ICAV - P.E. Bergeron
Biography
French-Argentinean Mezzo-Soprano Eugenia Forteza has been praised for her “earthy vocal presence” (Opera Wire), "powerful voice" (Atuvu.ca) and “wonderful legato lines and impressive breath control”
(Voce di Meche).
Born in Paris, France, Eugenia grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and moved to the United States to continue her musical education at age 19. Eugenia is fluent in French, Spanish, English and Italian and speaks
intermediate German.
Eugenia was recently awarded 2nd place / Honorable Mention for Best Video at the Canto Latino 2021 International Competition organized by Vocalis Consort and Fundación Cultural Armonía. She was also a Finalist for Best Singer, Best Performance and Audience Favorite in this competition. Eugenia was a Winner at the 2017 Concorso Internazionale di Canto Lirico Katia Ricciarelli, where she was awarded an Opera Role Prize, a Finalist in the 2018 Vienna Summer Music Festival Vocal Competition, a Semi-Finalist in the 2018 Mary Trueman Vocal Art Song Competition and a Semi-Finalist in the 2018 Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition.
2020 marked Eugenia's mainstage debut with Teatro Grattacielo as Dimitri in the company's filmed version of Fedora, available for streaming worldwide. Recent career highlights include Eufemia in Leoncavallo's La Bohème and Noémie in Cendrillon L'Institut Canadien d' Art Vocal, as a full scholarship recipient, covering the title roles in María de Buenos Aires and L'incoronazione di Poppea with Bare Opera, originating the role of Ugly Duckling in Felix Jarrar's new opera Mother Goose at Dixon Place in NYC, the role La Pastorcita in the US Premiere of El Rey Nació with Puntaclassic Productions, a company and role debut in Carmen with Hudson Opera Theater and covering the role of Babylonienne in Hérodiade with New Amsterdam Opera.
Eugenia has a special affinity with contemporary operatic projects and is frequent collaborator of composer Felix Jarrar and librettist Bea Goodwin, having originated the roles of Therese/Dada Queen in Tabula Rasa for the NY Opera Fest and the role of the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol with Gramercy Opera. Both runs were acclaimed World Premieres.
In concert, Eugenia has recently made her debut with A Modern Reveal "Leading Ladies Liberated" concert series (in collaboration with New Camerata Opera) at The Flea Theater as part of the 2019 NY Opera Fest. Other recent concert highlights include a debut with Magna Lírica, in its 2019 Season Opening Concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina and her Colombian debut at Museo Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá with mezzo-soprano, Monica Danilov. She has also been a soloist for Ramirez' Misa Criolla with the University Singers at Boyer College of Music and Dance.
Eugenia has participated in several prestigious summer festivals. In 2015, Eugenia was selected to participate in the International Vocal Arts Institute (IVAI) in NYC, where she worked with some of the top teachers and coaches in the industry. She has been invited to return on scholarship, from 2016 to 2019. In 2018, she also joined IVAI's program in Canada, L'Institut Canadien d'Art Vocal, also on full scholarship. In 2014, Eugenia was selected to participate in the 10th Barcelona Festival of Song where she was praised for her interpretation of Iberian and Latin American repertoire. In Salzburg, she attended the Franco American Vocal Academy. In San Francisco, she was part of the Opera Academy of California. Eugenia also participated in the Florence Voice Seminar in Italy, studying voice with the late Julian Rodescu.
In 2017, Eugenia was awarded a full scholarship to study Italian in Florence, through the Italian Cultural Institute in NYC. Eugenia is the 2015 recipient of the Opera Graduate Assistantship at Mason Gross School of the Arts. In 2013/2014 Eugenia was awarded NEC’s Community Performances and Partnerships Program Opera Fellowship. Eugenia is also the 2013 recipient of The Florence Berggren Voice Scholarship and The Richard M. Scholarship for Music Studies from the Boyer College of Music and Dance.
Eugenia holds a Master of Music from the Opera Institute at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where she studied with bass-baritone Eduardo Chama. Eugenia also holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance, Summa Cum Laude, from the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She studied with Randi Marrazzo while at Temple and prior to that, Eugenia studied at the National Conservatory of Buenos Aires with Ana María Osorio. Eugenia currently studies with soprano
Elizabeth De Trejo.
Upcoming engagements for the 2020-2021 Season include Eugenia's role debut as Beppe in L'Amico Fritz with Teatro Grattacielo, a soloist engagement in Fairfield County Chorale's performance of Vivaldi's Gloria and performances with On Site Opera. This season Eugenia continues as a Young Artist with Teatro Grattacielo in NYC and with OperUs, an international organization based in Italy dedicated to the promotion of young opera talents. Eugenia also returns to the St. John's Concert Series in Philadelphia, for her third year as a guest soloist and sings with organizations such as Una Voz Un Mundo, Eurasia Festival, Barcelona Festival of Song, Sing for Hope and Opera on Tap.
Eugenia currently resides in NYC and is represented by Spotlight Artists Management for classical music . She is the Founder and Lead Editor of 360° of Opera, a writer for Classical Singer Magazine and serves as an Ambassador for the Barcelona Festival of Song, The Musical Athlete, as a Board Member for Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra and as Vice-President of the Board for Frisson Films.