Praised for her “ravishing voice” and “compelling” stage presence [San Diego Story], Turkish-American soprano Öznur Tülüoğlu, (Oz) is establishing herself as a young, rising artist “destined for bigger things,” [San Diego Tribune].
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Last season highlighted Oz’s versatility with notable roles including Gilda at Mobile Opera, Younger Alyce in Glory Denied at Annapolis Opera, Aspasia in Mitridate at Opera Neo, and Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro at Annapolis Opera. Additionally, she made a notable appearance at the Washington National Opera, premiering the role of The Pigeon in Carlos Simon’s new children’s operetta, Don’t Let the Pigeon Sing Up Late!, alongside Renée Fleming and Mo Willems.
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Oz was honored with an Encouragement Award at the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (Colorado–Wyoming District).
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In Summer 2024, Oz joined Chautauqua Opera as an Apprentice Artist, where she performed the roles of Young Woman in the world premiere of A.E. Reverie, Camila in Pepito, and Sandman in Hansel and Gretel. She also served as the Soprano Soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.
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Oz began the 2022/2023 season making her international debut performing the role of Sandrina in a co-production of La finta giardiniera with Opera Neo and The Hungarian State Opera. Afterwards, she joined Opera Neo as an Apprentice Artist in their San Diego summer festival. She also performed the role of Micaela with Loudoun Lyric Opera’s production of Carmen.
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Biography
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Oz is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Maryland Opera Studio with her Master of Music in opera performance where she studied under the tutelage of Gran Wilson. Notable engagements she performed with the opera studio includes Mrs. Coyle in Britten’s Owen Wingrave alongside the National Orchestral Institute, and Arminda in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera. She also premiered the role of Woman 1 in the new work Four Freedoms by Joseph C. Phillips during her time at MOS.
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Oz has achieved recognition as a finalist in the esteemed competitions; Jensen Foundation Competition, Opera Mississippi John Alexander National Vocal Competition and Music International Grand Prix competition. In 2022, she won 3rd place at the AIMS in Graz Vocal Competition. Recently, she was awarded the encouragement award from The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Colorado-Wyoming district.
As a Maryland local, Öznur makes appearances around the DMV area performing in various settings. She has appeared with The Little Patuxent Opera Institute to perform the role of Adina in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.
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Oz earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at the New England Conservatory where she made her operatic debut as Damigella in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea.
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Her enthusiasm for score study expands to music theory, as Oz worked with published musicologist, Deborah Stein, in completing a minor in music theory with a focus on Schubert Lieder during her studies at NEC.
