BiogrAphy
As a young artist with Chicago Opera Theater Lani was featured in the roles of Anna Gomez The Consul, Isolt The Love Potion, and appeared in Il Pigmalione & Rita, Fairy Queen, and The Perfect American. Also in Chicago she has performed the roles of Donna Anna Don Giovanni with Petite Opera, and the title role in Suor Angelica with Opera West.
Lawrence A. Johnson of Chicago Classical Review lauded Lani’s Isolt; “The young soprano displayed a bright, youthful tone with pinpoint clarity and even projection throughout her range, and was always dramatically credible in her understated acting.”
Lani had the immense honor of singing for the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg as part of her lecture tour at the Auditorium Theater. Awards include The American Prize Winner, Musicians Club of Women Ginger Meyer Scholarship in Voice, the Sinfonietta Bel Canto Emerging Artist 1st place award, and the 1st place in the highest division of the NATS competition.
Lani is an alumna of Roosevelt University Professional Diploma in Opera studies, University of Michigan Master of Music in vocal performance, and University of Cincinnati Bachelor of Music in vocal performance.
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Production Photos
Chicago Opera Theater The Consul by Menotti. November 2017. Rich Hein Photography
Chicago Opera Theater The Love Potion by Frank Martin. October 2016. Liz Lauren Photography
Portraits by Rose Photo | www.rose.photo
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Press
“Lani Stait’s appealing Anna Gomez…completed the cast with distinction. ”
“Lani Stait an effective Anna Gomez
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“Lani Stait was impressive in the role of Isolde. The young soprano displayed a bright, youthful tone with pinpoint clarity and even projection throughout her range, and was always dramatically credible in her understated acting.
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“[Lani Stait] is most expressive as the tormented heroine.
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“All of the singers expressed their characters very well, but one cast that has done an exceptional job was Ms. Lani Stait, who played the role of Mrs. De Rocher, or Joseph’s mother. This role was a difficult one to play – from receiving demeaning comments from the victims’ families to dealing with the dilemma of knowing how kind her son actually is compared to the terrible crime he has committed, this character is loaded with emotions that are difficult to act out, especially for a college-aged singer. She truly became the character, and sang her heart out. Her strength and struggles truly hit my heart.
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