McDonall, Lois Jeanette

  • From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: See full biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_McDonall
  • Wiki Biography:
    • Lois Jeanette McDonall CM (born February 7, 1939) is a Canadian operatic soprano, especially known for her performances in the operas of Mozart and Donizetti.
    • She was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2023. She currently resides in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
    • Lois McDonall was born in Larkspur, Alberta. She began her vocal training in Edmonton with Eileen McEcheran, and also studied with Glyndwr Jones in Vancouver. After winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in Seattle, Washington, Ms. McDonall was encouraged to seek a career in opera.
    • Lois McDonall made her Canadian Opera Company debut between 1967-9. Her early roles included: Susanna in Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari Il segreto di Susanna and Kate Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. She then went on to the Stadische Buhren in Flensburg, Germany where she played the demanding title role in Puccini’s Tosca and Elsa in Wagner’s Lohengrin.
    • Ms. McDonall spent 14 years as a resident artist with the English National Opera. In addition to her tenure at the ENO, Ms. McDonall made appearances at the Scottish Opera, the Welsh National Opera, Opera North and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where she made her debut in 1975 in Richard Strauss’ Die Frau ohne Schatten. She gave performances in Canada in the 1974 Festival Canada as the Countess and in 1975 with the COC in Die Fledermaus and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at the Edmonton Opera in 1977. Ms. McDonall returned to live in Canada in 1984 and appeared as the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro at the Hamilton Opera. In 1988, she sang the title role in Fedora with “Opera in Concert”. She also sang in the COC’s production of Andrea Chénier in 1989.
    • Ms. McDonall has worked tirelessly in the years since her return to Canada to prepare young Canadian singers for their own careers in opera and classical music. She teaches now for the joy of watching students progress and achieve their dreams.
    • On December 28, 2023, Ms. McDonall’s efforts in support of Canadian opera – both singing and teaching – were officially recognized by the Governor General of Canada with her advancement as a Member of the Order of Canada. The award appropriately recognizes Ms. McDonall’s diligence and determination in overcoming the challenges which naturally arise from emanating from a remote Canadian pioneering farm community. It acknowledges the brilliance of her career despite those challenges.
  • Fourth Great Granddaughter of Proven United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=7969