Allyson McHardy

A unique vocal colour and commanding stage presence are the hallmarks of performances by mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy. Featured at the Paris Opera and Opéra de Toulouse, McHardy debuts at the Drottningholm Opera in July 2024 in the title role of Lully’s Armide. A favourite with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, she comes to Ottawa from her performance at the Artrosphere Festival in Arkansas in Verdi’s Requiem. Her 2023–2024 season has included engagements with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Opera Victoria (Wagner’s Die Walküre), Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Early Music Vancouver (Handel’s Messiah). Next season includes returns to Vancouver Opera (Minskwoman-Dove's Flight), Music of the Baroque (Handel’s Theodora), and the Victoria Symphony for Lieberson’s Neruda Songs.

In 2022–2023, Allyson McHardy appeared in the world premiere of Le beauté du monde at Opéra de Montréal, Bach Cantatas with Rafael Payare and Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, with the Grand Philharmonic Choir in Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Handel’s The Resurrection with Opera Atelier. Other recent credits include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Orchestre symphonique de Québec and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and Mahler’s Rückert Lieder with the Victoria Symphony. She has appeared with major orchestras across the globe, including the Royal Concertgebouw for Ligeti’s Requiem, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for Handel’s Messiah, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor for Symphony Nova Scotia, and a staged production of Mozart’s Mass in D Minor for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Allyson is a Juno–nominated artist and has won two Prix Opus awards for performances with Opéra de Montréal and Opéra de Québec.