Praised by Opera News for her “distinctive lower voice,” French-American mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche is highly coveted for her “richly colored mezzo” [South Florida Classical Review] and “explosively elegant” stage presence [Memphis Flyer].
2024 engagements include Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with San Diego Opera, Diana/Giove in La Calisto with Opera Memphis, and Nicklausse in Tales of Hoffmann with Opera in Williamsburg.
In 2023 Stephanie was heard as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Florida Grand, Gulfshore, and Pittsburgh Operas, and Isabella in L’Italiana in Algeri with St. Petersburg Opera for which the artist won the coveted Theater Tampa Bay award for Best Actress in a Musical or Opera. She sang Piacere in Handel’s rarely produced Il trionfo del Tempo et del Disinganno with Opera Neo, and was the alto soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Palm Beach Symphony.
As Ariodante with Opera Neo, The San Diego Union-Tribune stated, “Extraordinary singing by Stephanie Doche. She looked the part of the dashing hero to boot. She easily navigated difficult runs and conquered vocal challenges with bravura.” She made a role debut as Edka in Jake Heggie’s Two Remain (Out of Darkness) with the Quad City Symphony, and returned to Opéra Louisiane as Nicklausse/Muse/Mother in Les Contes d’Hoffmann.
In 2021 Ms. Doche performed the title roles of Carmen, La Cenerentola, and Serse with Mobile Opera, Pacific Opera Project, and Opera Neo, respectively. Critics exclaimed, “[As Serse] mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche confidently sailed through acres of fioritura. In addition to such facility, she revealed a stunning, bright upper range that should make most sopranos jealous.” [San Diego Story], and “a charming performance by Stephanie Doche as Cenerentola whose warm mezzo and impressive range give an intimation of purpose under the fragility of the downtrodden heroine.” [Stage and Cinema]. Opera Memphis welcomed her back as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Derrick Wang’s Scalia/Ginsburg.
As a proud member of the Florida Grand Opera Studio in 2021-22 she enjoyed critical successes as Maddalena and Giovanna in Rigoletto, Narciso in Agrippina, and Eunice Hubbell in A Streetcar Named Desire. The mezzo was also heard as Dina in FGO’s Trouble in Tahiti, Pamela/Mama in Daron Hagen’s New York Stories, and Rosine in Thomas Pasatieri’s Signor Deluso, the latter praised for her “nimble vocalism with deft comic timing.”
Critically acclaimed for her “triumphant” portrayal as Angelina in La Cenerentola with both Opéra Louisiane and Opera Neo in 2019, she was also a Handorf Company Artist with Opera Memphis performing Suzuki inMadama Butterfly, Cousin Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore, and Toledo in The Falling & the Rising. Stephanie garnered acclaim for her “boldly convincing trouser role” [San Diego Story] as Idamante in Idomeneo with Opera Neo. Other role credits include Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Mère Marie in Dialogues des Carmélites, Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte La Suora Zelatrice in Suor Angelica and Meg March in Little Women under the guidance of the opera’s composer, Mark Adamo.
Ms. Doche has been a featured soloist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Riverdale Choral Arts Society, and Crosstown Arts. She has received awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council and Beethoven Club of Memphis. In 2024 she won 2nd prize in the D’Angelo competition and in 2023 she took the 1st place Vocal and Grand Prize (overall) wins at the Young Texas Artists Competition, The Bellini Award at the Orpheus Vocal Competition, and was a finalist in the Opera Index Vocal Competition and Saengerbund Awards. In 2022 she placed 2nd in the SAS Performing Arts Vocal Competition, won the 1st prize and Encouragement awards in the Camille Coloratura Competition, and was a finalist in the MIOpera Vocal Competition.
