Biography

Native New Yorker Perri Sussman is a versatile mezzo-soprano who has performed repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary. She has been on the rosters of prestigious companies including New York City Opera Renaissance, St. Petersburg Opera Company, Long Island Lyric Opera, dell'Arte Opera Ensemble, Bronx Opera Company, and Dicapo Opera Theatre. Her roles include Angelina in La Cenerentola, Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Hansel in Hansel und Gretel, Mercedes in Carmen, Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte, Javotte in Manon, Flora and Annina in La Traviata, Paggio in Rigoletto, La Suora Infermiera and Una Conversa in Suor Angelica, and Third Spirit in The Magic Flute. She made her debut with St. Petersburg Opera Company as Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. For this performance, she was nominated by Theatre Tampa Bay for an Outstanding Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical.  She performed Rosa Sacco and Celestino Medeiros in the orchestral premiere of Sacco and Vanzetti with the After Dinner Opera Company. She debuted the role of Alzubra in the world premiere of Made in America: The Interview with OperaOggiNY at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in New York City. For this performance, she was hailed as a “rich mezzo” and “a highlight of the evening” (Voce di meche). She performed the Princess in the English language premiere of Dargomyzhsky's Rusalka. She was one of the vocal soloists in the world premiere of Gilbert and Sullivan the Ballet! with Dances Patrelle. She made her international debut with Brott Opera in Ontario, Canada covering Mercedes in Carmen as well as appearing in the chorus.

Ms. Sussman was an Apprentice Artist with Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point where she performed Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte and Charlotte in A Little Night Music. Ms. Sussman has also made appearances with the New York Lyric Opera Theatre as Grimgerde in Die Walküre, Una Conversa in Suor Angelica, Le Prince Charmant in Cendrillon, and Tessa in The Gondoliers in such venues as the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, and the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Hall at Symphony Space.

Ms. Sussman received the Lynne Strow Piccolo award in the 2023 American Opera Idol Competition presented by Opera Connecticut. She was awarded Special Mention in the 2022 Medici International Music Competition, the 2022 Amadeus International Music Awards, and the 2022 BTHVN Wien Competition. She was named a winner in the 2017 Riverside Opera Company vocal competition. She was named the 2012 Grand Prize Winner in the voice category of the Ensemble 212 Young Artist Competition. She was a finalist in the 2012 New York Lyric Opera Theatre Vocal Competition. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in the 2011 Master Singer Finalist Concert for the Nico Castel International Master Singer Competition. 

Ms. Sussman earned her Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music where she performed Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Un Pâtre in L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Westminster Choir College where she performed La Chatte in L’Enfant et les Sortilèges and covered Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro. She received the Lucille and Leo Martin Scholarship award after winning first place in the 2005 Westminster Scholarship Voice Competition. She has appeared in master classes led by Martina Arroyo, Margaret Lattimore, Ken Benson, Sesto Quatrini, Mark Markham, Scott George, and Willie Anthony Waters.

Ms. Sussman currently resides in New York City and studies voice with Mark Oswald.