Marion Newman is Kwagiulth and Stó:lō First Nations with English, Irish, and Scottish heritage. Born in Bella Coola, Marion grew up in Sooke, B.C., immersed in and embraced by her community and culture. She is one of Canada’s most accomplished singers in repertoire ranging from Charpentier to Cusson and operatic roles including Carmen and Rosina (The Barber of Seville). Nominated for a Dora Award for her leading role in the world premiere of Shanawdithit (Nolan/Burry) with Toronto’s Tapestry Opera, Ian Ritchie wrote “she invests her character with towering dignity and courage.”

Recent performances include Songs from the House of Death (Cusson) with Regina Symphony and Beethoven’s Ninth with Symphony Nova Scotia. With Opera Kelowna, Marion performed with soprano Melody Courage in Wreckonciliation, approaching classical opera works through an Indigenous lens.

Marion created the role of Dawn with the Welsh National Opera world premiere of Migrations (Todd) and portrayed Isabelle Eberhardt in Missy Mazzoli’s Song from the Uproar with City Opera Vancouver. This season, Marion is Maddelena in Rigoletto with Pacific Opera Victoria. Upcoming new works include Mimi in Indians on Vacation, an operatic adaptation (Cusson/Vavrek) of the novel by Thomas King, with Edmonton Opera.

A driving force for truth and reconciliation within the context of classical music, she is helping lead colleagues and audiences through long overdue discussions about the very nature of what it means to call something “Canadian music.”

Marion is Assistant Professor of Voice at University of Victoria’s School of Music and is the host of CBC’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera.

As Isabelle Eberhardt in Song from the Uproar with City Opera Vancouver: “Newman’s portrayal of Eberhardt is nuanced and powerful, capturing the essence of a woman who lived ahead of her time and defied societal norms with unbridled courage. Supported by the ethereal voices of the chorus, Newman’s performance immerses the audience in a rich tapestry of emotions, leaving them spellbound till the very end.” – Blogger Elke, Westcoast German News Media

“Beautiful tone, clear diction, a sharp intelligence, but above all, warmth, made Marion Newman an outstanding heroine.” – Elizabeth Paterson, Review Vancouver