About Marie
Hailed by The New York Times as “immensely likable” with a “warm, fresh soprano,” Marie Masters Webb continues to be recognized for her command of both standard and under-performed works, as well as her dynamic acting abilities.
"This emancipated Rosina came across as immensely likable in Marie Masters's portrayal, whose warm and fresh soprano was one of the stronger voices in the cast"
- The New York Times
In fall of 2022, Marie sang Ariadne in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS with Vashon Opera, where she triumphed as Santuzza in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA in November, 2021.
Marie was Santuzza in Barn Opera’s critically acclaimed 2022 film of CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, and later that summer sang the role of Gertrud (Mutter) in HÄNSEL UND GRETEL with Summer Opera Tel Aviv. Marie returns to Barn Opera as Floria Tosca in TOSCA in fall 2022.
She covered the role of Lady Macbeth in MACBETH as a 2019 Resident Artist at Opera North, and sang Lady Billows in ALBERT HERRING with Utopia Opera in New York City. Additional season highlights include covering the title role in MADAMA BUTTERFLY with North Shore Opera, as well as the title role in TOSCA with Vashon Opera.
Marie took on the lead role of Stephana in Giordano’s SIBERIA with Teatro Grattacielo. She also won critical acclaim in the title role of Hiram Titus’s ROSINA with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, and in her role debut as Lady Billows in ALBERT HERRING with Vashon Opera. Previous season highlights include the role of Mrs. Ford in a rare production of Antonio Salieri’s FALSTAFF with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, for which she won rave reviews. Parterre Box declared “while her high notes were fearless and beautiful, Masters’ lower voice was irresistible and sexy, and the transition from one range to another seamless and smooth. A first-rate singer and comedienne, she would be adorable in any Rossini, Mozart or Donizetti comedy, and her diction, in both Italian and German, is impeccable.”
Marie created the role of Jeanette in the newly-discovered classical opera L’AMANT ANONYME with Little Opera Theatre of New York, and returned to LOTNY as Tess in Carlisle Floyd’s MARKHEIM. The Cleveland Plain Dealer called Marie “as feisty and endearing a Susanna [LE NOZZE DI FIGARO] as you’re likely to find,” and her “truly magnificent” performance of Frasquita in CARMEN with Opera Western Reserve was declared “proof that even ‘smaller’ parts can generate tons of star power” (Cool Cleveland). Marie made her New York City debut in the role of Ännchen in DER FREISCHÜTZ with Eve Queler and Opera Orchestra of New York, and returned to the company to sing Pisana in I DUE FOSCARI.
"While her high notes were fearless and beautiful, Masters’ lower voice was irresistible and sexy, and the transition from one range to another seamless and smooth."
- Parterre Box
An Ohio native, her appearances with The Cleveland Orchestra include the soprano solos in VIVALDI’S GLORIA and in Stravinsky’s LE ROSSIGNOL and FOUR RUSSIAN PEASANT SONGS under the baton of Pierre Boulez. She also sang the Trainbearer in ELEKTRA with Franz Welser-Möst, and was the soprano soloist in FAURE’S REQUIEM with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra.
Marie holds a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory, a Master of Music from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and a Certificate in Fundraising from New York University.