About

Chinese American soprano Abagael Cheng (she/her) is a singing artist who strives to break the boundaries of classical performance and bring social activism to the forefront of her work. Cheng sees her role in social justice and the arts to be one and the same: that of a storyteller. She works towards deepening relationships within and between communities by engaging audiences with relatable narratives and centering collaboration in her productions.

Most recently, Cheng co-created, co-produced, and performed a staged chamber recital, Awakening, as part of City Lyric Opera’s 2024 artist-led season. She won the first place prize in the voice division of the 2023 Delta Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition, and will be competing in the finals of The Philharmonic Society of Arlington 2024 Young Artist Competition later this spring. Last year, she completed her Master’s degree in the Graduate Vocal Arts Program at Bard College Conservatory of Music.

Music

A champion of new music, Cheng premiered chamber works in City Lyric Opera’s 2024 artist-led season and at Creative Dialogue France in 2023 under the mentorship of Lucy Shelton. During the 2022 season, she appeared as the Cabaret Soloist in JL Marlor’s world premiere of The Final Veil at the cell theatre. She brings contemporary music to the life by programming works by living composers such as György Kurtág, Sheila Silver, George Benjamin, Isabel Mundry, Gilda Lyons, and many more. In addition to 20th and 21st Century classical music, Cheng has experience performing a variety of genres and time periods including opera and oratorio (from the baroque, classical, and romantic eras), art song, cabaret, musical theatre, and pop music.

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