also performed with Cincinnati Opera, including appearances in Liverpool Oratorio and the company’s Opera Fusion: New Works program. An avid concert artist, Lily has been featured as the alto soloist in Bach’s Christ lag in Todesbanden with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, the mezzo-soprano soloist in Duruflé’s Requiem with the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus, and the mezzo-soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Collegium Cincinnati. She is deeply passionate about creating art, specifically in the forms of opera and choral music.

Eliana Berrean has been singing since age 9. She performed all over her hometown of Brevard county Florida in fundraisers, concerts, benefits, and the occasional baseball game. She started auditioning for musicals in her local community theater, where she fell in love with performing. She’s studied/worked under some of the greats in the field including Diana Soviero, Ruth Falcon, Beth Roberts, and Nadine Sierra. She has her bachelor degree in opera from Mannes School of Music in NYC. She’s also sung in many concerts/operas in programs around the US, France, and Italy. Some of her favorite roles have been Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, and Stephano in Romeo and Juliette. Eliana aspires to sing opera all around the world, and be a part of the continuation of the art form.

Emily Warren, mezzo-soprano, is a versatile vocalist and actress whose repertoire spans from early music through contemporary works. Notable performance credits include Stephano in Roméo et Juliette, Sesto in Giulio Cesare, and most recently, Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro. In 2025, she appeared as the Nursing Sister in Suor Angelica and as alto soloist in Lina Braghetta-Piozzi’s Missa Sanctae Heracleae with Valkyrie Ensemble, and sang the title role in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe with Great Lakes Operetta. Ms. Warren has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Utah Valley Operafest, and as part of the American Handel Festival. An accomplished performer of new music, she has premiered opera and art song with New Voices Opera and has sung as a member of the contemporary vocal ensemble NOTUS. She received her Master of Music and Performer’s Diploma from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Holly Breivik (soprano) is delighted to make her debut with Shakespeare Opera Theatre this summer! Holly has appeared as Meg in Verdi’s Falstaff and as a soloist in Handel’s Acis and Galatea, performing the latter in Spain and Portugal in October 2024. A seasoned soloist, she has sung with numerous choirs throughout Virginia and Texas and performed with The Washington Chorus. Holly holds an MM in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah University, where she studied with Lori Sen and David Meyer. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Mary Washington with Kathy Ahearn and now teaches voice there. Additional teachers include Kerry Wilkerson and Daniel Talamantes. Outside the opera world, Holly performs with the folk group Celtic Machinations and recently embraced her inner chaos as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. She is based in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Holly Breivik (soprano) is delighted to make her debut with Shakespeare Opera Theatre this summer! Holly has appeared as Meg in Verdi’s Falstaff and as a soloist in Handel’s Acis and Galatea, performing the latter in Spain and Portugal in October 2024. A seasoned soloist, she has sung with numerous choirs throughout Virginia and Texas and performed with The Washington Chorus. Holly holds an MM in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah University, where she studied with Lori Sen and David Meyer. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Mary Washington with Kathy Ahearn and now teaches voice there. Additional teachers include Kerry Wilkerson and Daniel Talamantes. Outside the opera world, Holly performs with the folk group Celtic Machinations and recently embraced her inner chaos as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. She is based in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Mezzo-soprano Lily Scalisi is a Louisiana native who holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has appeared with the Louisiana State University Turner-Fischer Center for Opera and CCM Opera, performing and covering roles such as Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Suor Zelatrice in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Ruth in Nico Muhly’s contemporary opera Dark Sisters. She has also performed with Cincinnati Opera, including appearances in Liverpool Oratorio and the company’s Opera Fusion: New Works program. An avid concert artist, Lily has been featured as the alto soloist in Bach’s Christ lag in Todesbanden with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, the mezzo-soprano soloist in Duruflé’s Requiem with the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus, and the mezzo-soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Collegium Cincinnati. She is deeply passionate about creating art, specifically in the forms of opera and choral music.

Tenor JP Paul started singing professionally at the age of 8, singing with the Paducah Symphony Children’s Chorus and then the Western Kentucky Choral Ambassadors until graduating high school. He received a Master of Music in Classical Voice Performance from the University of Memphis. He sang with several young artist programs before starting a career in philanthropy (most recently joining the Primary Collaborative in November 2025). He is frequent soloist in Hampton Roads and Virginia, and recent operatic roles include “Man in Crowd” (Loving v. Virginia), Mayor Upfold (Albert Herring), and Beppe (Pagliacci), and others. Concert and recital credits include Rossini’s Petite messe sollenelle, Handel's Messiah, Haydn’s Missa in angustiis (Lord Nelson Mass), Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music, and many more. He is a member of the Virginia Chorale’s ongoing roster, was a part of Virginia Opera’s chorus from 2023 to 2025.

"Radiant in voice and striking in stage presence" (The Washington Post) Verdi soprano Lori Lind has won top prizes and career grants from The Annapolis Opera, Violetta DuPont, Albanese-Puccini, Liederkranz, Gerda Lissner, Schuyler-Bender and Tucker Foundations. She has been lauded as "riveting" (Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte - The Cleveland Plain Dealer), "astonishing" (Aida - The Houston Chronicle) and "dazzling…impress(ing) mightily..." (Violetta in La Traviata - Raleigh News Observer). More recently, her theatrical and musical arrangements, stage directing, and conducting have also been highly praised. Dr. Lind serves as Organist and Choirmaster at St. Thomas Epsicopal Church in McLean, Virginia, whose congregation graciously hosts Shakespeare Opera Theatre. She also maintains a private voice and music studio, judges competitions, and gives master classes throughout the region. She founded Shakespeare Opera Theatre in 2015 and has served as Managing Director ever since. A native Floridian, she now lives in Haymarket, Virginia with her dogs, Quimby and Ted, where they love enjoying the four seasons of the Mid-Atlantic together.

Andrew Kraus, lauded by Elke Walters in the Fankische Andezeiting writing that “Kraus proved to be like a sensitive piano whisperer with his highly sensitive interpretive art”, is delighted to work with Dr. Lind and the wonderfully talented, skilled and committed cast and crew, as Musical Director for this seasons’ performances of Shakespeare Opera Theatres production of Romeo and Juliet. Previously on the faculties at James Madison University, Meredith College and University of Mary Washington, Kraus now freelances around DMV. In addition to regular concert performances, Kraus is known for his #Respite recordings. He teaches and coaches in person and over the internet at his Rockville studio, where as collaborator, he has a long history of helping aspiring artists produce award winning results. He lives in Rockville with his wife, Christine and his comfort animal, Max, a 114 pound Great Pyrenees mix.

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