Ruth Ann Swenson

Ruth Ann Swenson (born August 25, 1959) is an American soprano who is renowned for her coloratura roles.

Early years Born in Bronxville, New York and raised in Commack, New York on Long Island, Swenson studied at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and briefly at Hartt College of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut. In the early 1980s she joined the Merola Opera Program at the San Francisco Opera and toured the country as Gilda in Western Opera Theatre's Rigoletto.

Career Swenson made her San Francisco Opera debut in 1983, as Despina in Mozart's Così fan tutte. But her breakthrough role was Dorinda the shepherdess in Handel's Orlando opposite mezzo Marilyn Horne. Her Metropolitan Opera debut came in 1991, as Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni. In 1993, she won the Richard Tucker Music Foundation Award. The March 17 performance was broadcast internationally. On April 21, 2007, she performed the role of Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare at the Met. However, Swenson was unhappy with Metropolitan's General Manager Peter Gelb's apparent decision not to use her as much as his predecessor Joseph Volpe had. Also in 2008, she sang Violetta at the Metropolitan Opera.

On July 6, 2008, Swenson was awarded the San Francisco Opera Medal, the company's highest artistic honor. According to David Gockley, General Director of the San Francisco Opera, "Swenson has had a long and illustrious history with this Company, and we are thrilled to honor her significant contributions to San Francisco Opera and the performing arts in this way."

Swenson is married to baritone David Burnakus.

Discography Marilyn Horne: Divas in Song, RCA Victor Red Seal CD Ruth Ann Swenson: Positively Golden, EMI Classics CD Gounod: Roméo et Juliette, RCA Victor CD

Videography James Levine's 25th Anniversary Metropolitan Opera Gala (1996), Deutsche Grammophon DVD, B0004602-09