From: Los Angeles, California. LA Opera: Inez in Dulce Rosa (2013, debut); numerous roles to date including the Third Lady in The Magic Flute (2014, 2016), Flora in La Traviata (2014, 2019), La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi (2015); Sarah Osbourne in anatomy theater (2016); Paquette in Candide (2018); Purpose in Las Tres Mujeres de Jerusalén (2022). Upcoming: Mrs. Noah in Noah's Flood (2024).
Peabody Southwell has established herself as a multifaceted artist in a range of creative endeavors. As a Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano recognized for her “stylistic mastery and ripe, sensual sound” (Opera magazine, UK), she has performed principal roles for LA Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Carnegie Hall, Seattle Symphony, LA Philharmonic, New World Symphony and San Francisco Symphony and has been conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, James Conlon, John Adams and Robert Spano.
She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2018 in Nico Muhly's Marnie.
A champion of new music, she is slated to premiere works for composers Ashley Fure, Ted Hearne, Laura Kaminsky and Jodie Landau. A native of Los Angeles, she frequently appears with LA Opera. Most notably, she performed the central role in the 2016 world premiere of David Lang's anatomy theater, in an "electrifying" (Wall Street Journal) performance, leading Musical America to note, "Southwell gave another demonstration as to why she has become one of the most fearless, versatile young singing actresses on the stage today." As a director, designer and dramaturg she prioritizes bold collaboration across the arts in productions, installations and experimental events described by the Los Angeles Times as "the future of classical music."
