Penny Shumate
Soprano | Click Here for repertoire | Click Here for reviews

Penny Shumate is a beautiful young soprano who is fast emerging as an exciting new artist on the operatic scene.  She recently made her Carnegie Hall debut as the soprano soloist in Carmina Burana, receiving a standing ovation.   

Miss Shumate has performed many roles with the Baltimore Opera Company.  She is also a favorite of Opera Roanoke and has performed many roles for them in addition to being featured as a recital artist in their recital series.  She has also sung with the Des Moines Metro Opera, Lake George Opera Festival, Ash Lawn-Highland Summer Festival, Utah Festival Opera, Center City Opera Theater, and Philadelphia Concert Opera.  Her roles include Violetta in La Traviata, Gilda in Rigoletto, Musetta in La Bohème, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, First Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Adele in Die Fledermaus and Abigail Williams in The Crucible. This spring, Miss Shumate performed as the soprano soloist in the Messiah with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.   Over the summer, Miss Shumate performed the roles of Violetta and Donna Anna in excerpts of La Traviata and Don Giovanni in Lake George Opera Festival’s Opera Favorites orchestra concert.  She also performed as the soprano soloist for chamber and pops concerts at the Luzerne Music Festival.  This fall, Miss Shumate sang the role of Violetta in La Traviata and performed as the soprano soloist in the Messiah with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra.  In April 2005, she will sing the role of Galatea in Acis and Galatea with Opera Roanoke, and in November 2005, she will sing the role of Lisa and cover the role of Amina in the Baltimore Opera’s production of La Sonnambula.

Repertoire

Performance Reviews

“Penny Shumate sang her way through the very demanding lead role of Violetta with ease. Always in control of her powerful and supple voice, this very attractive young soprano gave a vocal performance not often heard this far north of New York City.”
    -The Chronicle, 2004

“As Violetta, soprano Penny Shumate was a delight. Her pure voice soared with strength on top. Her acting, however, is what held the large crowd’s attention. She flirted and suffered. She laughed and was determined. Her “Forever Free” aria in the first act was superb with the right amount of frustration and abandon.”
    -The Post-Star, 2004

“Shumate shines. Shumate was the star of the afternoon, coming up with a beautiful vocal and dramatic performance from start to finish. Her voice has a lovely quality and she has the technique to flutter through Violetta’s demanding coloratura lines with confidence.”
    -The Daily Gazette, 2004

“Penny was a delight this past weekend. I couldn't have asked for a more professional, courteous, gracious or well voiced Violetta.”
    -Maestro Charles Peltz, Conductor for La Traviata,
     Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, 2004

“Penny Shumate’s performance was stunning and everyone should know about it. I find her ability to achieve a variety of vocal colors, that which is most appropriate for her specific aria, to be remarkable.”
    -Maestro Jonathan Griffith, Conductor for Carmina Burana,
     Carnegie Hall, 2003

“Papagena was sung brightly by soprano Penny Shumate.”
    -The Washington Post, 2001

“Penny Shumate’s sexy and feisty Musetta a particular delight.”
    -Au Courant News Magazine, 2000

“Blessed with a clear voice, she (Penny Shumate) sang with crispness and fire”
    -The Kennett Paper, 1998