Praised for her "rich sound" and "remarkable agility" (Brooklyn Daily Eagle), mezzo-soprano Cornelia Lotito recently completed her 2021-2022 season as a young artist with Pittsburgh Festival Opera, performing in scenes as Carmen (Carmen), Giovanna Seymour (Anna Bolena), and others. Previously, she was a resident artist at Indianapolis Opera, where she starred in the company's double-bill of Hans Krasa's Brundibar & Lori Laitman's Holocaust oratorio Vedem. While at Indianapolis Opera, she covered the role of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and Nettie in Carousel.She also premiered the role of Janis in Marc Hoffeditz's virtual micro opera U-Hauling with Black Sheep Contemporary Ensemble.
In 2021, she 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 worked with other companies around the city, covering the role of Delores in Frank Pesci's Royal Flush with Marble City Opera. During her time at University of Tennessee, 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, Cornelia 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 title role in La Cenerentola and 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 several 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 won the Idaho-Montana District of the 2023 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.Previously, she won the Indiana District in 2022 and was an Encouragement Award winner in the Tennessee District in 2021. She has also received 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 finalist in the 2021 SAS Performing Arts Vocal Competition, and a semi-finalist in the 2021 Premiere Opera Vocal Competition. She was most recently named a finalist in the 2022 SAS Performing Arts Vocal Competition, and will sing for the finals in New York on December 3rd.
She will spend the 2022-2023 season as a resident artist with Opera Idaho performing the roles of Berta in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia and La dama in Verdi's Macbeth, and covering the roles of Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Ježibaba in Rusalka. She will also be the alto soloist in Mozart's Requiem with Cathedral of the Rockies and a soloist in Bernstein's Mass with Critical Mass Vocal Artists. Other upcoming performances include performing as a finalist in the SAS Performing Arts Vocal Competition on December 3, singing in Opera at Florham's Holiday Spectacular on December 4, and competing in the Rocky Mountain Region of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition in February 2023.