THE DIVAS
BARBARA KING




“An exquisite vocal command of a three octave range” ~ Opera By Request
“A Big, Rich Sound”~Musical Toronto
“Beautifully sung, displaying a powerful low register and a glorious top, dramatically convincing and emotionally riveting, hers was a truly memorable performance.” ~ William Shookhoff
After performing together in over 10 different operas, concerts, recitals, and charity endeavours over the past 5 years; Soprano Kathleen Morrison and Mezzo Soprano Barbara King joined forces to bring their distinct flair, love, and artistry of opera to the public. Sharing the same vision of making opera appealing and approachable for both expert and new comers alike, the two Divas have created a series of concerts that bring some of the most popular and loved duets and arias to stage. Through their relaxed approach to describing the music, personal performance anecdotes, maintaining an extremely high level of vocal technique, captivating the audience with their numerous costume changes and delightful stage presence; the Divas have breathed new life into the opera scene in Canada. It's impossible not to be taken in by the pure love these Divas have for opera and their joy of performing together!
From winning the Québec Provincial Gymnastics Championship on Floor to thrilling audiences with her “exquisite vocal command of a three octave range” and the possession of a “warm, agile mezzo-soprano voice”, Canadian mezzo soprano Barbara King is no stranger to the stage.
In 2018, Ms. King sang the role of Carmen with Opera Kelowna, was an Alumni Mentor with Opera NUOVA and sang as Flora in Manitoba Opera’s new production of La Traviata. In 2017, Barbara performed as Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier with Opera by Request in Toronto, made her debut as a soloist with the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra and was pleased to return to sing with Edmonton Opera in their production of Elektra as The Confidante.
Barbara has had the pleasure of singing with Calgary Opera, Manitoba Opera, Edmonton Opera, Opera Kelowna, Opera Nuova, Tuscia Opera Festival in Viterbo, Italy, Mercury Opera, Opera by Request, Amalfi Coast Music Festival in Italy, Barrie’s Colours of Music Festival, Cowtown Opera, Calgary Concert Opera Company and Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra.
Barbara’s credits include Carmen (Carmen), Laura (La Gioconda), Dorabella (Cosí Fan Tutte), Maddalena (Rigoletto), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Romeo (I Capuleti ed I Montecchi), Charlotte (Werther), La Zia Principessa (Suor Angelica), Berta (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Mistress Quickly (Falstaff), The Third Lady (The Magic Flute), Frugola (Il tabarro), Olga (The Merry Widow), The Confidante (Elektra) and Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier).
International concert performances include Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall, New York), Felton Fleet Academy (Surrey, England), The Opera Institute of California (San Jose), Coesfeld Germany, and the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute in Montréal.
A native of Montréal, Québec, Barbara currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, where she and her husband founded
Calgary Concert Opera Company. www.calgaryconcertopera.com
Upcoming performance include the role of Dalila in Samson et Dalila with Opera by Request and CCOC in September 2019.
www.calgaryconcertopera.com
www.mezzoking.com
@barbkingmezzo
KATHLEEN MORRISON




“Riveting” ~ Opera Canada
“She has the dual punch of sleek technique and beguiling flare”
~Prince George Citizen
“Powerful, Sexy, and Vocally Dominating”
~Pause Magazin
“A Highly Professional Voice”
~ Kultur-Extra Berlin
"Morrison dealt with wonderful ease the longest vocal part, while also flirting with the audience.” ~ Neues Deutschland
Described as "Riveting" by Opera Canada, Kathleen Morrison has established herself as a powerful and versatile singer. With her rich soprano voice and dramatic portrayals, she has captivated audiences in Canada and Germany, where she has spent much of her career, primarily in Berlin. Previously known for her performances of the Dramatic Coloratura repertoire (including roles like Die Königin Der Nacht and Konstanze), Kathleen has since moved into the Full Lyric/Spinto repertoire (with roles like Violetta, Tosca, and Adrianna Lecouvreur). She also has an avid interest in the Lieder repertoire.
Kathleen has an impressive list of accomplishments under her belt. She was named a CTV Inspired Alberta in 2022, and was the 2016 Classical Music Representative for Calgary's Year of Music. She has performed the Canadian national anthem at the 10th Anniversary of the Canadian Embassy at Leipziger Platz in Berlin, and has been featured numerous times on Calgary's Music Mile, the National Arts Centre and performed at the historic King Eddy. She has also been nominated for a Calgary Award and the Avenue Top 40 Under 40.
In addition to her many accomplishments as a performer, Kathleen is also a successful vocal coach. She owns and runs the highly successful 'Voice by Kathleen' studio, where she coaches singers of all genres to sing with healthy technique, including classical, country, pop, rap, EDM, jazz, and more. Her singers have gone on to be cast in numerous productions by Theatre Calgary & Storybook Theatre, gained admittance into programs at Berklee College of Music, University of McGill, University of Toronto, Ryerson University, UBC, University of Calgary, American School of Music & Dance, Broadway Dance Centre - ISVP Professional Semester, and performed for the live auditions on America's Got Talent. Her studio members have also recently been featured in the Alberta country music-based Project Wild and have won Alberta Country Music Awards.
Kathleen is also an avid adjudicator and masterclass presenter. She has worked with the University of Lethbridge, The Calgary Arts Academy, Prince George Opera Company, Alberta Music Education Foundation, Drayton Valley Performing Arts Festival, Airdrie Performing Arts Festival, Westwinds Music Society, the Calgary Public Board of Education and was on the panel for a series on vocal health and trauma presented by Calgary Opera. She is the Director of Solo Vocal studies at the prestigious Renert School.
Kathleen has been featured in various media outlets, including The Calgary Sun, The Calgary Herald, Prince George Citizen, and on the CBC Eyeopener in her hometown of Calgary, Alberta, celebrating her operatic career. She enjoys performing with the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Civic Symphony, Mercury Opera, Cologne-based Vagalume, the Calgary Concert Opera Company, and North Star Art, where in 2017 she toured 10 cities in China and sang for over 1 million people combined. No stranger to collaboration, Kathleen is also focused upon Art Song/Lieder repertoire and bringing it to the public in creative ways. Kathleen also co-founded the audience-favorite group, Divas Opera, with mezzo-soprano Barbara King and is the founder and artistic director of the Alberta Vocal Arts Association.
When she's not busy with her music career, Kathleen enjoys spending time with her Grand Champion Trick Samoyed, Alfio Sings for Lola (Alfie). She is also a certified Trick Dog Trainer of the Year, runs the Smiling Samoyed Trick Team and is the Vice-President of the Samoyed Association of Canada. Kathleen currently lives in Calgary, Alberta.