Praised for her "rich sound" and "remarkable agility" (Brooklyn Daily Eagle), mezzo-soprano Cornelia Lotito recently completed her Master of Music degree at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. During her time in Knoxville, she was a part of Knoxville Opera’s Studio program and performed the role of Stephano in the company’s 2020 production of Romeo et Juliette. She also performed with both the company in several outreach shows across the city and covered the role of Delores in Frank Pesci's Royal Flush with Marble City Opera. While at UT, she took part in University of Tennessee Opera Theatre productions of Unicorn in the Garden (The Psychiatrist), Speed Dating Tonight (Dater #10, #49), Amelia at the Ball (Amelia’s Friend), and The Old Maid and the Thief (Miss Todd).
Currently based in New Jersey, Ms. Lotito has performed with several NJ companies. In 2019, she performed the role of Dorabella in a concert production of Così fan tutte with Light Opera New Jersey. She also performed the role of Angelina in La Cenerentolaand Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte with Opera Theatre of Montclair and Berta in The Barber of Sevillewith Light Opera New Jersey. In 2018, she graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Music Degree, where she performed roles in Rape of Lucretia, Il giovedi grasso, Gianni Schicchi, Dialogues of the Carmelites,and many others. In 2016, she debuted with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, performing the mezzo-soprano solo in Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
A frequent vocal competitor, Ms. Lotito recently won an Encouragement Award from the Tennessee District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, as well as an encouragement award from the Gerda Lissner Foundation and several first place NATS awards. She was named a finalist in the 2021 Camerata Bardi International Vocal Competition and 2021 Camille Coloratura Awards, and a Contract Winner in Piccola Opera's 2021 Opera Idol Competition, She was also named a semi-finalist in the 2021 SAS Performing Arts Vocal Competition.
She will spend the 2021-2022 season as a resident artist at Indianapolis Opera.
