Viva Voce Artists
Michael Robert-Broder
Alexandra Delle Donne
Joshua Clemenger
Chelsea Melamed Cushman
Jennifer Tung
Conductor
Ivan Estey Jovanovic
Pianist
Michael Robert-Broder
Toronto based baritone, Michael Robert-Broder (He/Him) is an engaging performer who has crafted an enviable career balanced between recital, oratorio, and opera engagements.
Described as “smooth mellifluous baritone of a Gerald Finley or a Hermann Prey” (barczablog.com - Fidelio), he has specialized in the performance of German language opera and lieder above all else. As Faninal in Der Rosenkavalier he “sang an impressive “Ein ernster Tag, ein grosser Tag” (ludwig-van.com) and as Jochanaan he gave “a stunningly lyrical reading of this role…singing a smoothly lyrical line throughout, putting out a fabulous wall of sound from time to time, always on pitch and never harsh sounding.” (barczablog.com). In his portrayal of Nabucco he “sang solidly and with emotional range too.” (operaramblings.blog), as Dr. Falke he was praised for his “warm baritone” (Opera Canada), and in his premiere of The Ecstasy of Rita Joe he “fashioned a brilliantly conflicted Magistrate, stern and compassionate, cynical and resigned” (operagoto.com)
Upcoming engagements include Handel’s Messiah, Donizetti’s Elisabetta, Debussy’s La Chute de la maison Usher, a recital of songs on texts by Pablo Neruda, Barber’s cantata The Lovers, Janacek’s Vec Makropulos, Dvořák’s Jacobin, and a recording of music for voice and organ.
Alexandra Delle Donne
Canadian-Italian soprano Alexandra Delle Donne received her Graduate Degree in Historical Performance from the University of Toronto in 2021. This past season Alexandra was a featured soloist with the Edison Singers in both Faure’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah, as well as singing in their Rachmaninoff Vespers, and Folk Song series. She will be performing and recording with them this coming season.
Alexandra performed with Toronto City Opera in Mozart’s Don Giovanni as part of the chorus, as well as playing Donna Elvira’s maid. She also had the pleasure of performing the role of Frosch in their 2023 production of Die Fledermaus.
Alexandra continues to perform in local festivals as a featured performer. Her performances include the Guelph’s Multicultural Festival, Mohak’s Diversity Festival in Toronto, and Guelph’s Hillside Inside.
She performed with COSA where she premiered as Cosmetician #2 in Palej’s The Art of Love in 2021. She was also involved with COSA Creates, where she sang in multiple concerts throughout the season.
Alexandra made her debut as a lead in Vera Causa Opera’s (now known as Fuse) film production of Humperdincks' Hansel and Gretel, as Gretel. The performance is still on YouTube for all to enjoy!
She previously performed with Opera In Concert (OIC) and Toronto Operetta Theatre (TOT) under the direction of Guillermo Silva-Marin and Robert Cooper.
Joshua Clemenger
Tenor Joshua Clemenger began his training at The Theatre Aquarius Performing Arts Programme in Hamilton Ontario, where he performed in Miss Saigon, Chess, and Grease. He received a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Western Ontario, and then spent 4 years living and teaching abroad before returning to earn a Master’s degree in Opera from the University of Toronto. Joshua now runs a thriving vocal studio while continuing to perform around Ontario. He made his debut with Toronto City Opera in Die Fledermaus as Alfred.
Recent opera credits include; Colin in L’Amant Anonyme, with Opera in Concert, Jupiter in Orpheus in the Underworld with Toronto Operetta Theatre, Jo the loiterer in Mother of us All (OIC), L’abete in Adriana Lecouvreur (OIC), Luiz in Gondoliers (TOT), Camille in The Merry Widow (Opera York) Alfredo in La Traviata (SOLT), Fatty in Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (OIC), Count Belfiore in La Finta Giardiniera (UofT Opera), Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte (La Musica Lirica), and Ralph in TrypTych opera’s production of H.M.S. Parliament.
Chelsea Melamed Cushman
Mezzo-Soprano Chelsea Melamed Cushman has been described as being “delightful as one hopes for Cherubino…Her first-act aria captured the breathless perfection of Mozart’s portrayal of adolescent emotions.” Pittsburgh Tribune
Chelsea’ 2023 season includes role debuts of Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus with Toronto City Opera and the titular role in Cenerentola with COSA Canada. An avid performer of new music, Chelsea created the role of Jiyan in the 2019 world premiere of Leanna Kirchoff's Friday After Friday. For Opera Santa Barbara’s 2018 season, she performed Dinah in Trouble in Tahiti, Mrs. Noye in Britten's Noye's Fludde, and Javotte in Manon. Other featured roles include the creation of Firdaus Noman in the world premiere workshop of Perla’s Shalimar the Clown at Cincinnati Opera, and Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro for Pittsburgh Festival Opera.
Equally at home on the concert stage, Chelsea presented the Canadian premiere of Jake Heggie's Camille Claudel: Into the Fire in Toronto and virtually in collaboration with SparrowLive. Chelsea has been a featured recitalist with SongFest, Toronto Summer Music, and the Carnegie Hall Notables Soirée. Chelsea is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Conservatory and Lawrence University