The dark eyed beauty of Grace Valdes, Cuban-American soprano is matched by the warmth and opulence of her sound.  This is the rich, full voice of a budding Wagnerian and yet supple enough for a possible Donna Anna in 2011.

Ms. Valdes’ first Turandot graced the stage of New York’s New Rochelle Opera in June 2010. Her ripeness of sound and dramatic finesse seized the audience’s imagination. Giorgetta in Puccini’s Il Tabarro with Opera Theatre of Lakeland, Florida follow later this year. In February of 2011, Ms. Valdes will create her second Carmen, this time with the NJCU Symphony. Her Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors was heard with NJCU Symphony in 2009. Two seasons before, she premiered her first Tosca with Raylynmor Opera in New Hampshire as well as Aida in a concert version with Pacific Opera, NY.

In 2005 at Sicily’s Vizzini Festival, Ms. Valdes headed the cast in the world premiere of Thomas Lawrence Toscano’s La Caccia al Lupo. After her success, Ms. Valdes has been invited back to premier the composer’s next opera La Caccia a la Volpe. The same year her first Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana premiered with Chelsea Opera.

Before her switch to dramatic soprano, Ms. Valdes was an established mezzo and sang concert performances as Amneris in Aida with Pacific Opera and Opera Theatre of Lakeland, Florida. Her first Carmen appeared with Raylynmor Opera in 2004. Los Amigos de la Zarzuela in New York saw her as Seña Rita in La Verbena de la Paloma, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with New Jersey State Opera preceded by Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica with the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera.

Ms. Valdes’ orchestral credits include a performance of Manuel de Falla's El Amor Brujo with the Harrisburg Symphony, PA, and a Beethoven's 9^th with the Charleston and Greensboro Symphonies.  Ms. Valdes has also performed Handel’s Messiah with NJ’s prominent Hawthorne Gospel Church, and several concerts with Pacific Opera Company at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, NY.

Raised in Florida, Ms. Valdes received her training at The New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL under the direction of Joy Davidson and Maestro Willie Waters with further studies at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. Ms. Valdes is the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Olga Forrai Foundation Grant. Ms. Valdes won the Pacific Opera Scholarship Vocal Award and was a finalist in the NJ Alliance for the Performing Arts Vocal Competition. 

"Grace Valdes not only seduced Don Jose but the entire audience at the Colonial Theatre in Keene...Her full voice reached the furthest nook of the house and her characterization was strong with both traces of humor and sudden savagery. The roar of approval she received at curtain call was thoroughly deserved."

Frank Behrens, The Keene Sentinel (Keene, NH)