About this Artist
JEAN STILWELL, hailed on three continents for her complex portrayal of Carmen, is at the forefront of this generation’s mezzo-sopranos. Since Stilwell first assumed the role in Vancouver, Bizet’s fascinating gypsy has opened many doors for her, and she has appeared with the Buxton Festival, New York City Opera, Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, and all the opera companies of Canada. The striking mezzo-soprano has appeared as Amneris in Aida for Vancouver Opera, as Marie in Wozzeck for Pacific Opera Victoria, and the premiere of Facing South with Tapestry New Opera Works. Recent seasons have also included the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Calgary Opera), Jenny in The Threepenny Opera (Vancouver Opera), and Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana (Manitoba Opera). She recently lectured and performed for the Vancouver Opera Club and launched a new CD, Carmen Unzipped, with pianist Patti Loach. Stilwell can be heard daily in Toronto on Classical 96.3 FM’s Good Day GTA with co-host Mike Duncan. She appeared during the 2007/08 season in the world premiere of Transit of Venus by Victor Davies for Manitoba Opera, and in 2008/09 she sings the role of Peronskaya in Prokofiev’s War and Peace with the Canadian Opera Company.