NAOMI BRIGELL

Naomi Brigell, mezzo-soprano, has been praised as an “expressive, athletic and strong voiced” presence on the operatic stage who “lights up every scene she’s in” (Naples Daily News). Naomi’s varied and exciting 2025-26 season includes her role and house debut as the Duchess of Plaza Toro in The Gondoliers with The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, a return to Chicago Opera Theater in their production of Salieri’s Falstaff, a world premiere for mezzo-soprano and string quartet as part of the Ear Taxi Festival’s Composer Showcase series, multiple art song concerts with the Salt Creek Song Festival, and the debut of her self-choreographed opera and tap dance crossover act, “The Shuffling Chanteuse,” in The Valkyrie Ensemble’s Glitter and Be Gay operatic variety show.

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Naomi made her professional operatic debut as Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte with Opera in the Heights in 2017 and went on to complete competitive residencies with Des Moines Metro Opera, Nashville Opera, Opera Saratoga, Dayton Opera, and Opera Naples. She was seen on the main stage as Nica in Charlie Parker’s Yardbird with Dayton Opera, Edith in The Pirates of Penzance with Nashville Opera, and returned to Opera in the Heights to perform the role of Olga in Eugene Onegin. As an Apprentice Artist with Des Moines Metro Opera, Naomi performed as Mustardseed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Third Wood Sprite in Rusalka, covered the tour-de-force role of Ginny in the world premiere of A Thousand Acres (Kuster/Campbell), and joined the company as an OPERA Iowa outreach artist. Her three seasons as a Festival Artist with Opera Saratoga included performing the role of Pedrillo in Telemann’s Don Quichotte at Comacho’s Wedding, covering the role of Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, and singing in a public masterclass for renowned composer Ricky Ian Gordon. As a resident artist at Opera Naples, Naomi performed the roles of Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro and Giannetta in L'elisir d'amore.

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As an advocate for contemporary opera, Naomi is often contracted for world premieres and workshops, including work with Chicago Fringe Opera, the Decameron Opera Coalition, Thompson Street Opera, and Chicago Opera Theater. Equally at home on the concert stage, she has appeared as a guest soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic, Palm Beach Symphony, Bach Collegium Fort Wayne, and the Houston Lutheran Chorale. An active recitalist, Naomi has performed full-length recitals with the Salt Creek Song Festival, Levy Music Series, and Musicians Club of Women. She particularly enjoys performing contemporary American art song and programming narrative recitals.

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Naomi Brigell’s accolades include the grand prize in the Kristin Lewis Foundation Vocal Scholarship Competition, first place in the Southern Illinois Young Artist Association Vocal Competition, the Jacqueline Polk Award with the Orpheus Vocal Competition, the Farwell Award in the Musicians Club of Women Vocal Competition, second place in the Mobile Opera Madame Rose Competition, and the prestigious Ellalou Dimmock Award at Boston University.

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Alongside performing, Naomi is passionate about accessibility in the arts. She works with the non-profit organization From the Top to support young musicians by providing professional development opportunities, scholarships for pre-collegiate musicians with financial need, and a platform to showcase their talents on From the Top’s renowned NPR radio program. Outside of music, Naomi is an avid avocational tap, ballet, and jazz dancer.

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Naomi Brigell lives in Chicago with her partner, literary translator Kevin Gerry Dunn, and their three-legged cat, Champion. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Boston University and a Master of Music degree from University of Houston.