Soprano, co-artistic director, curator, producer
NEW – Breathing in the Shadows
Debut Album – Lady of the Lake
View upcoming events and schedule info
Essential Opera has been presenting engaging, entertaining concert opera in Toronto and elsewhere since 2010. We are interested in pushing the boundaries of standard concert opera – emphasizing character and dramatic (or comedic) flair with plenty of onstage action. We explore opera repertoire that is widely considered “essential” (e.g., pillar works like Mozart’s Figaro) and repertoire that has not yet come into the mainstream canon. We want to continue to push these works into their rightful spotlight, highlighting the beauty and drama of operatic music from a wider variety of cultures and from newer composers. Essential Opera promotes the role of women in all aspects of opera.
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Crossing Borders is a dynamic concert that creates a dialogue among contemporary compositional voices from Canada and abroad. This recital explores the similarities and differences between Canadian and other voices by presenting the pieces in conversation with one another. I am especially invested and interested in Crossing Borders being a performance channel for diverse compositional voices and it is one of my mandates with this concert series is to actively engage with my global creative community. Please feel free to be in touch if you want to talk about collaborating. Most recent tour Canada-Colombia fall 2019 (See schedule for more details).
Diva Station trio debuted April 2019 at Neptune Theatre with their show “Songs Through the Ages”. This new Halifax trio features Laura Caswell (Neptune Theatre, Eastern Front, Drayton); Merritt award winner, Sarah Richardson (Whale Song Theatre, The Black Rats); Maureen Batt (Opera Nova Scotia, Essential Opera, Lady of the Lake).
Known for their vivaciousness and versatility, Diva Station boasts a repertoire that fuses Broadway, rock n roll, and opera. Whether in striking three-part harmonies, or in solo form, these women will take you to angelic heights and soulful depths.
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Soprano Maureen Batt, as Mary McGuire – later to become Sister Francis and then Mother Francis – filled the church with her rich, warm sound and masterful acting.
Daphna Levit, Opera Canada
Soprano Maureen Batt gave us a Morgana blending comedy and poignancy, sung with tenderness.
Leslie Barcza, Barczablog
Enthusiastically at home on the stage, Batt’s interpretation is animated and endlessly energetic.
Stephen Pedersen, Chronicle Herald
The young and lovely Maureen Batt (Zerlina) handled her role with charm, humor and a captivating soprano.
Daphna Levit, Opera Canada
Canadian soprano Maureen Batt performs with clear diction and memorable musical nuances in this fascinating release of two contrasting song cycle versions of Sir Walter Scott’s 19th-century epic poem Lady of the Lake…Batt’s soaring rendition of the original German-language version of the familiar Ave Maria is great…Both Lady of the Lake cycles are well composed and held together by Batt’s shining voice.
Tiina Kiik, The Whole Note
Such an intriguing and worthwhile recording…It’s a piece I really look forward to listening to again soon. Impeccable performances again.
John Gilks, Opera Ramblings
Maureen Batt a une voix riche avec des assises solides dans les graves, ce qui la rapproche du registre mezzo. Elle est également dotée d’aigus lumineux…C’est dans la musique de la jeune Canadienne Fiona Ryan, originaire de Halifax, que l’instrument de Maureen Batt exprime toute sa beauté.
Frédéric Cardin, Ici Musique