2023 Festival Soloists

Soprano – Julianne Davis

Julianne Davis has been hailed as “a performer with great radiance,” an “astounding, resoundingly fine” soprano. A resident of Longmont, Colorado, she has appeared with the Boulder Chorale in Brahms’ masterpiece, Ein Deutsches Requiem, and the Boulder Symphony’s performance of Dvorak’s Stabat Mater. Complete Bio.

Mezzo-Soprano – JoAna Rusche

JoAna Rusche, mezzo-soprano, has been praised by Opera News for being “notably sweet-voiced.” She is an alumna of the Academy of Vocal Arts, where she performed the roles of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Fiora in L’amore dei tre re, Tamara in The Demon, and the Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte.  Complete Bio

Tenor – Gene Stenger

Hailed as an “impressive tenor” (The New York Times) who sings with “sweet vibrancy” (The Cleveland Plain Dealer), Gene Stenger is one of the country’s most called upon Bach specialists who is also heralded for his performances of oratorios by Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Mozart. Complete Bio.

Bass – Nicholas Skotzko

Nicholas Skotzko, a baritone from Vienna, Virginia has been described as “mellifluous” and “smooth” in his singing by the South Florida Classical Review. Skotzko started his musical training while living overseas with his parents, and later attended the Washington National Opera Institute in 2015. Complete bio.

Bach Baritone – Leslie John Flanagan

Australian baritone Leslie John Flanagan has performed leading roles throughout Australia, Europe and the USA, including performances at the Sydney Opera House, in London at English National Opera’s Coliseum, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Janacek Theatre in Brno and at the Edinburgh Festival. Complete bio.