"Hilary Ginther’s mezzo-soprano has been described as “pitch-perfect” and “tender and powerful” (Schmopera). This season, Ginther sings Rosina in Virginia Opera’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, joins Musica Viva Hong Kong for a role debut as Giovanna Seymour in Anna Bolena, and returns to Central City Opera as Emma Jones in Street Scene.
Ginther also joins Opera Columbus for two quite distinct roles, first as Olga in an Opera Columbus-Columbus Symphony coproduction of Eugene Onegin, then as Sara (Sarastro) in A Magic Flute Experience: The Temple. This reimagined 90-minute take on Mozart’s classic features a new libretto and orchestrations and is set in secret location that audiences will not discover until 48 hours before the performance."
-Eric McKeever, Classical Singer Magazine
A ROYAL RESPONSE TO ELISABETTA IN DONIZETTI'S MARIA STUARDA IN HONG KONG
"As Elisabetta, mezzo-soprano Hilary Ginther (a stunning Adalgisa in MusicaViva’s Norma last year), is the kind of performer that lights up a stage even before she has even opened her mouth, and when she does, she delivers top-notch singing. With her warm timbre and earthy tessiture, she was reminiscent of both a young Agnes Baltsa and Huguette Tourangeau. Ginther also possesses an impressive evenness throughout the registers, not to mention sensational clarion high notes that soar at will over the ensemble. In a silvery-white gown and glittering ruff (designed by Andrew Cheung), she looked and sounded every inch a queen."
HILARY GINTHER AS GIOVANNA SEYMOUR
IN ANNA BOLENA WITH MUSICA VIVA HONG KONG
"Mezzo-soprano Hilary Ginther’s Giovanna (Jane Seymour) was spectacular. With rich, even registers and a vocal brilliance that penetrates even in her quietest moments, Ginther embodies the heart-wrenching struggle between her love for Henry and her concern for Anna. Her performance—whether she is pensively stroking the curves of the throne or rapturously fixating on the glimmer of the royal ring–is a pleasure to experience."
-Sylvia Woo, Interlude
HILARY GINTHER AS OLGA IN EUGENE ONEGIN AT OPERA OMAHA
"Hilary Ginther's portrayal of Olga skillfully balanced the charm and tragedy of the character. Her luxurious mezzo-soprano savor ornamented the texture of the ensemble cast just like a favorite Christmas ornament."
"Tatyana's sister [Olga] played by mezzo-soprano, Hilary Ginther, is flirtatious and girlish as the self-absorbed younger sister, decadent yet coyly engaging at the social gatherings she attends."
"Ginther is a class act. Her articulation for discourse over expressive media, abstract theatrical concepts, and emotional tropes are all unparalleled. Many of even the most exquisite creative minds, struggle to represent the intangibles of good art or music in writing, or in conversation. Ginther, was a veritable talking guide book about…. You name it. What makes Tchaikovsky great? She has a poetic answer. What are the challenges in preparing opera in Russian? She was practically ready to tutor me herself.
Not to boast with too much bias for Ginther, but it seems like a guarantee that her performance of Olga in this weekend’s Onegin will be sublime. She knows this character better than some of us know ourselves. If you take her clarity and illustrative expression as an indicator of her taste, she also raved about her cast mates. This cast and material are making a lot of promises to Omaha that a fabulous show is in the works. "
Spring
2022
ODYSSEY OPERA RECORDING RELEASE
HENRY VII
By Saint-Saëns
On April 26th, 2022 Odyssey Opera released the 2019 recording of HENRY VIII by Saint-Saëns featuring Michael Chioldi as Henry VIII, Ellie Dehn as Catherine of Aragon, and Hilary Ginther as Anne Boleyn led by conductor and General Director, Gil Rose.
THE OLGA FORRAI FOUNDATION
Ms. Ginther has been a grantee of the Olga Forrai Foundation since 2019. They have supported her in the preparation of HENRY VIII, THE MAID OF ORLEANS, CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, NORMA, BEETHOVEN 9, EUGENE ONEGIN, MARIA STUARDA, OTELLO, and ANNA BOLENA. The Olga Forrai Foundation has provided support for the career development of exceptionally large, dramatic voices and classical music conductors for 40 years.