Soprano Sonja Arcobello is a critically praised full lyric soprano, educator, and arts leader whose work spans opera, concert performance, and higher education. Recognized for her “powerful, sumptuous soprano with a nice ‘dark’ quality,” Ms. Arcobello brings uncommon emotional intelligence, vocal authority, and stylistic depth to a wide-ranging repertoire that includes major works of the Italian, French, Russian, and contemporary operatic traditions.

 

Ms. Arcobello’s recent operatic highlights include Tosca with Opera Vermont, a role that showcased her commanding dramatic presence and vocal intensity; Zemfira (Aleko) with Pacific Lyric Association, praised for its psychological nuance and expressive urgency; and the dual roles of Mother and Witch in Hänsel und Gretel with Lyric Opera of Orange County, where her performance balanced vocal weight, theatrical precision, and darkly vivid characterization. These performances affirm her reputation as an artist drawn to complex, emotionally charged roles that demand both vocal substance and interpretive depth.

A defining role in Ms. Arcobello’s career is Mimì (La bohème), which she has performed with The Colorado Symphony, New York City Opera (Opera for Kids), Crested Butte Music Festival, Salt Marsh Opera, Knoxville Opera, and Barn Opera. Her interpretation of Mimì has been noted for its sincerity, warmth, and dramatic truth, marking the role as a cornerstone of her lyric soprano repertoire.

 

Her operatic experience encompasses a wide stylistic and linguistic range, with notable roles including Leïla (Les pêcheurs de perles), Maria Clara (Noli Me Tangere), Micaëla (Carmen), Greta Fiorentino (Street Scene), Mrs. Coyle (Owen Wingrave), Maman (L’enfant et les sortilèges), Nella (Gianni Schicchi), Frasquita (Carmen), and Lola Markham (Gallantry). Ms. Arcobello’s repertoire reflects both classical foundations and an ongoing commitment to contemporary and underrepresented works.

 

As a concert artist, Ms. Arcobello has appeared as soprano soloist in Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem on multiple occasions, including a memorial benefit performance for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. She has also been featured as soprano soloist in Canciones y arias with Lyric Unlimited, the education and outreach arm of Lyric Opera of Chicago, underscoring her dedication to meaningful musical engagement beyond the operatic stage.

 

Ms. Arcobello’s professional training includes participation in prestigious young artist programs and festivals such as Opera North, Central City Opera’s Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program (Apprentice and Studio Artist), Crested Butte Music Festival, and Opernfest Prague. She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a Performance Certificate from the Boston University Opera Institute, and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine.

 

An award-winning vocalist, Ms. Arcobello has received top honors from major national competitions, including Third Place and Encouragement Awards from the Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition, Grand Prize in the Metropolitan International Music Festival Opera Division, multiple awards from the Giulio Gari Foundation, and repeated recognition as a Semi-Finalist in the Loren L. Zachary Society National Vocal Competition.

 

In addition to her performing career, Ms. Arcobello is an accomplished educator and academic leader, currently serving as a college professor teaching several classes as well as conducting the college choirs. Her pedagogy is informed by active professional experience and emphasizes vocal health, stylistic literacy, historical awareness, and expressive authenticity. Through her dual commitment to performance and education, Ms. Arcobello brings a rare synthesis of artistic excellence, intellectual rigor, and leadership to every facet of her work.