Maria Natale, acclaimed Italian American soprano and alumna of the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, has been named one of just six recipients of the prestigious UT Alumni Promise Award. Granted by the UT Knoxville Alumni Board of Directors, the award recognizes alumni age 40 or younger who have demonstrated distinctive achievement early in their careers, civic involvement, or both.
“When I got the email, I was completely shocked,” Natale said. “I know everyone says they’re honored, but I truly am. My first thought was, ‘Me?’ Out of all the incredible alumni across the university, to be selected for this is so affirming. I’ve just been focused on doing the work I love, and this recognition has given me such encouragement to keep going.”
A Rising Force in Opera
Since earning her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the college (then the School of Music) in 2012, Natale has become a commanding presence in the world of Opera. Praised by The New York Times for her “plummy, penetrating voice,” she has captivated audiences with both her vocal brilliance and dramatic stage presence.
Her artistry has earned accolades from the James Collier Foundation, Joan Sutherland Foundation, Gerda Lissner Foundation, Loren L. Zachary Competition, and Olga Forrai Foundation, among others.
Natale has brought to life some of opera’s most iconic heroines, including Mimì in La Bohème, Nedda in Pagliacci, and the title roles in Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, and Tosca. She has performed with companies such as Opera San José, Sarasota Opera, Opera Maine, Vero Beach Opera, Opera Festival of Chicago, and Cedar Rapids Opera.
Her portrayal of Floria Tosca drew praise from Opera News for her “powerful soprano that effortlessly filled the house,” while her Sarasota Opera debut as Liù in Turandot was lauded for its “unequivocal Italian sound.” As Lady Macbeth in Macbeth by Ernest Bloch, critics hailed her for delivering “high-voltage vocal thrills” with a “merciless stage presence.”
Roots at Rocky Top
Natale credits her time at the University of Tennessee as transformative both personally and artistically.
“My years at UT were truly the best of my life,” she said. “It’s where I made lifelong friends and grew tremendously as a vocalist. I’m so grateful to [former] Professor Andrew Wentzel for recruiting me from southern California to ‘this little program in Knoxville, Tennessee.’ He saw something in me that others didn’t, and it changed the course of my life. And Professor Eileen Downey created an environment where I felt safe to take risks, make mistakes, and grow. Twelve years later, they’re both still dear to me.”
In a full-circle moment, both Downey and Wentzel joined Natale at the awards ceremony on Friday, September 19, to celebrate her achievement.
A Culture of Support and Excellence
“It’s stories like Maria’s, where a strong, supportive professor-student relationship helps launch an extraordinary career, that reflect the culture we’ve always fostered here,” said Jeffrey Pappas, founding dean of the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. “We are so proud of her accomplishments and honored to call her one of our own. Her career is a powerful example of what’s possible with determination and passion for the art.”
Contact:
Alissa Galyon
(865) 974-8935, [email protected]