Arizona Opera Cast Members & Creatives

Admired for her unique vocal prowess, "...easily switch-hitting from high coloratura to Broadway belt” (New York Post), mezzo-soprano Melanie Long is making her mark forging a truly modern operatic career. In 2019 Long created the role of Anna in Encompass New Opera Theater’s world premiere of ANNA CHRISTIE by Edward Thomas. The production and her performance received rave reviews and the cast album was up for Grammy Nomination in 2020.

Long made her New York City Opera debut in 2016 with a power-house portrayal of Ava (Gardner) in the East Coast premiere of Stewart Wallace’s HOPPER’S WIFE and returned to NYCO in 2017 to portray Amore/Cupid (PYGMALION, Rameau). Her 2017 season also included the very notable world premieres of Julian Wachner's REV 23 with White Snake Projects and Michael Gordon's ACQUANETTA for the PROTOTYPE Festival.

An exceptional singing actress, Long is an established performer of crossover, operetta and musical theater repertoire. She created the role of Pelegrino at the New York International Fringe Festival in the world premiere of THE PIG, THE FARMER AND THE ARTIST. Other notable crossover performances include Mrs. Segstrom (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC) with The Gallery Players and frequent New York and International cabaret appearances.

Long was an Opera Works artist at English National Opera in 2013 and has performed throughout the United Kingdom. Her much-lauded Edinburgh Festival Fringe appearances include the title role in MARIA STUARDA, Rosina (IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA) and DORABELLA (COSÌ FAN TUTTE).

Long began her career as a soprano, making her professional debut at Des Moines Metro opera as a “buoyant Papagena” (DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE) (Opera News), and has performed some of her most beloved roles there, including OSCAR (UN BALLO IN MASCHERA), ÄNNCHEN (DER FREISCHÜTZ) and most recently Petra in the iconic Isaac Mizrahi production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

She earned her Master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music and makes her home in New York City.