More about Barbara
Canadian mezzo-soprano Barbara King is a commanding stage presence known for her “exquisite vocal command of a three-octave range” and her rare blend of artistry, athleticism, and dramatic intensity. A former Québec Provincial Gymnastics Champion, Barbara brings exceptional physicality to roles such as Carmen, Dalila, Prince Orlofsky, Octavian, and Mercédès.
She has performed across Canada and Italy with companies and ensembles including Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera, Opera Kelowna, Alberta Vocal Arts, Calgary Civic Symphony, Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, Marquis Chamber Orchestra, Opera by Request, Mercury Opera, Straight Up Opera, Divas Opera, and the Amalfi Coast Music Festival.
As Artistic Director of Calgary Concert Opera Company, Barbara continues to champion ambitious concert opera productions and collaborative performance projects. Highlights include producing and performing in Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi, Suor Angelica by Giacomo Puccini, and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with Marquis Chamber Orchestra, as well as co-producing An Afternoon at the Opera with the Calgary Civic Symphony at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in February 2026. Upcoming engagements include Santuzza in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana with Alberta Vocal Arts.
Barbara has become especially known for her dynamic portrayal of Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, a role she has performed annually with Alberta Vocal Arts since 2023, showcasing both her vocal versatility and gymnastics background.
In 2024, she appeared as Mercédès in Carmen with Manitoba Opera, earning praise for her dance skills and “hugely powerful and affecting voice,” and concluded the year performing in Christmas and Neujahrskonzert with the Divas with the Calgary Civic Symphony at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.
Highlights from 2023 included reprising the role of Sara, Duchess of Nottingham in Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux with CLM Production, concert performances with Summer on 17th Ave, the role of Princess de Bouillon in Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur with CCOC and Opera by Request, and appearances in Verdi-ssimo with Alberta Symphony Orchestra.
In 2022, Barbara made her debut as a guest soloist with Straight Up Opera in Verdiana! and Sur un air d’opéra au CAVA. Additional performances included Sara in Roberto Devereux in Calgary and Toronto, outdoor concerts with Summer on 17th Ave, Bella Italia with Divas Opera, and A Divas Christmas with the Calgary Civic Symphony.
Ms. King made her debut as a soloist singing in two Music in the Air concerts with the Alberta Symphony Orchestra in 2021, and organized and performed in the Opening Act for Pierrot Lunaire. Divas Opera returned to the stage where Barbara helped produce and perform in Encore! Divas Opera Live!, Favourite Opera Arias & Duets and ended the year performing in 'A Divas Opera Christmas' presented by Rise Up Weekends!. Calgary Concert Opera celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary on September 25th, 2021 at the Polaris Centre for the Performing Arts.
In light of the pandemic, Barbara went virtual in 2020 where Divas Opera released six "Physically Distant" duets, performed in a live stream concert (#bandtogetherproject) and pre-taped concert for Spruce Meadows Canada Day celebration with Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, produced and performed in one of the only live performances with an audience in September 2020 (The Show Must Go On) and in August 2021 (Encore!) Divas Opera Live), and released seven online Christmas duets. Calgary Concert Opera Company was featured in an RPAC@ Home Concert Series Virtual Christmas Concert. In 2019/2020, Barbara sang the role of Dalila (Samson et Dalila) with Opera by Request and made her debut as a principle soloist with Calgary Civic Symphony (Sunday Afternoon at the Opera).
Previous performance highlights include Carmen with Opera Kelowna, Flora (La Traviata) and Mercédès (Carmen) with Manitoba Opera, earning praise for her dance skills and “hugely powerful and affecting voice", Olga (The Merry Widow) and The Confidante (Elektra) with Edmonton Opera; Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier) with Opera by Request; Dritte Dame (The Magic Flute) with Opera Kelowna and Cowtown Opera; Flora (La Traviata) with Mercury Opera; La Zia Principessa (Suor Angelica) and Romeo (I Capuleti ed I Montecchi) with Amalfi Coast Music Festival in Italy; Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) with Tuscia Opera Festival in Viterbo, Italy; Mistress Quickly (Falstaff) with Opera NUOVA; Countess Ceprano (Rigoletto) with Calgary Opera; Laura (La Gioconda), Dorabella (Cosí Fan Tutte), Maddalena (Rigoletto), Charlotte (Werther), Berta (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Frugola (Il tabarro) with Opera by Request and CCOC, and as a soloist with Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra.
Other performances include concerts at Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall, New York) with Opera Institute of California (San Jose); ; Felton Fleet Academy (Surrey, England); Neil Semer Vocal Institute, (Coesfeld, Germany); Canadian Vocal Arts Institute (Montréal); Fiamma and Alley Oop with Mercury Opera, and in an Opera/Oratorio called Expert Witness by Dean Burry at the Banff Centre for the Arts.
Barbara was named an Inspired Albertan by Darrel Janz in 2014 for her advocacy work with FearIsNotLove (formerly Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter). She is also a certified ISSA Professional Personal Trainer and Sports Nutrition Specialist, founder of B.A.B.S King Training, and an Opera NUOVA Alumni Mentor.
Reviews
"I was impressed by the very fine Octavian of Mezzo Soprano Barbara King, singing with a big, rich sound. Octavian is very long and very high but she was fully up to the task ... Danielle Dudycha (Sophie), together with King, sang a really beautiful Presentation of the Rose .. Wonderful singing by all the principles, with top honours to Barbara King as Octavian"
Joseph So, Musical Toronto
"I was struck by the outset of Barbara's musicianship, interpretive ability and her exquisite vocal command of a three octave range ... She possesses a warm, agile mezzo soprano voice, capable of handling the technical demands of the bel canto, as well as the stylistic and dramatic demands of a wide-ranging repertoire, from the Baroque to the contemporary"
William Shookhoff, Opera by Request
"Barbara King's Dorabella, particularly her early Act 1 aria "Smanie Implacabile" made an instant impact, and worked spledidly well in establishing the production's tone. Ms. King brought a well-heeled dramatic quality to her self absorbed hissy fit over her lover's sudden departure. Im grateful for the intense harmonic command Ms. King brought to her singing too. And her acting was consistently appropriate throughout every line of the opera"
Stephen Bonfield, Musicologist, Calgary Herald
"Barbara King's opening night performance as Carmen was, by all accounts, the highlight of the Colours of Music Festival. Beautifully sung, displaying a powerful low register and a glorious top, dramatically convincing and emotionally riveting, hers was a truly memorable performance which has audience members praising throughout the Festival and beyond"
William Shookhoff, Opera by Request