HILLARY TUFFORD

BIOGRAPHY

Canadian mezzo soprano Hillary Tufford is a versatile and engaging performer. Growing up in Middlemarch, Ontario, focused on Music Theatre, singing the title role in Anne of Green Gables, Clara in The Light in the Piazza and Cinderella’s Mother in Into the Woods.

A Graduate of Western University (Masters in Literature and Performance), Hillary switched to the mezzo-soprano repertoire, and became a member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program at Vancouver Opera. She sang Hebe in their 2022 production of HMS Pinafore, and  “almost stole the show” as Lola in their concert performance of Cavalleria Rusticana.

Recently, Hillary debuted as Carmen with Toronto City Opera, and performed German, English and French Art songs as a Fellow in the Vocal Academy of Toronto Summer Music Festival. This season, Hillary looks forward to singing Messiah in her debut with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Bach Elgar Choir.

On the concert stage, Hillary made her Toronto debut with Elmer Iseler Singers as a soloist in Messiah and was a guest artist in Duruflé’s Requiem with Victoria Philharmonic Choir. Hillary performed with Vancouver Bach Choir 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, was a finalist in the Northwest Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition in Seattle, and sang Flora in Brott Opera’s 2023 production of La Traviata.

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 Crydermann­Wees 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

VIDEO