Janara Kellerman Mezzo-Soprano

Press Comments About Janara

Carmen in Carmen

"“DMMO has been quietly nurturing Janara Kellerman in previous seasons, her pungent mezzo and keen dramatic instincts gracing such roles as Antonia’s mother in Hoffman and Rigoletto’s sultry Maddalena. Toss in her considerable dark beauty, and a try at Carmen seemed inevitable; the current season saw her take on Bizet’s Gypsy, in an impressively nuanced role debut. The habanera was voluptuous of tone, and Kellerman’s intelligently shaded Seguidilla purred erotically. Carmen is one of opera's iconcic characters, of course, and Kellerman is a developing artist, but this was a highly promising assumption that will bear watching closely in seasons to come."

Opera News

"When Janara Kellerman struts on stage and launches into the famous habanera’s slinky chromatic descent, it’s easy to forget everyone else. Her voice is simultaneously agile and strong, like a big game cat that prowls through the underbrush pouncing on its prey. With her thick black hair, smoldering gaze and brazen swagger, Kellerman casts a spell more potent than a cloud of smoke. She deftly combines her character’s dramatic sense of abandon with the score’s demand for vocal control."

Des Moines Register

Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance

"Janara Kellerman, as Frederic's former nurse Ruth, took a secondary character and made her memorable with just enough over-the-top mockery and her ability to make the desperate, confused Ruth both sympathetic and humorous."

San Antonio Express

Maddalena in Rigoletto
"Janara Kellerman was terrific as Maddalena, singing resplendently and characterizing with teasingly erotic humour; one hopes that somebody is planning Carmen for her."

Opera News

"Mezzo Soprano Janara Kellerman comes of age in the sultry role of Maddalena. Here she makes the giant leap from talented singer to true artist."

Des Moines Register

Tisbe in La Cenerentola
"The sisters — not uglified in this production — were well sung by soprano Cara Johnson and the voluptuously dark mezzo of Janara Kellerman."

San Antonio Express-News

Suzuki in Madama Butterfly
"One of the brighter performances of the evening came from mezzo soprano Janara Kellerman . sings so expressively but then carries magnificently over full orchestra.”

Des Moines Register

"The night was also a triumph for mezzo soprano Janara Kellerman, who loaded the supporting role of Suzuki with warmth and charisma."

Cedar Rapids Gazette

Flora in La Traviata
"Cedar Rapids’ own Janara Kellerman is captivating in the role of Flora. Though only onstage for a short time, Kellerman makes the most of it with a vibrant performance as Violetta’s party-loving friend."

Cedar Rapids Gazette

Mother in Les Contes d'Hoffman
"Janara Kellerman sang beautifully in the Act II trio."

Des Moines Register

"....the portrait trio a highlight of the evening with Janara Kellerman’s Mother displaying a mezzo timbre velvety as the nap of a big, juicy peach."

Opera News

Lady Essex - Gloriana
"Janara Kellerman gave a splendid portrayal of Frances."

www.operajaponica.org

Dryade in Ariadne auf Naxos
"Lindstrom and Kellerman lent fine support as Penelope and Frances respectively."

Opera News

La zia Principesa in Suor Angelica
"Later, Angelica confronts her aunt, the old Princess (the compelling Janara Kellerman), who is implacable yet vulnerable: She leans wearily on her scepter, and a look of trouble and guilt flickers across her face when Angelica, still ignorant of her child's death, longingly sings of her son."

Peoria Journal Star

Alto Soloist in King David
"The three soloists were very good --- especially Janara Kellerman, a creamy rich mezzo soprano"

Cedar Rapids Gazette

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Mother in Les Contes d'Hoffman "Janara Kellerman sang beautifully in the Act II trio."

Mother in Les Contes d'Hoffman
"Janara Kellerman sang beautifully in the Act II trio."