Biography
San Francisco Bay Area native and mezzo-soprano, Leora Gilgur, has been hailed for her “three dimensional sound” and “undeniable stage presence”. In the 2024-2025 season, Leora was excited to take on the eccentric role of Old Lady in Bernstein's Candide and participate as a Voice Fellow at Opernfest Prague. In the 2021-2022 season, Leora debuted the role of Hansel in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel (2021). Other favorite roles include Prince Charmant in Massenet's Cendrillon (2019) and Dido in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas (2018). She has also appeared as Fidalma in Cimarosa’s Il matrimonio segreto as well as Dorabella in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte at the Chicago Summer Opera (2021).
In concert, Leora was the Alto Soloist for Handel’s holiday oratorio, The Messiah, at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. Her young artist training programs include the Collaborative Piano Institute Vocal Academy in Louisiana, Chicago Summer Opera, and the Bel Canto Boot Camp Skill Set Summer, led by Rachelle Jonck.
Leora has participated in masterclasses with Stephanie Blythe, Paul Groves, Kathleen Kelly, Martha Guth, Martin Bakari, Warren Jones, and Martin Katz, who coined her "Chest-voice Queen". She has been a participant in the Collaborative Piano Institute where she premiered many original chamber music compositions. Leora reprised her professional debut role of Hansel in Hansel and Gretel at Chicago Summer Opera and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her favorite roles performed include Dido in Dido and Aeneas by Purcell, as well as, Prince Charmant in Cendrillon by Massenet.
Leora was introduced to opera at a young age when her family took her to see Carmen at the San Francisco Opera; however, growing up, she took to musical theatre and jazz. Her love for the performing arts made her venture out and pursue many different aspects of performance, such as teaching, which made her love the art even more, and eventually, she found her niche in the operatic arts.
Leora has graduated with an M.M. in Vocal Performance at her alma mater, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, under the tutelage of mezzo-soprano, Cathy Cook.
Download Leora's Resume:
