Christine Blanner

Biography

Soprano Christine Blanner has performed throughout the United States, as well as in China, Italy, Switzerland, and France. Featured roles include Polly Peacham in Threepenny Opera, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Mme. Heartmelt in The Impressario, Bastienne in Bastien und Bastienne, Clara in Signor Deluso, Juliet in The Little Sweep, Angelina in Trial by Jury, Second Woman in Dido and Aeneas and Ruth in the world premiere of Sparks Fly Upward. Her Oratorio credits include Soprano Soloist in Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Soprano Soloist in Beethoven’s C Major Mass, Soprano Soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Second Soprano Soloist in Mozart’s C Minor Mass and Soprano Soloist in Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. Ms. Blanner performed a recital of American art songs and arias at the Salon de Bourguignon during the Fête de la Musique in Chouzy-sûr-Cisse, France in 2008, and visited Shanghai, China in 2012 to perform at the Shanghai International Youth Festival.

Ms. Blanner is a Teaching Associate of Voice at Drake University and has been a member of the voice faculty since 2007. A dedicated teacher, her students are frequent winners of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competitions. Many of her students have been accepted into graduate and young artist training programs around the globe. In 2022, she was initiated as a Sigma Alpha Iota Distinguished Member by the Pi Chapter at Drake University.

A passionate and active stage director, Ms. Blanner is currently the Director of Drake Opera Theatre. She also serves as the Opera Scenes Program Artistic Director for the International Lyric Academy in Vicenza, Italy and has previously directed for the Boston Opera Collaborative, New England Conservatory and Missouri State University. Since 2018, Ms. Blanner has developed and led Drake’s “Acting Through Arias” course, which affords vocalists the opportunity to learn about acting in the operatic context.

Ms. Blanner received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Drake University in 2003 and her Masters of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in 2006, graduating with Academic Honors.