Laura McHugh, a “jaw-droppingly talented” (The Boston Globe) soprano “ready for heavenly ascent” (Boston Musical Intelligencer) lauded for her “superb, floating” sound (Melrose Free Press) recently won 1st Place in the Classical Singer National Competition, 1st Place in the Vermont Vocal Competition, and 2nd Place in Classical Idol (VOX New England). Known for her penchant for “hilarious interpretation” (Voce di Meche), she recently created comedic roles in two World Premiere Operas: The Reaper in Reap What You Soul (a ‘90s pop-diva inspired take on the Angel of Death) and Hannah in Non Motus (who panics when nature inevitably calls during an extended traffic jam). Continuing to make her mark in the realm of contemporary opera, Laura has also appeared in John Corigliano’s The Lord of Cries (nominated for the 2024 GRAMMY Award - Best Opera Recording), Tobias Picker’s Awakenings (Rose cover/East Coast Premiere/recording) and Emmeline (Emmeline cover/Harriet Mosher- cancelled due to Covid-19), and Dominick Argento’s The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe (Mrs. Poe cover/recording).

Operatic roles include the titular roles in Rusalka, Suor Angelica, and Gräfin Mariza, as well as Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Mimì and Musetta (La bohème), Countess Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Giulietta (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Vitellia (La clemenza di Tito), and Micaëla and Frasquita (Carmen). She recently made her European and Wagnerian debuts as the Valkyrie Gerhilde in a touring production of Die Walküre in Sweden. Oratorio credits include Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Mozart Requiem, Fauré Requiem, Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Vivaldi Gloria, and Handel Messiah. 

A performer with strong musical theatre chops, she recently flexed her crossover muscles as Florinda in Into the Woods with Tulsa Opera, where she also served as a Filstrup Resident Artist. Laura recently appeared as the Beggar Woman in Opera51’s Sweeney Todd. She appeared in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s inaugural Boston production of A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Fezziwig, a role she will return to this winter.