About Cornelia

Biography

Praised for their "rich sound" and "remarkable agility" (Brooklyn Daily Eagle), mezzo-soprano Cornelia Lotito spent the 2022-2023 season as an emerging artist with Opera Idaho where they performed the roles of 2nd woodsprite and the Turnspit in Rusalka, Berta in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia and covered Rosina. Additionally, they covered the role of Alisa (Lucia di Lammermoor) with Druid City Opera. In 2022, they spent the summer as a young artist with Pittsburgh Festival Opera, performing in scenes as Carmen (Carmen), Giovanna Seymour (Anna Bolena), and several others. Previously, they were  a resident artist at Indianapolis Opera, where they starred in the company's double-bill of Hans Krasa's Brundibar & Lori Laitman's Holocaust oratorio Vedem. While at Indianapolis Opera, they covered the role of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and Nettie in Carousel. They also premiered the role of Janis in Marc Hoffeditz's virtual micro opera U-Hauling with Black Sheep Contemporary Ensemble.

Previously, they performed the role of Stephano in Romeo and Juliet as a part of Knoxville Opera’s Studio Artist program and covered the role of Delores in the premiere of Frank Pesci’s Royal Flush with Marble City Opera. Currently based in New Jersey, Cornelia has performed with several NJ companies. In 2019, they performed the role of Dorabella in a concert production of ​Così fan tutte with Light Opera New Jersey. They also performed the title role in La Cenerentola and Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte with Opera Theatre of Montclair and Berta in The Barber of Seville with Light Opera New Jersey. They have sung with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, performing the mezzo-soprano solo in Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

A two-time Metropolitan Opera Regional Finalist, Lotito most recently won the Idaho-Montana District of the 2023 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, as well as the Indiana District in 2022. Previously, they won an Encouragement Award from the 2021 Tennessee District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, as well as an encouragement award from the Gerda Lissner Foundation and several first place NATS awards. They were named a finalist in the 2021 Camerata Bardi International Vocal Competition, 2021 and 2022 SAS Performing Arts Vocal Competition, and 2021 Camille Coloratura Awards, and a Contract Winner in Piccola Opera's 2021 Opera Idol Competition. They were also a semi-finalist in the 2021 and 2022 Premiere Opera Foundation Vocal Competitions, and the 2023 Camille Coloratura Awards. 
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They were most recently the alto soloist in Mozart’s Missa Brevis in B flat with Critical Mass Vocal Artists, and in Handel’s Messiah with South Orange Symphony. They will return to Opera Idaho to reprise their role as Stephano in Romeo et Juliette this coming February. 

Press Kit

Press

Two artists had previous experience with their roles, and it showed. Mezzo Cornelia Lotito gave an assured turn in the trousers role of Romeo’s page, Stéphano, [their] plush tone and pert delivery easily nailing the famous aria, Que fais-tu, blanche tourterelle?

— James Sohre, Opera Today

​“Mezzo-soprano Cornelia Lotito did a remarkable job with the pants role of Stephano”

— Alan Sherrod, Arts Knoxville

"But without a strong Cinderella the production would falter. Fortunately Lotito’s sweet face is matched by [their] clear, strong soprano. You could hear sighs in the audience when [they]shaped a strong note that lingered"

— ​Gwen Orell, Montclair Local

"Cornelia Lotito sang “Una voce poco fa” from Rossini’s “Barber of Seville.” [Their] flexible mezzo was rich in sound, had volume to spare and remarkable agility easily negotiating this Rossinian terrain. "

— Nino Pantano, Brooklyn Daily Eagle

"Cornelia Lotito, mezzo soprano, sang “Parto, Parto” from “La Clemenza di Tito” with Mozartian agility and flair. [Their] encore, "Sexy Lady," (Moore) was a combination of Broadway brass entwined with Mozart melodies and was a revelation of [their] versatility."

— Nino Pantano, Brooklyn Daily Eagle

"Vocal honors Sunday afternoon fell to Karen Levandoski and Cornelia Lotito, superb choices, both."

— Richard Carter, Examiner.com