Jodi Karem Barravecchio

Lebanese-American soprano. Jodi Karēm has been described as having a rich sound and creamy legato as well as being a sensitive performer. She performs in both opera and concert in a variety of roles throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. In 2019, Ms. Karem was a prize winner in the Lyra New York International Vocal Competition, Opera Division. Ms. Karem’s 2019 performances include the role Alice Ford (Fidelio) and Gertrud (A Hand of Bridge) as well as concert performances in Dubai, UAE and in Germany. Other recent roles include Lady Macbeth at Opera America’s Marc A. Scorca Hall in New York City, as well as the role of Venus in Wagner’s Dresden version of Tannhäuser with Apotheosis Opera in New York. In her portrayal as the Mother in Amahl & the Night Visitors, Ms. Karēm “reached emotional and vocal heights that set the pulse racing and the emotional barometer practically bursting” (BrooklynDiscovery.com).

Ms. Karēm grew up the only girl of 7 children and played a variety of sports as a child. When she discovered her voice in college, she immediately fell in love with opera. Ms. Karēm keeps her mind in both sports and opera to stay fit for the demanding roles she sings. She recently completed the Tough Mudder, which consisted of 10 miles of running and military obstacle courses. After this success, she went on to sing scenes from Tosca and Tannhaüser as a guest artist with the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

Ms. Karēm premiered the role of Lady Mabel with the Center for Contemporary Opera's production of The Secret Agent in New York City, the European debut with the Armel Festival in Hungary as well as in Avignon, France at Opera Grand Avignon. The release of The Secret Agent CD features Ms. Karēm as part of the debut cast. As a mezzo soprano, Ms. Karēm performed roles such as Eboli, Charlotte, Flora, Carmen, Fidalma, Cecilia March, Hansel, Orlofsky and the Witch from Hansel & Gretel. Past roles also include Santuzza and Carmen with Cape Cod Opera, Cenerentola with Springfield Regional Opera, Olga in Union Avenue Opera's production of Eugene Onegin, Ericka in Long Leaf Opera's production of Vanessa and Suzuki with Skylight Opera. In a performance of Santuzza with Cape Cod Opera, Ms. Karēm's performance was described as "one of the finest performances I have witnessed, not just stylistically, but in every other way - acting, emotion, facial expression, body movement." (operaOnline.us) Ms. Karēm was commended on her portrayal of Erika as she "conveyed Erika's complex mixture of idealism, inhibitions and tortured anguish with a firmly focused voice." (Classical Voice of North Carolina) Her Erika was also praised when "Ms. Karēm's Erika rightly centered the show, her rich, clear mezzo easily encompassing the character's passionate outbursts and private doubts." In a performance of Carmen with Cape Cod Opera, Ms. Karēm is "just what we hoped to see in this role. Indeed, Ms. Karēm brought to the role the zest and sex appeal that Carmen is supposed to have...she combined a smooth vocal performance with strong sensual physicality and melded the two in our minds and kept everyone's attention whenever she was on stage." (operaOnline.us)

Recent concert performances include guest solo artist with the Athena Music Foundation in Dubai, UAE and with New York Dramatic Voices in excerpts from La Gioconda and La Fanciulla del West. Other performances include a recent performance at Carnegie Hall as the Alto Soloist in Mozart's Vesperae solennes de confessore, as alto soloist at Carnegie Hall in Mozart's Requiem, alto soloist in the Dayton Philharmonic's Messiah, as guest artists with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, a concert and master class at Wabash College, as soloist with the Palm Beach Theatre Guild, Waukegan Public Library Concert Series, Northwest Community Church Concert Series, and Carmen preview concerts with Florentine Opera in Milwaukee. Ms. Karēm has been a prize winner and scholarship recipient with Opera Columbus Competition, National Opera Association, Marguerite McCammon Vocal Competition, Aspen Music Festival, Bay Area Summer Opera Theatre Institute and Opera Theatre of Lucca. Young artist programs include Natchez Opera Festival, Cincinnati Opera Outreach Ensemble, Utah Opera, and Aspen Opera Theatre. Ms. Karēm also performs in recital throughout the United States. Performances include two Spanish music concerts in Chicago, Racine Arts Council, a recital at Chicago's prestigious Fourth Presbyterian Church, with the Musicians Club of Women in Chicago, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ms. Karēm also had the opportunity to perform as a solo artist for the Metropolitan Opera Guild's "Spinning Strauss" Master Class Series with Jane Marsh as well as for the Lincoln Center Patrons. Ms. Karēm has appeared as a solo artist with the Louisville Orchestra under Maestro Mester. She sang selections from Les Nuits d'Ete and La Regata Veneziana.

Upcoming performances include a Strauss concert including selections from Ariadne auf Naxos, Der Rosenkavalier, and Capriccio. Other upcoming performances include the role of Gertrude in Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge.