Spotlight: Soprano Soloist Elaine Crane

Guest Artist Elaine Crane
soprano

Elaine Crane has been hailed by critics as “brilliant”, “…a charming actress”, “…a beautiful voice and a very fine comic actor.” She has performed with many respected  opera and theatre companies, both regionally and nationally.

Gilbert and Sullivan operas are a particular favorite, and “… Crane’s voice and demeanor (are) perfect G&S heroine material…” in roles such as Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Josephine Corcoran (H.M.S. Pinafore), Elsie Maynard (Yeomen of the Guard) and Yum-Yum (The Mikado). Personal highlights of Elaine’s many stage roles include performing the role of Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof opposite Tony-nominated stage and screen personality Eddie Mekka, and creating the role of Squaw Sachem in the original musical Song on the Wind by Concord, MA composer David MacAdam, and being featured on the original cast recording, as well as the cast recording of Ebenezer Scrooge: A Christmas Carol by the same composer.

Elaine's recent accolades are winning the 2013 DASH Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Maria in Concord Players' Sound of Music, which also won the award for Best Musical Production) as well as being nominated for the award again in 2015 (Lilli/Kate in CP's Kiss Me Kate, which also won the award for Best Musical Production).

Equally at home on the recital stage, Elaine's voice and stage presence have been described by critics as "sparkling", "exquisite", and "absolutely radiant". As recitalist and oratorio singer, Elaine has been a featured soprano soloist with such groups as the Worcester Chorus, Salisbury Singers, Great Waters Music Festival, Maplewind Arts, and Valley Light Opera. “Her voice soars…” in such works as the Requiems of Mozart and Brahms, Vaughan Williams’ Benedicite, Handel’s Messiah and Beethoven’s Mass in C. Her versatility in concert and recital work spans from opera, oratorio and art song to the lyrical music of Broadway, and Elaine frequently performs a wide variety of sacred and secular concert repertoire throughout the New England area. In a more intimate setting, she also performs for weddings, funerals and other church functions and sacred events. In 2016 Elaine made her debut on NPR as a featured soloist on Says You!

Elaine is a cum laude graduate of the Boston Conservatory, where she studied opera and vocal performance. She is the founder and executive director of Greater Worcester Opera, an organization dedicated to opera performance and education, with whom she currently performs in their touring operas for children. She is also a board member of the New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society (NEGASS). Offstage, Elaine is a stage and musical director, producer, costumer and educator. On a personal note, she resides in Central Massachusetts with her husband and 5 children.

fmi: http://www.elainecrane.com/