BIOGRAPHY
Canadian mezzo soprano Hillary Tufford is a versatile and engaging performer. A 2017 Graduate of Western University (Masters in Literature and Performance), Hillary was invited to join the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program at Vancouver Opera where she sang Hebe in their 2022 production of HMS Pinafore, and “almost stole the show” as Lola in their concert performance of Cavalleria Rusticana.
This season, Hillary makes her Toronto debut with Elmer Iseler Singers in Messiah and is a guest artist in Duruflé’s Requiem with Victoria Philharmonic Choir. Hillary performed with Vancouver Bach Choir as alto soloist in performances of Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle and recently debuted in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Kingston Symphony.
Hillary was “warm and fun as Hermia” in Vancouver Opera’s recent production of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and was a finalist in the Northwest Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition in Seattle. Hillary sang Flora in Brott Opera’s 2023 production of La Traviata, Alain Trudel conducting.
At Highlands Opera Studio’s production of Eugene Onegin, Opera Canada’s Dawn Martens wrote “Hillary Tufford was an engaging Olga, perfectly embodying the flirtatious innocence of the character, while also showcasing a rich, velvety tone”.
Hillary is a bursary recipient from the program Les Jeunes ambassadeurs lyriques, funded by Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20, and has received grants from the RBC Emerging Artist Project and the Hazel Crydermann-Wees Foundation.
REVIEWS
As Flora in La Traviata with Brott Festival –
"Tufford’s voice in particular has a rich, velvety tone and strength that points towards future starring roles."
Dawn Martens, Opera Canada
As Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream with Vancouver Opera –
"Mezzo [Hillary] Tufford is warm and fun as Hermia..."
Janet Smith, Stir Vancouver
As Olga in Eugene Onegin with Highlands Opera Studio –
"Hillary Tufford was an engaging Olga, perfectly embodying the flirtatious innocence of the character, while also showcasing a rich, velvety tone; hers will be a voice to listen for in the future."
Dawn Martens, Opera Canada
As Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana in concert with Vancouver Opera –
“Hillary Tufford sang Lola and nearly stole the show with a coy bit of staging.”
David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun
"I would love to have seen more of Hillary Tufford, but alas, the role of Lola, the temptress who ruins everybody’s life, gets short shrift in this format.”
John Jane, ReviewVancouver.org
As Flora in La Traviata with Brott Festival –
"Tufford’s voice in particular has a rich, velvety tone and strength that points towards future starring roles."
Dawn Martens, Opera Canada
As Olga in Eugene Onegin with Highlands Opera Studio –
"Hillary Tufford was an engaging Olga, perfectly embodying the flirtatious innocence of the character, while also showcasing a rich, velvety tone; hers will be a voice to listen for in the future."
Dawn Martens, Opera Canada
SELECTED ROLES
Hermia | A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Olga | Eugene Onegin
Hebe | HMS Pinafore
SELECTED REPERTOIRE
Beethoven | Ninth Symphony
Rossini | Petite Messe Solennelle
Handel | Messiah
