Baylor Opera Theatre

After an amazing five days in Boston at the National Opera Association national conference, we're excited to share that we won second place in both Opera Division I and II in the Robert Hansen Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition (out of 41 entries!); four of our students sang in masterclasses for industry leaders; eight of our students presented peer-reviewed research posters, and two of our students won first place in the undergraduate division of the juried poster presentation awards!

We performed, presented, learned, listened, networked, laughed, and saw Boston. We're so thankful for our time at the 2026 National Opera Association national conference! Now for a week of rest before the spring semester begins. Sic 'em! 💚 💛 🐻

Our final artist of Notes On Viardot appears in so many different roles, it's difficult to keep track of him! In his Baylor Opera Theatre debut, Nathan Clark appears as an opera singer in the employ of the Garcia family, a bandit in Mexico, the Emperor of Russia, and Robert Schumann. We're thrilled to have Nathan with us - don't miss him in Notes On Viardot at 3pm today!

Nathan Clark, tenor, is pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance at Baylor University, where he studies with Dr. Mark Diamond and sings in the Baylor A Ca****la Choir under Dr. Kristina MacMullen. A two-time TMEA All-State Choir member, Nathan has performed with the Kansas State University Summer Choral Institute and the Houston Grand Opera’s Bauer Family High School Voice Studio. As a member of the St. Paul’s Choral Scholars, he toured Austria in 2024. Nathan has received recognition as the Bay Area Chorus Ralph & Richard Parr Music Excellence Winner and as a prizewinner in competitions with Houston Grand Opera and Houston Masterworks Chorus.

When the Garcia family went to New York to perform, and then on to Mexico, Pauline was only about five years old, but the trip made a tremendous impression on her, and her recollection of the voyage marks Notes On Viardot's introduction of the Garcia family.

Pauline Viardot had many students throughout her illustrious career. One student, Désirée Artôt, was a Belgian soprano who was famed in German and Italian opera and sang mainly in Germany. In 1868 she was engaged, briefly, to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who may have coded her name into works such as his First Piano Concerto and the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture. While the Notes On Viardot character is not meant to directly represent Madame Artôt, it is not hard to see where the character of this voice student and family friend may have gotten her name.

In the roles of Youngest Pauline and Désirée, we're thrilled to welcome Caroline Holt in her first appearance with Baylor Opera Theatre!

Caroline Holt is a soprano from Plano, Texas, and this is her Baylor Opera debut! She has performed with various choral ensembles for the last eight years, and has had the honor of being a part of the Texas All-State Treble choir as well as the region honor choirs in her hometown. She is a student of Dr. Mark Diamond, Assistant Professor of Voice at Baylor University, and she is currently a member of Baylor’s Concert Choir.

The criticism Pauline Viardot received during her career centered on her appearance, the unique timbre of her voice, and her powerful dramatic style, which some found unconventional. These criticisms often came wrapped in backhanded compliments that highlighted her talent while still holding her to traditional 19th-century feminine standards. Viardot faced intense rivalry with other performers, such as soprano Giulia Grisi, who was among the leading sopranos of the 19th century. Although the character Giulia is not meant to be a representation of Giulia Grisi, this certainly informs the character's name. In the role of Giulia, we're excited to welcome Monica Malas back to the BOT stage!

Monica Malas, a soprano and senior Church Music major, has been actively involved in opera since 2023. Under the mentorship of Mark Diamond, Monica has cultivated a strong foundation in vocal artistry and interpretation. Her operatic repertoire includes performances in Luisa Fernanda, Hansel und Gretel, Speed Dating Tonight!, and Cendrillon, showcasing her versatility across both classical and contemporary works. With a passion for sacred music and dramatic storytelling, Monica continues to refine her artistry as she prepares for a career that bridges spiritual expression and operatic excellence.