Catherine Thornsley, Soprano

Mimi

Burnaby Lyric Opera Debut

Flagstaff, Arizona native Catherine Thornsley earned her Bachelor’s from Northern Arizona University and Master's from the University of British Columbia. With UBC Opera, she performed as Madame Cortese in Il viaggio a Reims and Contessa Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro. She also appeared as Marta in the Canadian premiere of Weinberg’s Pasażerka and starred as the title role in Dvořák’s Rusalka. At the 2023 Glimmerglass festival, Catherine covered the role of Mimì in Puccini’s La Bohème. She will return as a Young Artist this year where she will be covering the role of Nedda in Pagliacci and singing The Queen in the premiere of Jen Ibsen’s children’s opera Rumplestiltskin and the Unlovable Children. Catherine is a two-time Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition National Semifinalist. Currently based in Vancouver, Catherine collaborates with local opera companies and musicians, striving to make music more accessible. She is currently under the mentorship of Nancy Hermiston.