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Soprano Ilah Raleigh’s talent for languages and passion for other cultures have propelled her into a career in opera and recital. Having originally studied and then performed as a mezzo-soprano with such notable opera companies as Washington National Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, and Orlando Opera, Ms. Raleigh is poised to make the transition to soprano. A recent graduate of Orlando Opera’s Resident Artist program, Ms. Raleigh looks forward to performing in new venues in the United States. In Winter and Spring of 2008, Ms. Raleigh plans to perform a vibrant recital program of Spanish, French, and Italian songs in Florida and Minnesota.

As one of four Resident Artists with Orlando Opera this past year, Ilah Raleigh was a favorite of audiences as Edith in Pirates of Penzance and Kate Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, both at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, and Paquette in Candide at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. Ms. Raleigh shared the stage with the Orlando Philharmonic in multiple Young People Concerts, which exposed Orlando school children to classical music and dance. In addition, Ilah Raleigh was a featured performer with the Vero Beach Opera, Monticello Opera House, Chipola College Artist Series, Celebration Concert Series, Daytona Symphony Guild, the Orlando Opera Guild, and the Mt. Dora Yacht Club.

Ilah Raleigh toured extensively across the state of Florida with “Opera Orlando on Tour.” She shared her love and enthusiasm for the art of opera with thousands of school children performing the roles of Second Lady and Papagena in The Mini Magic Flute and Ruth, the Major General, and Edith in Pirates!, a condensed version of the Pirates of Penzance. Ms. Raleigh also sang, danced and acted in Passion, Power and Peril, a dynamic show comprised of opera and musical theater solos and ensembles that was a favorite with opera lovers throughout Central Florida.

A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ms. Raleigh holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Peabody Conservatory and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in Italian Studies (BA) from the University of Minnesota.