Beth Clayton

• Mezzo-Soprano

Biography

The American mezzo Beth Clayton opens New York City Opera’s 2009/10 season as the vengeful Vashti, the deposed Queen of Persia in Hugo Weisgall’s Esther, directed by Christopher Mattaliano, to reopen the newly renovated David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. She also brings her critically acclaimed portrayal of Carmen to Canadian Opera Company, and sings Flosshilde in Los Angeles Opera’s eagerly anticipated new Ring Cycle, directed by Achim Freyer and conducted by James Conlon.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University and the Manhattan School of Music, Ms. Clayton was an apprentice artist for Santa Fe Opera and a member of the Houston Grand Opera Studio. Her awards include a Sullivan Award, and she was a finalist at the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. A native of Arkansas, Ms. Clayton resides in Santa Fe and New York and studies with Patricia McCaffrey.