Biography

Cara Collins

Praised for her “sweet and seductive” tones of her voice, soprano Cara Collins is known for her passionate portrayals of characters on stage. One of her most notable performances at the internationally acclaimed Merola Opera Program (San Francisco, California), was Brittomara, the shape shifting and seductive devil, in the world premiere of If I Were You by American composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. She received acclaim for her "power and dark hued radiance, and her patter aria in disguise as a ditsy hairdresser" by Opera News.

In the 2022-2023 season, Collins covered the role of Giovanna in “Ernani” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and sang in the esteemed chorus under Chorus Master Michael Black in productions of “Ernani,” “Le comte Ory,” “Don Carlos,” and “Carmen.” She portrayed Zweite Dame in “Die Zauberflöte” at the Northern Lights Music Festival and was a soloist in the Amarillo Opera Gala Concert conducted by Jorge Parodi.

In 2021, Collins made her company debut at Opera Naples as Flora in “La Traviata.” She also appeared as Tisbe in “La Cenerentola” at the Northern Lights Music Festival, Mutter in “Hänsel und Gretel” at Amarillo Opera, and served as the Alto soloist in Handel’s “Messiah” with the Amarillo Symphony conducted by Peter Bay.

During the 2019-2020 season, Collins debuted at Sarasota Opera as Dritte Dame in “Die Zauberflöte”, and attended the esteemed Merola Opera Program where she premiered Brittomara in If I Were You. Other performances included Prince Orlofsky at Amarillo Opera and Witch and Mother in “Hansel and Gretel” at Palm Beach Opera. During her time at Palm Beach Opera as a Benenson Young Artist, she covered the roles of Berta in “Il Barbiere Di Siviglia” and Filipievna in “Eugene Onegin” (canceled due to COVID-19).

Collins began her career at Opera North during the 2017-2018 season, where she covered the roles of Suzuki in “Madama Butterfly,” Berta in Il Barbiere Di Siviglia, where she received acclaim for her “hilarious romp as Bartolo’s housekeeper Berta” by the Rutland Herald, and The Voice and Nicklaus (cover) in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” To close her season, Cara made her debut at Opera on the James as Dinah in  Trouble in Tahiti.

In addition to her stage performances, Collins has also been recognized in opera competitions. She was awarded District Winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2021 and received an Encouragement Award in the Met Regionals. In 2018, she earned an Encouragement/Audience Favorite Award at The New York International Vocal Competition. Collins holds a Bachelor of Music degree from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music. Other training includes young artist programs with The Merola Opera Program, Palm Beach Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera on the James, and Opera North.