Watson, Kristen

Soprano Kristen Watson, hailed by critics for her “blithe and silvery” tone and “winning stage presence”, has made solo debuts with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra of New York City, the Mark Morris Dance Group, Boston Baroque, the Handel & Haydn Society, and Emmanuel Music, at such venues as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC, and Boston’s Symphony Hall. Anticipated to “become a valuable presence in the early-music world” (Richard Dyer, Boston Globe), Ms. Watson was recently granted the Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Fellowship with Emmanuel Music, as well as awards from the American Bach Society Vocal Competition (Finalist), Oratorio Society of NY Solo Competition (Semi-Finalist), Concert Artists Guild Competition (Semi-Finalist), and the Louisville Bach Society Vocal Competition (3rd Place). Opera audiences have heard her in acclaimed productions with Boston Lyric Opera and Opera Boston, and additional oratorio appearances include the Boston Early Music Festival, Carmel Bach Festival, Aston Magna Festival, Cactus Pear Music Festival, Pittsburgh Camerata, and Musicians of the Old Post Road. Originally from Topeka, Kansas, Ms. Watson holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Boston University.