USA Debut an der Washington National Opera www.dc-opera.org

German soprano Stefanie C. Braun (Countess Almaviva) makes her WNO debut with this role. A regular artist at the Zurich Opera, her roles with that company have included Lenio (Greek Passion), Brünnhilde (Die Lustigen Nibelungen), First Lady and Pamina (Die Kinder-Zauberflöte ) among others. She has appeared in leading roles in Così Fan Tutte, Die Fledermaus, Falstaff and Othello, and also created the role of Zeipoth in Hiller's Der Goggolori and the Swiss premiere of Tan Dun's concert piece A Sinking Love last year. Further roles in her repertoire include Donna Anna and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Micaëla (Carmen) and Alice (Falstaff). A former International Vocal Arts Institute fellow, she won the Cantilena competition in Bayreuth and was awarded a fellowship at the Verbier Festival. Ms. Braun has performed with prestigious conductors such as Daniele Gatti, Eivind Gullberg-Jenssen and Adam Fischer. An active concert artist, Ms. Braun has performed with the Zurich Kammerorchester and the Munich Symphoniker, among others. Her recent solo recording, Lieder von Liebe und Leben, features songs by Clara and Robert Schumann and Erich W. Korngold.