A native of Chicago, Ms. Keske has sung with opera companies and symphony orchestras over wide areas of the United States and abroad with such companies as the Rome Festival in Italy, the Anchorage Opera, the Bel Canto Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony, the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra, the Midwest Composer's Symposium in Iowa City, the St. Barthelemy Music Festival in the French West Indies and many others.
Her operatic appearances have included such leading roles as Bruennhhilde in Wagner's Siegfired and Goetterdaemerung, Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos, Leonore in Beethoven's Fidelio, Desdemona in Verdi's Otello, Sieglinde in Die Walkuere by Wagner, Contessa in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus by J. Strauss, and a wide range of other roles in five languages.
Her engagements in the realm of oratorio include many regional choral societies and orchestras which offered her the opportunity to work with such noted conductors as Margaret Hillis, Raymond Leppard and Daniel Barenboim.
Ms. Keske now resides in New York City and was a semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and a finalist in the prestigious Liederkranz Foundation Competition.
"Soprano Kathleen Keske was a superlative performer, registering her
concern with both manner and voice."
-- Home Reporter and Sunset News (Brooklyn, NY)
"Kathleen Keske made a strong and poignant Mother and her vibrant
soprano bespoke her frustration, not only with her children's antics,
but with family's poverty"
-- Boro Park Community News (Brooklyn, NY)
"Three gave outstanding performances... Soprano Kathleen Keske
eased her way into a remarkable rendition of the title role (Fidelio).
She and Ward received numerous bravos for their efforts."
-- Anchorage Daily News
"Her interpretation was flawless, both visually and vocally."
-- Brooklyn Spectator
"The first of the revolving casts is excellent (led by Gannon
McHale as Werther and Kathleen Keske as Charlotte)."
-- The Westsider (New York, NY)
"Buone anche le voci e la prestazione di Kathleen Keske..."
-- Corrire Dell' Umbria (Rome, Italy)
"Kathleen Keske was equal to Dinah's temperament and tessitura.
Her tour de force, the "Island Magic" scene, was delivered with
its Cole Porterish Broadway sizzle intact, and her rendition of
the Puccini-like "There is a Garden" ... was sincere and never
soporific."
-- The Reader (Chicago, IL)