About

Praised for “singing and acting with assurance, liveliness and wit,” mezzo-soprano Elizebeth Barnes is a commanding performer who is passionate about opera, new music, and making those genres available to diverse audiences. Ms. Barnes is a third generation opera singer, following in the footsteps of her paternal grandmother, and mother. 

In the 2023- 2024 season, Ms. Barnes will make her Shakespeare Opera Theatre debut covering the role of Hansel and Sandman in Hansel & Gretel. She will also reprise the role of Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte with Loudoun Lyric Opera.

In the 2022-2023 season, Ms. Barnes made her role debut as Tisbe in La Cenerentola with Bel Cantanti Opera, as well as covered the title role.  She returned as a rostered member of Baltimore Musicales to perform in two recital series, “Love’s Messengers,” and “Phenomenal Women: Spring’s Renewal.” Ms. Barnes also presented a duo recital in collaboration with Ruby Nightingale, “Warm Airs Whispering,” featuring the works of Berg, Korngold, Heggie, Laufer, Fauré and Apperghis with performances in both New York City and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2022, Ms. Barnes presented a solo recital entitled, “Sounds of Summer,” in her hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico, as well as making her choreography debut on Tri-M Productions’ Spring Awakening. Ms. Barnes participated in Maryland Lyric Opera’s season of Verdi, joining their outstanding chorus for their productions of Don Carlos, Macbeth, Un Ballo in Maschera, and Falstaff.

Her 2021-2022 engagements included a company debut with InSeries Opera, which was sadly canceled due to the global pandemic. Ms. Barnes had her first appearance with Bel Cantanti Opera where she performed in “Mister X of Operetta,” featuring scenes composed by Emmerich Kálmán. Classical Movements hosted Ms. Barnes as she performed an evening of French songs,“Liberté chérie: Bastille Day Celebration,” presented in their stunning secret garden. She had her first appearance with Baltimore Musicales in, “Tis the Season.” Ms. Barnes also joined The Annapolis Opera Chorus for their productions of La Bohème and Lost in the Stars.

Ms. Barnes has previously covered Countess Charlotte Malcolm in A Little Night Music with The Aspen Opera Center, and performed in multiple opera scenes and concerts. Ms. Barnes was featured in Fort Worth Opera’s Frontiers: New Work Showcase, where she sang the title role in a selection from Albert Nobbs. She was also an Apprentice Artist with Sarasota Opera, covering the role of Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte. She appeared with Hawaii Performing Arts Festival as Jo March in Little Women, where she had the opportunity to coach with composer Mark Adamo.

Ms. Barnes’ roles includes Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Suor Zelatrice in Suor Angelica, Dido in Dido and Aeneas, Prince Charmant in Cendrillon, Edith in Pirates of Penzance, and Peep-Bo in The Mikado. 

An alumna of The Hartt School of Music, Ms. Barnes received her Masters of Music from The Eastman School of Music.