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Musical Roots: An Afternoon of Song From Classical Elegance to Theatrical FlairJoin celebrated local sopranos Charise Pohl, Chloé Dionne, and Mary Austin, along side pianist Mary Castello, for a captivating musical journey!
This enchanting evening features a rich blend of classical English art song and vibrant musical theatre, highlighting works by renowned Canadian composers such as Srul Irving Glick, Matthew Emery, and Cecilia Livingston, alongside classics by Kurt Weill, Sondheim.
From the lyrical to the dramatic, this performance promises to stir the soul and celebrate the beauty of voice and piano in harmony.
Biographies
Charise Catarina Pohl is a Canadian lyric soprano from Nova Scotia. Her credits include Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, James Rolfe’s Aeneas and Dido, Die Fledermaus by Strauss, Michael Rose’s A Northern Lights Dream, The Cunning Little Vixen by Leoš Janáček, Cendrillon by Massenet, Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, Manon by Jules Massenet and Street Scene by Kurt Weill. Charise has performed in the production of Rusalka by Dvořák in Teplice, Czech Republic and Opera Nuova’s Mansfield Park as Maria Bertram. She has participated in the Canadian Arts Vocal Institute in Montreal, the Island Summer Music Intensive in B.C. and C.O.S.A. She has just graduated from her masters degree studying with Krisztina Szabó for opera performance at UBC. Charise most recently returned from China after a month-long tour in six cities performing Thunderstorm by Mo Fan. Charise is starting her own opera company, launching in 2026 in Halifax, Nova Scotia with Chloé Dionne that focuses on women and promoting Canadian music and the Canadian music scene.
Chloé Dionne is a singer, musician, and artist currently based in Toronto. She has recently completed her Masters at the University of Toronto where she performed in numerous concerts and was coached by some of Canada's top opera professionals.
Chloé's heart lies in Halifax where her family resides, and where she completed her undergraduate studies. She is looking forward to a life of spreading the joy of music whether it be through performing, teaching, or songwriting.
Mary Austin is a performer with a strong foundation in theatre and opera. Her stage credits include Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest at the Grand Theatre (London, ON), Shirley in The Young Ladies of Baddeck Club with Theatre Baddeck, and Janet in the Savoy Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Mary is a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Opera Program and has appeared in numerous productions with Dalhousie Opera. In addition to her work on stage, she is a writer, producer, and actor in film and television, with screen credits including the Bell Fibe series’ Vollies, Trapped, and Everybody’s Meg, as well as the short film Cart Girls, which she co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in. She is thrilled to be part of another project that celebrates female-created and female-driven work.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre, 31 University Ave, Wolfville, NS B4P, Canada
