Praised for her “crystalline tone” by Opera News, Indian-American soprano MAYA KHERANI has been lauded for her vibrant voice and exciting characterizations in repertoire from the Baroque to the modern. San Francisco Classical Voice recognizes her as “obviously an enormous talent” and the Boston Music Intelligencer applauds her performances as evoking “the sparkling effervescence of a fine champagne.”
Most recently, Ms. Kherani made a “dynamic” role debut as Musetta in La Bohème with West Bay Opera, praised for her “shimmering high notes and stunning looks.” This summer included her debut in the title role of Partenope with Opera NEO under the baton of Benjamin Bayl. For her performance San Diego Story raved, “From her opening ornate aria, Maya Kherani’s Partenope sailed through Handel’s effusive coloratura with gleaming precision and impassioned conviction. She dominated this production the same way an excellent Violetta commands Verdi’s La Traviata.”
Upcoming engagements include Beck (cover) and the Quartet Soprano in the world première of Laura Kaminsky’s Today It Rains with Opera Parallèle, Rosina with Cinnabar Theater, Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera with West Edge Opera, and Gilda in Rigoletto and Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with Opera Modesto.
This past November, Ms. Kherani made her European debut as a fellow with the Fondazione Giorgio Cini – Seminari di Musica Antica singing the modern-world première of French Baroque works from Caribbean under the direction of Pedro Memelsdorff and Sophie Daneman. She then returned this past February to sing in a follow-up program, directed by Mr. Memelsdorff and Vivica Genaux.
Recent seasons featured Ms. Kherani’s mainstage company debut as Despina in Così fan tutte at Opera San Jose, where she also sang Lisette in the student matinee performance of La Rondine as well as Yvette in all other performances. Other roles last season include Britomarte with West Edge Opera in Martín y Soler’s L’arbore di Diana (The Chastity Tree), Jill in the world première of Jack and Jill and the Happening Hill with Salt Marsh Opera, the title role of Semele with Pocket Opera, and Frasquita in Carmen with West Bay Opera.
In demand for new and challenging works as well as from the Baroque era, Ms. Kherani has been engaged for many world premières in her young career. In 2014, she made her Houston Grand Opera (HGOco) debut in the role of Meera in the world première of Jack Perla’s River of Light. Other premières include Neil Rolnick’s Anosmia, released by Innova Records in 2013, and Dante de Silva’s “graphic opera” Gesualdo, Prince of Madness with Opera Parallèle. In 2015, she appeared in the leading role of Altisidore in Boismortier’s Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse at Central City Opera, for which she was praised for her “vocal triumph” in the “cruel demands” of the role; critics noted that her “bright, strong voice and fluid dancing were notable strengths of the production.” A passionate interpreter of early music, Ms. Kherani has been featured with the American Bach Soloists, the San Francisco Bach Choir, the Amherst Early Music Festival, Early Music Vancouver, and the American Handel Society Festival.
Ms. Kherani’s numerous awards include the 2015 McGlone Award from Central City Opera, 1st Place and Audience Favorite at the James Toland Vocal Competition (Tier II), 2nd Place at the Peter Elvins Vocal Competition (Opera Division), the Kalvelage Award at West Bay Opera’s Holt Competition, two Encouragement Awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and the top overall Barlow Award at the San Francisco Bay Area NATS competition, where she also won 1st Place in both the Professional Art Song and Aria categories.
Ms. Kherani holds a B.S.E. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and minor in Music Performance from Princeton University, where she graduated summa cum laude and received the Isidore and Helen Sacks Award for excellence in Music Performance. While at Princeton, she was a dancer and choreographer for Naacho South Asian Dance Company. She holds a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
