Praised by Opera News for her “distinctive lower voice,” rising French-American mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche (rhymes with posh) is highly coveted for her “richly colored mezzo" [South Florida Classical Review] and “explosively elegant” stage presence [Memphis Flyer]. Upcoming performances include Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia with both Florida Grand Opera and Gulfshore Opera, Isabella in L’italiana in Algeri with St. Petersburg Opera Company, and the Alto Soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Palm Beach Symphony.

 

Recently as Ariodante with Opera Neo, The San Diego Union-Tribune stated, “Extraordinary singing by Stephanie Doche. She looked the part of the dashing hero to boot. She easily navigated difficult runs and conquered vocal challenges with bravura.” 2022 also brought Ms. Doche’s return to Opéra Louisiane as Nicklausse/Muse/Mother in Les Contes d’Hoffmann.

 

In 2021 Ms. Doche performed the title roles of Carmen, La Cenerentola, and Serse with Mobile Opera, Pacific Opera Project, and Opera Neo, respectively. Critics exclaimed, “[As Serse] mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche confidently sailed through acres of fioritura. In addition to such facility, she revealed a stunning, bright upper range that should make most sopranos jealous.” [San Diego Story], and “a charming performance by Stephanie Doche as Cenerentola whose warm mezzo and impressive range give an intimation of purpose under the fragility of the downtrodden heroine.” [Stage and Cinema]. 2021 also brought Ms. Doche’s return to Opera Memphis to perform Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Scalia/Ginsburg (Derrick Wang).

 

Ms. Doche was a second year member of the Florida Grand Opera Studio for the 2021-22 season appearing as Maddalena and Giovanna in Rigoletto, Narciso in Agrippina, and Eunice Hubbell in A Streetcar Named Desire. Of her previous 2021 performance in Florida Grand Opera’s Trouble in Tahiti, “Stephanie Doche conveyed Dinah’s despair at the loving warmth she once felt slipping away. Her smoky mezzo and luxuriant lower register radiated.”[South Florida Classical Review]. In the same season she was featured as Pamela/Mama in Daron Hagen’s New York Stories, as well as Rosine in Thomas Pasatieri’s Signor Deluso, the latter praised for her “nimble vocalism with deft comic timing.”

 

2020 anticipated role debuts of both Flora Bervoix in La traviata and Siébel in Faust with Florida Grand Opera. Ms. Doche was also meant to reprise Dorabella in Così fan tutte with Pacific Opera Project in Los Angeles. All were canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Critically acclaimed for her “triumphant” portrayal as Angelina, Ms. Doche performed as La Cenerentola with both Opéra Louisiane and Opera Neo in 2019. During the 2018-2019 season she was a Handorf Company Artist with Opera Memphis, successfully performing the wide-ranging roles of Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, Cousin Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore, and Toledo in The Falling & the Rising (professional premiere).

 

In 2018, Ms. Doche garnered recognition for her “boldly convincing trouser role” [San Diego Story] as Idamante in Idomeneo with Opera Neo. Other full roles performed include Dorabella in Così fan tutte,  Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Mère Marie in Dialogues des Carmélites, Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte and La Suora Zelatrice in Suor Angelica. Stephanie also performed as Meg March in Little Women under the guidance and high praise of the opera’s composer, Mark Adamo.

 

Ms. Doche has been a featured soloist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Riverdale Choral Arts Society, and at Crosstown Arts. She has received awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council and Beethoven Club of Memphis.

 

She was born in Nice, France to an American mother and Canadian father. When she was four years old, Ms. Doche and her family moved to Rochester, New York, where she was raised.