Biography

Portune’s “portrayal of feminine temptation and desire was beautifully sung and acted. She took over the stage with gusto.”

Since her professional debut as VALENCIENNE in The Merry Widow with Lyric Opera San     Diego, soprano Laura Portune has captivated audiences throughout the United States and Europe with her powerful voice and expressive stage presence.  Her many roles include MUSETTA in La Bohème, GILDA in Rigoletto, ROSINA in The Barber of Seville, JULIETTE in Romeo et Juliette, CUNEGONDE in Candide, GRETEL in Hansel and Gretel, ADINA in L’elisir d’amore, SUSANNA in Le Nozze di Figaro, SOPHIE in Der Rosenkavalier, POPPEA in L’incoronazione di Poppea, ZERLINA in Don Giovanni, DESPINA in Così fan tutte, CLORINDA in La Cenerentola,  and LAURETTA in Gianni Schicchi with such companies as San Diego Opera, Dayton Opera, Opera Columbus, Des Moines Metro Opera, Lake George Opera, Lyric Opera San Diego, and the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra.  A natural at the comedic Gilbert and Sullivan style, Portune has charmed audiences with MABEL in The Pirates of Penzance, PHYLLIS in Iolanthe, and GIANETTA in The Gondoliers to great acclaim. 

In concert appearances, Ms. Portune has performed with the North Czech Philharmonic, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, Southern Illinois Symphony, and in Gala Performances with Opera Columbus, Lake George Opera, and Lyric Opera San Diego.  Portune has sung with such conductors as Richard Bonynge and Edoardo Müller and worked closely with composers Peter Schickele and John Corgliano. 

In 2005, Ms. Portune created and recorded the role of JOHNSY in the World Premiere of Gary Pappach’s The Last Leaf with the Severoceska Filharmonie (Teplice, Czech Republic) under Maestro Charles Olivieri-Munroe.  Additional recordings include a cd of spiritual songs “Joy on Earth” (Taize Press) with the Taize Comunaute in Cluny, France, musical theatre selections on “Broadway” (Düsing), and the creation of the role JULIETTE MOUSE in Animal Opera by Myron Fink, as well as solo recordings with composers Kurt Erickson and Paul Johnson.

Ms. Portune holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame (BA in Music, cum laude), and The Ohio State University (MM in Voice), as well as a Certificate of Language and Culture from the prestigious L’Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Italy.  A district finalist for the Metropolitan National Council Auditions and finalist for Chicago Lyric’s LOCAA Apprenticeship, Ms. Portune has been a young artist with San Diego Opera, Lake George Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, and the Opera Theatre of Lucca in Italy.  A native of Dayton, OH, Ms. Portune makes her home in New York City. 

Teaching credits include Visiting Professor of Voice and Opera at the University of Notre Dame, private Vocal Instructor in Perugia, Italy and New York City, and Stage Director in St. Louis, MO and at the Southern Illinois Music Festival.  Ms. Portune has given information classes and master classes in universities around the United States as well as in France, Austria, and Italy.  Recently Ms. Portune has helped to bring music to inner-city elementary students with the Education Through Music program in New York City.     

Upcoming performances include FRASQUITA in Carmen with Des Moines Metro Opera, ZERLINA in Don Giovanni with Dayton Opera, and the SHEPHERD BOY in Tännhauser.