Rose-Ellen Nichols, Zita

Rose-Ellen Nichols, Zita

Rose-Ellen is a First Nations singer with a voice that is easy to love. Although at present she resides in Calgary, she grew up fisherman’s daughter on the coast of British Columbia. Currently she is performing with the Calgary Opera Emerging Artists, touring Mozart’s - The Magic Flute and in May, will perform in Handel’s – Ariodante as Polinesso.

As graduate from UBC’s Masters program, she appeared in many productions, including: Lehar’s – The Merry Widow as Olga Kromow, Offenbach’s – Orpheus and the Underworld as Public Opinion, Tchaikovsky’s – Eugene Onegin as Olga, Mozart’s – Die Zauberflöte as Third Lady, Mozart’s – Marriage of Figaro as Marcellina, Purcell’s – Dido and Aeneas as second witch and again as the Sorceress, Gilbert and Sullivan’s – HMS Pinafore as Buttercup, Gilbert and Sullivan’s – Gondoliers as the Duchess ( and Inez), Lloyd Burritt’s – The Dream Healer as Antonia Wolf, and Johann Strauss’ – Die Fledermaus as Prince Orlofsky. While attending the Banff summer program she performed in Purcell’s - Dido and Aenaes as Dido, and Britten’s – A Mid Summer Nights Dream as Hippolyta.

In the Czech Republic, Rose-Ellen made her European debut, in Janacek’s – The Cunning Little Vixen as both Lapák and Paní Pásková, and returned to perform Tchaikovsky’s – Eugene Onegin, as Filipievna and in Mozart’s – Cosi Fan Tutte, as Dorabella. In Irelands “Wexford Festival” she performed in Puccini’s - Suor Angelica, as La Badessa and in Menotti’s – The Old Maid and the Thief, as Mrs. Todd.

Excited to be travelling to Newfoundland, Rose-Ellen looks forward to performing in Opera on the Avalon’s production of Puccini’s – Gianni Schicchi in the role of Zita.