Jean Stilwell, well known for her complex portrayal of Carmen, has sung for many years in opera houses and concert halls all over the world. In Keith Warner’s daring production of CARMEN for Minnesota Opera, Ms. Stilwell’s “riveting” performance of the title role was praised for “mesmerizing stage presence and her dangerous sounding, husky mezzo … vocally rich and powerful.”
Since first assuming the role in Vancouver, Bizet’s fascinating gypsy opened many doors for Ms. Stilwell and she has appeared with the Buxton Festival, New York City Opera, Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, Opera Zuid of Holland, Connecticut Opera, and the Pittsburgh Opera. Ms. Stilwell steps out of the opera hall and onto the cabaret stage with all of her usual elegance, wit and aplomb. The result is Carmen Unzipped, a CD with writer and pianist Patti Loach. It’s a live show that unzips our perceptions of how a diva should sound…or look…or behave.
Jean spends a lot of her time teaching and singing and equally loves attending Opera, concert, dance and theatre. Last Spring Jean performed with the Toronto Operetta Theatre singing Victor Davies, ‘Ernest, The Importance of Being’. She has also recently toured with Ben Heppner, Gary Relyea and Rebecca Caine singing the program, Some Enchanted Evening, to sold out houses, including the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Jean is also a co-host of Classical Mornings with Mike and Jean, weekdays from 6am until 10am on THE NEW CLASSICAL 96.3 FM.