Melissa Serluco

Lebanese-American mezzo-soprano, Melissa Serluco has been applauded for her “large, even, agile mezzo [voice]” and having “admirable fireworks for the showpieces and a take-charge stage presence.” In August Ms. Serluco made her European debut performing Elizabeth Proctor in Robert Ward’s The Crucible with Opernfest Berlin.

This season Melissa also made her role debut as Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte with Amore Opera and performed the American premiere of the new song cycle, Five Duban Songs, composed by Constantine Caravassilis based on Saphhic literature with Hereford Arts.

Ms. Serluco has been involved in several other premieres including the world premiere of The Theft of a Smile; a Rossini pastiche based on the true story of the burglary of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911 presented by Bronx Opera. Melissa also debuted the title role in the American premiere of Donizetti’s unknown work, La Zingara. She was lauded for “creating the character of Argilla with such skill and charm,” and Parterre Box noted “her talents are precisely suited to the part and to any number of Rossini buffo heroines.”

In 2017, Melissa made her role debut as Rosina in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Amore Opera, portrayed her second depiction of the title role in Bizet’s Carmen with Opera Breve, and made several appearances with Regina Opera, New Amsterdam Opera, and OperaRox Productions performing the roles of Giannetta (L’elisir d’amore), Curra (La forza del destino), and Ruggiero (Alcina) respectively.

Ms. Serluco enjoyed her international debut with New Opera Singapore in 2016, portraying the role of Public Opinion in a modernization of Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. Some additional past credits include Jo (Little Women), Dido (Dido & Aeneas), Sesto (La Clemenza di Tito), Zita (Gianni Schicchi), Siebel (Faust), Meg Page (Falstaff), the title role in Offenbach’s La Perichole, and Dorothée (Cendrillon).

Ms. Serluco has a strong passion for the performance of new music and working with living composers. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to do just that and perform a new song cycle by Dana Kaufman on OperaRox’s New Works Concert in June 2017 as part of the second annual New York Opera Fest. She has also seen success on the concert stage; during her time in Chicago, she performed with the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra in their concert of Verdi and Wagner selections under the baton of Robert G. Hasty.

Ms. Serluco received her Master of Music from Northwestern University and her Bachelor of Music from Stetson University.